The Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located in the western 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: | LIM471 |
| Seat: | Marble Hall |
| Number of wards: | 16 |
| Total area: | 2,011 km² (776 square miles) |
| Population: | 132 468 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Given Marasekeng Hlalithi Moimana |
About
The Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is geographically located in the western region of the Sekhukhune District Municipality.
The municipality was established as Greater Marble Hall Local Municipality after the 2000 local election, with the amalgamation of Marble Hall, part of Moutse (West) Transitional Local Council (TLC), Leeuwfontein, a portion of Hlogotlou/Lepelle Transitional Rural Council (TRC), Greater Nebo North TRC, a portion of Naboomspruit/Roedtan Thusang TLC, and Springbokvlakte TLC.
However, after the approval of a name change by Members of the Executive of Limpopo Local Government and Housing, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality was officially declared in January 2010, replacing the name Greater Marble Hall Local Municipality.
The municipality is named after Ephraim Phumuga Mogale, a South African freedom fighter, a combatant for life, and a patriot to the end.
The Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality covers an area of 2,011 km² (776 square miles) making it the smallest local municipality in the Sekhukhune District.
The Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality to the east
- Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality to the south
- Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality in the Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the west
- Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality in the Waterberg District Municipality to the north
- Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality in the Capricorn District Municipality to the north
The administrative headquarters/seat of the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is in Marble Hall town, located at S 24°58′ 02, 6″ / E 29°17′ 38,0″ on the GPS coordinates.
Marble Hall is situated along the N11 corridor that connects Durban via Mpumalanga Province to Zimbabwe and Botswana via Limpopo Province. The town is located approximately 100 kilometres from Mokopane, 111 kilometres from Bela Bela, 112 kilometres from Middelburg, 150 kilometres from Polokwane (previously Pietersburg), and 150 kilometres from Pretoria.
The Municipality has three Satellite offices at Moganyaka (Leeuwfontein), Matlerekeng (Zamenkomst), and Elandskraal.
The municipality is divided into 16 wards, they were initially 14 but were increased during the 2011 local government elections.
Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality has one town, two R293 towns, and 75 villages.
The municipality is rich in cultural and historical heritage, as it lies ideally in the Cultural Heartland of the Sekhukhune District.
The municipality was a cross-border between Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. After the 2006 municipal elections, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality was incorporated into the Limpopo Province. The municipality is at the border of the two above-mentioned provinces.
The municipality was providing water to Marble Hall, Leeuwfontein, and Zamenkomst, which was later transferred to the Sekhukhune District Municipality.
The municipality is currently licensed to provide electricity to Marble Hall town, and other areas are provided for by Eskom. The municipality also provides solid waste to Marble Hall, Leeuwfontein, and Elandskraal, while the Sekhukhune District Municipality provides water and sanitation to all other areas.
Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is battling with a huge backlog in terms of sanitation, water provision, and road construction.
The average annual rainfall received in the region is about 634mm. Marble Hall boasts a pleasant climate, with an average maximum winter temperature of 23°C and an average maximum summer temperature of 29°C.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality has a population of 132 468 people, compared to 127,168 in 2016, and 123,648 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 0.67%.
According to the 2022 Census, 32% of the population is under the age of 15, 60% is between 15 and 64, and 8% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 97.8% of the population in the Ephraim Mogale 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, 78.8% of the population speaks Sepedi as their first language, 6.9% speak Xitsonga, 3.8% speak isiNdebele, 2.2% speak isiZulu, and 8.3% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality are tourism, agriculture, finance, mining, trade, construction, and transport.
Municipal council and management
The Ephraim Mogale municipal council is comprised of 32 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Sixteen councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 16 wards, while the remaining 16 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 19 seats on the council.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 19 – EFF: 7 – DA: 2 – INDEPENDENT: 2 – BPSA: 1 – VF PLUS: 1 |
| Controlling party | ANC |
| Executive Mayor | Given Marasekeng Hlalithi Moimana |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | n/a |
| Speaker | Rebecca Mmatawane Lentsoane |
| Chief Whip | Lina Magane |
| Other Council Members | – Philippus Rudolph Jacobs – Thabitha Manasoe – Ramaesela Mary Ramphela – Eunice Matodzi Tshiguvho |
| Municipal Manager | Mogobadi Moropa |
| Chief Financial Officer | Thabo Tumelo Modisane |
| Senior Management | Yvonne Mologadi (Director: Community Services) |
| Communications Officers | Percy Moagi (Manager: Communication) |
Contact details
The contact details of the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 111, Marble Hall, 0450 |
| Physical Address: | 13 Ficus Street, Marble Hall, 0450 |
| Telephone: | 013 261 8400 |
| Fax: | 013 261 2985 |
| Website: | www.ephraimmogalelm.gov.za |
| Traffic Department: | 013 261 1778 |
| Emergency Numbers | – Ambulance: 013 264 5146 – Sekhukhune Disaster Center: 013 261 8600 / 10111 – Sekhukhune Water: 013 261 1665 |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality.
- Marble Hall
- Elandskraal
- Leeuwfontein
- Schuinsdraai Nature Reserve
Tourism
The Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is the tourism hub of Sekhukhune District and it is situated near the Loskop Dam in Mpumalanga.
Three types of tourist attractions are available in the municipality and these include; culture and heritage, Ecotourism and game reserves, and Mining museums.
Below are the tourist attractions around Marble Hall;
- The Flag Boshielo Dam
- Loskop Dam
- The Loskop Aventura Resort
- Bush Fellows Game Reserve
- Matlala Aloe Park
- Crocodile Farm
- Boshielo Dam (Arabie Dam)
- Schiunsdraai Nature Reserve (Birding, Boating, fishing, braai facilities. Wildlife includes crocodile, kudu, impala, eland, and warthog. Accommodation available at Kwarihoek Bush Camp)
Sports
Local sports teams in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality include FC Maginim Ephraim Mogale, a football club.
