It’s hard to believe that 2012 is behind us, the Libyan civil war has ended, and South Africa has managed to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) at such short notice. As we convey our complements of the new season with the first issue of Mbalo Brief in 2013, we would like to also remind you read more »
Phokwane Local Municipality incorporates the previous municipal areas of Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp, Ganspan and Pampierstad.
The Phokwane Municipality is named after Queen “Phokwane”, the wife of Kgosi Galeshewe of the Barolong boo Ra-Tlhaping tribe. Phokwane is nestled in the lush green delta of the Hartswater region and boasts the second largest irrigation scheme in the Southern Hemisphere, namely the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme.
The municipality has a total population of 61 321 inhabitants of whom the majority is found in the peri-urban areas of the municipality. A significant characteristic of the Phokwane population is the youth who account for 33% (ages 15–34) of the total population. The economy of Phokwane is based on agriculture, community development, retail, private household and informal sectors. These five sectors alone provide jobs to 11 160 persons within the municipal area. This accounts for 65% of employment within Phokwane.
In terms of agriculture Phokwane exports grape, citrus and olive products. The dominant languages in the area are Setswana, Afrikaans and Isixhosa with each of the languages having 70%, 25% and 5% users respectively.
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Gamagara Local Municipality comprises an area of 2 619 square kilometers, and is located in the north-eastern sector of the Northern Cape on the N14 between Upington and Vryburg. It is approximately 200km north-east of Upington and 280km north-west of Kimberley.
The municipal area of Gamagara consists of five towns:Kathu, Shesheng, Dibeng, Dingleton, and Olifantshoek, a large farming area and a considerable mining area. Kathu is the largest town within the municipality and is also the administrative center of the Gamagara Local Municipality. Olifantshoek is the second largest town and is located near the Gamagara River to the north-west of Kathu. Dingleton is the smallest of the five towns and is located in the centre of the mining activities directly south of Kathu.
Gamagara Municipality has grown from 23 202 people in 2001 to 41 617 people in 2011 (Census 2011).
read more »Swartland Local Municipality is situated in the West Coast District, bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the City of Cape Town in the south, the Cape Winelands District to the east and Saldanha Bay Municipality and Bergrivier Municipality to its north and northeast.
The largest towns in Swartland include Malmesbury, Moorreesburg, Darling, Riebeeck West, Riebeeck Kasteel and Yzerfontein. Malmesbury, as an administrative centre of the municipality, has a diversified economic base, which includes agriculture, as well as a diversified industrial sector and infrastructure, and although tourism does not currently play a major role, this avenue can be explored.
(Source: www.westerncape.gov.za)
read more »The Langeberg Local Municipality serves the towns of Ashton, Robertson, Montagu, Bonnievale and McGregor in the picturesque Breede River Valley/Klein Karoo area, where people still live close to nature. With majestic mountains on the one side and the ever-flowing Breede River on the other, the Langeberg area is a paradise for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. The Langeberg area is one of the largest wine-producing regions in South Africa. The area may be best known for its wine, but the variety of attractions and activities combined with spectacular scenery and the relaxed hospitality ensure visitors an unforgettable stay.
read more »The City of Cape Town as a municipal entity of today is just over ten years old. However, the Mother City has the oldest municipal structure in the country, going back to its first Council meeting held on 8 April 1652 – on a sailing ship anchored in Table Bay.
The Mother City is South Africa’s oldest city, with an area of 2 461 km2. It is the legislative capital of South Africa, the administrative and economic centre of the Western Cape Province.
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