Archaeological work at rock shelters in the Qacha's Nek district shows that people have lived there for more than 50 000 years. By the mid- 19th century the area was occupied by Baphuthi, and it is from one of these that the town derives its name. Qacha's Nek was founded to provide for the paying of taxes and issuing of passes in an area where the nearest government facility had previously been Moyeni. Closely adjoining the watershed between the waters of the Senqu (or Orange) system and those of the Mzimvubu catchment, Qacha's Nek later became a separate district.