The Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located in the southern region of the Sekhukhune District Municipality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B4 (mostly rural) |
| Province: | Limpopo |
| District: | Sekhukhune |
| Municipal code: | LIM472 |
| Seat: | Groblersdal |
| Number of wards: | 31 |
| Total area: | 3,713 km² (1,434 square miles) |
| Population: | 288,049 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Magetle David Tladi |
About
The Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (formerly known as the Greater Groblersdal Municipality) is geographically located in the southern region of the Sekhukhune District Municipality.
The municipality is named in honour of Elias Motsoaledi, an anti-apartheid activist who was born in Phokoane in the Nebo District in Sekhukuneland (presently Limpopo).
Elias Motsoaledi was imprisoned for 26 years on Robben Island, together with the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and others.
The Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality covers an area of 3,713 km² (1,434 square miles) making it the second-largest local municipality in the Sekhukhune District.
The administrative headquarters/seat of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is in Groblersdal.
The municipality is divided into 31 wards.
The Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Ephraim Mogale and Makhuduthamaga Local Municipalities to the north
- Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality to the northeast
- Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the east
- Emakhazeni and Steve Tshwete Local Municipalities in the Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the south
- Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in the Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the southwest
- Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality in the Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the west
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality has a population of 288,049 people, compared to 268,256 in 2016, and 249,363 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 1.4%.
According to the 2022 Census, 31.5% of the population is under the age of 15, 60.9% is between 15 and 64, and 7.7% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 97.9% of the population in the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 1.6% as White, 0.2% as Indian/Asian, and 0.1% as Coloured.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 58.9% of the population speaks Sepedi as their first language, 14.9% speak isiNdebele, 8.9% speak isiZulu, 6.2% speak Setswana, and 11.1% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality are agriculture, community services, tourism, and land development.
Municipal council and management
The Elias Motsoaledi municipal council is comprised of 61 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Thirty-one councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 31 wards, while the remaining 30 are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
In the election of 1 November 2021, the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of 36 seats on the council.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 36 – EFF: 14 – DA: 4 – BPSA: 2 – MP: 2 – AFC: 1 – VF PLUS: 1 |
| Controlling party | ANC |
| Executive Mayor | Magetle David Tladi |
| Speaker | Junior Semole |
| Chief Whip | Msanyana Elias Nduli |
| Other Council Members | – Mathabathe Mohlamme Glyde (Exco Member) – Phetla Mannyana Grace (Political Head: Corporate Services) – Ramongana Nkitseng Jenneth (Political Head: Community Services) – Johan Pieter Kotze (Exco Member) – Ranala Maselopi (Exco Member) – Malope Samaria Mashilo (MPAC Chairperson) – Raymond Ndumiso Ndlovu (Political Head: Budget and Treasury) – Sibongile Beauty Nkosi (Political Head: Development Planning and LED) – Msiza Mothibe Rhodes (Political Head: Infrastructure Services) – Ramphisa Motiba William (Political Head: Executive Support) |
| Municipal Manager | Reginah Makgata |
| Chief Financial Officer | Kgaugelo Hutamo |
| Senior Management | – Jan Maboa (Acting: Corporate Services and Executive support) – Jubu Mahlangu (Customer Care) – Jonty Malaka (Infrastructure Services) – Walter Mohlala (Senior Manager: Community Services) – Labius Nkadimeng (Manager: Office of the Mayor) – Edger Sebei (Manager: LED) – Boredi Sethojoa (Acting Senior Manager: Development Planning) |
| Communications Officers | Simon Tshalabjane Makua (Manager: Public Relations) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality.
- Groblersdal
- Roossenekal
Contact details
The contact details of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 48, Groblersdal, 0470 |
| Physical Address: | 2 Grobler Avenue, Groblersdal, 0470 |
| Telephone: | 013 262 3056 |
| Fax: | 013 262 2547 |
| Website: | www.eliasmotsoaledi.gov.za |
| Police: | 013 262 8300 |
| Emergency: | 013 262 3024 |
| Fire: | 013 262 7300 |
| Hospital: | 013 262 3024 |
