Mzansi Mirror

Local Municipalities in South Africa

In South Africa, a local municipality or Category B municipality is a type of municipality that serves as the third level of local government and is the arm of government closest to the people.

Every district municipality in South Africa is divided into several local municipalities, thereby dividing the responsibility for municipal affairs between the district and local municipalities.

A local municipality may include rural areas as well as one or more towns or small cities.

South Africa has a total of 205 local municipalities, which are further divided into wards. Residents in each ward are represented by a ward councillor.

Local municipalities are governed by municipal councils which are elected by voters who live in that specific municipal area.

Local municipalities may include rural areas as well as 1 or more towns or small cities.

Local municipalities are primarily tasked with developing and implementing sustainable ways to:

  • Meet community needs and improve the quality of their lives with the provision of basic services
  • Provide a democratic and accountable government for local communities
  • Ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner
  • Promote social and economic development
  • Promote a safe and healthy environment
  • Encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in matters of the municipality

Classification

For statistical and analytical purposes, the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework (MIIF) – developed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in partnership with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) – classifies local municipalities in South Africa into four categories:

ClassDescriptionNumber (2024)
B1Local municipalities in this class are secondary cities and have the biggest budgets among all local municipalities in the country.19
B2These are local municipalities with a large town as the core.26
B3These are local municipalities with small towns, with a relatively small population and a significant proportion of urban population but
with no large town as the core.		99
B4These are local municipalities that are mainly rural with communal tenure
and with, at most, one or two small towns in their area.		61

List of local municipalities in South Africa

There are 205 local municipalities in South Africa and they are listed below.

NameCodeDistrictProvinceSeatArea (km²)Population (2022)
AbaQulusi Local MunicipalityKZN263ZululandKwaZulu-NatalVryheid4,314247,263
Chief Albert Luthuli Local MunicipalityMP301Gert SibandeMpumalangaCarolina5,559247,664
Alfred Duma Local MunicipalityKZN238uThukelaKwaZulu-NatalLadysmith3,764415,036
Amahlathi Local MunicipalityEC124AmatholeEastern CapeStutterheim4,505115,703
Ba-Phalaborwa Local MunicipalityLIM334MopaniLimpopoPhalaborwa7,489188,603
Beaufort West Local MunicipalityWC053Central KarooWestern CapeBeaufort West21,91772,972
Bela-Bela Local MunicipalityLIM366WaterbergLimpopoBela-Bela3,40664,306
Bergrivier Local MunicipalityWC013West CoastWestern CapePiketberg4,40770,276
Big 5 Hlabisa Local MunicipalityKZN276uMkhanyakudeKwaZulu-NatalHlabisa3,466131,755
Bitou Local MunicipalityWC047Garden RouteWestern CapePlettenberg Bay99265,240
Blouberg Local MunicipalityLIM351CapricornLimpopoSenwabarwana9,540192,109
Blue Crane Route Local MunicipalityEC102Sarah BaartmanEastern CapeKwaNojoli11,06849,883
Breede Valley Local MunicipalityWC025Cape WinelandsWestern CapeWorcester3,834212,682
Bushbuckridge Local MunicipalityMP325EhlanzeniMpumalangaBushbuckridge10,248750,821
Cape Agulhas Local MunicipalityWC033OverbergWestern CapeBredasdorp3,47140,274
Cederberg Local MunicipalityWC012West CoastWestern CapeClanwilliam8,00755,108
City of Matlosana Local MunicipalityNW403Dr Kenneth KaundaNorth WestKlerksdorp3,602431,231
Collins Chabane Local MunicipalityLIM345VhembeLimpopoMalamulele5,003443,798
Dannhauser Local MunicipalityKZN254AmajubaKwaZulu-NatalDannhauser1,707142,750
Dawid Kruiper Local MunicipalityNC087ZF MgcawuNorthern CapeUpington44,231125,744
Dihlabeng Local MunicipalityFS192Thabo MofutsanyanaFree StateBethlehem4,868130,434
Dikgatlong Local MunicipalityNC092Frances BaardNorthern CapeBarkly West7,31656,967
Dipaleseng Local MunicipalityMP306Gert SibandeMpumalangaBalfour2,64535,980
Ditsobotla Local MunicipalityNW384Ngaka Modiri MolemaNorth WestLichtenburg6,387164,176
Dr AB Xuma Local MunicipalityEC137Chris HaniEastern CapeNgcobo2,484132,799
Dr Beyers Naudé Local MunicipalityEC101Sarah BaartmanEastern CapeGraaff-Reinet28,653101,001
Dr JS Moroka Local MunicipalityMP316NkangalaMpumalangaSiyabuswa1,416324,855
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local MunicipalityKZN436Harry GwalaKwaZulu-NatalCreighton3,602128,565
Drakenstein Local MunicipalityWC023Cape WinelandsWestern CapePaarl1,538276,800
eDumbe Local MunicipalityKZN261ZululandKwaZulu-NatalPaulpietersburg1,94396,735
Elias Motsoaledi Local MunicipalityLIM472SekhukhuneLimpopoGroblersdal3,713288,049
Elundini Local MunicipalityEC141Joe GqabiEastern CapeNqanqarhu5,019141,762
eMadlangeni Local MunicipalityKZN253AmajubaKwaZulu-NatalUtrecht3,53936,948
Emakhazeni Local MunicipalityMP314NkangalaMpumalangaBelfast4,73650,165
Emalahleni Local MunicipalityEC136Chris HaniEastern CapeCacadu3,484128,873
Emalahleni Local MunicipalityMP312NkangalaMpumalangaeMalahleni2,678434,238
Emfuleni Local MunicipalityGT421SedibengGautengVanderbijlpark966945,650
Emthanjeni Local MunicipalityNC073Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapeDe Aar13,47246,587
Endumeni Local MunicipalityKZN241uMzinyathiKwaZulu-NatalDundee1,610100,085
Enoch Mgijima Local MunicipalityEC139Chris HaniEastern CapeKomani13,584297,055
Ephraim Mogale Local MunicipalityLIM471SekhukhuneLimpopoMarble Hall2,011132 468
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local MunicipalityLIM476SekhukhuneLimpopoBurgersford5,693575,960
Ga-Segonyana Local MunicipalityNC452John Taolo GaetseweNorthern CapeKuruman4,495117,454
Gamagara Local MunicipalityNC453John Taolo GaetseweNorthern CapeKathu2,64829,580
George Local MunicipalityWC044Garden RouteWestern CapeGeorge5,191294,929
Govan Mbeki Local MunicipalityMP307Gert SibandeMpumalangaSecunda2,955310,117
Great Kei Local MunicipalityEC123AmatholeEastern CapeKomga1,70035,990
Greater Giyani Local MunicipalityLIM331MopaniLimpopoGiyani4,172316,841
Greater Kokstad Local MunicipalityKZN433Harry GwalaKwaZulu-NatalKokstad2,68081,676
Greater Letaba Local MunicipalityLIM332MopaniLimpopoModjadjiskloof1,891261,038
Greater Taung Local MunicipalityNW394Dr Ruth Segomotsi MompatiNorth WestTaung5,639202,009
Greater Tzaneen Local MunicipalityLIM333MopaniLimpopoTzaneen2,897478,254
Hantam Local MunicipalityNC065NamakwaNorthern CapeCalvinia39,08522,281
Hessequa Local MunicipalityWC042Garden RouteWestern CapeRiversdale5,73371,918
Impendle Local MunicipalityKZN224uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalImpendle1,61036,648
Ingquza Hill Local MunicipalityEC153OR TamboEastern CapeFlagstaff2,477354,573
Inkosi Langalibalele Local MunicipalityKZN237uThukelaKwaZulu-NatalEstcourt3,399230,924
Intsika Yethu Local MunicipalityEC135Chris HaniEastern CapeCofimvaba2,873128,101
Inxuba Yethemba Local MunicipalityEC131Chris HaniEastern CapeNxuba11,66377,578
JB Marks Local MunicipalityNW405Dr Kenneth KaundaNorth WestPotchefstroom6,398212,670
Joe Morolong Local MunicipalityNC451John Taolo GaetseweNorthern CapeMothibistad20,180125,420
Jozini Local MunicipalityKZN272uMkhanyakudeKwaZulu-NatalJozini3,442199,153
Kagisano-Molopo Local MunicipalityNW397Dr Ruth Segomotsi MompatiNorth WestGanyesa23,827112,130
Kai !Garib Local MunicipalityNC082ZF MgcawuNorthern CapeKakamas26,37785,104
Kamiesberg Local MunicipalityNC064NamakwaNorthern CapeGaries14,20815,130
Kannaland Local MunicipalityWC041Garden RouteWestern CapeLadismith4,76531,986
Kareeberg Local MunicipalityNC074Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapeCarnarvon17,70110,961
Karoo Hoogland Local MunicipalityNC066NamakwaNorthern CapeWilliston30,23011,691
Kgatelopele Local MunicipalityNC086ZF MgcawuNorthern CapeDaniëlskuil2,47819,854
Kgetlengrivier Local MunicipalityNW374Bojanala PlatinumNorth WestKoster3,97354,759
Khâi-Ma Local MunicipalityNC067NamakwaNorthern CapePofadder15,7158,510
!Kheis Local MunicipalityNC084ZF MgcawuNorthern CapeGroblershoop11,10721,954
King Sabata Dalindyebo Local MunicipalityEC157OR TamboEastern CapeMthatha3,019476,558
Knysna Local MunicipalityWC048Garden RouteWestern CapeKnysna1,10996,055
Kopanong Local MunicipalityFS162XhariepFree StateTrompsburg15,64551,832
Kou-Kamma Local MunicipalityEC109Sarah BaartmanEastern CapeKareedouw3,64236,487
Kouga Local MunicipalityEC108Sarah BaartmanEastern CapeJeffreys Bay2,670107,014
KwaDukuza Local MunicipalityKZN292iLembeKwaZulu-NatalKwaDukuza735324,912
Laingsburg Local MunicipalityWC051Central KarooWestern CapeLaingsburg8,78411,366
Langeberg Local MunicipalityWC026Cape WinelandsWestern CapeAshton4,51894,045
Lekwa Local MunicipalityMP305Gert SibandeMpumalangaStanderton4,557119,669
Lekwa-Teemane Local MunicipalityNW396Dr Ruth Segomotsi MompatiNorth WestChristiana3,65459,815
Lepelle-Nkumpi Local MunicipalityLIM355CapricornLimpopoChuniespoort3,484284,404
Lephalale Local MunicipalityLIM362WaterbergLimpopoLephalale13,794125,198
Lesedi Local MunicipalityGT423SedibengGautengHeidelberg1,484132,783
Letsemeng Local MunicipalityFS161XhariepFree StateKoffiefontein9,82843,101
Madibeng Local MunicipalityNW372Bojanala PlatinumNorth WestBrits3,720522,566
Mafube Local MunicipalityFS205Fezile DabiFree StateFrankfort3,97161,150
Magareng Local MunicipalityNC093Frances BaardNorthern CapeWarrenton1,54626,816
Mahikeng Local MunicipalityNW383Ngaka Modiri MolemaNorth WestMahikeng3,646354,504
Makana Local MunicipalityEC104Sarah BaartmanEastern CapeMakhanda4,37697,815
Makhado Local MunicipalityLIM344VhembeLimpopoLouis Trichardt7,605502,397
Makhuduthamaga Local MunicipalityLIM473SekhukhuneLimpopoJane Furse2,110340,328
Maluti-A-Phofung Local MunicipalityFS194Thabo MofutsanyanaFree StatePhuthaditjhaba4,338398,459
Mamusa Local MunicipalityNW393Dr Ruth Segomotsi MompatiNorth WestSchweizer-Reneke3,61470,483
Mandeni Local MunicipalityKZN291iLembeKwaZulu-NatalMandeni545180,939
Mantsopa Local MunicipalityFS196Thabo MofutsanyanaFree StateLadybrand4,29155,897
Maphumulo Local MunicipalityKZN294iLembeKwaZulu-NatalMaphumulo896110,983
Maquassi Hills Local MunicipalityNW404Dr Kenneth KaundaNorth WestWolmaransstad4,67190,302
Maruleng Local MunicipalityLIM335MopaniLimpopoHoedspruit3,563128,137
Masilonyana Local MunicipalityFS181LejweleputswaFree StateTheunissen6,61863,800
Matatiele Local MunicipalityEC441Alfred NzoEastern CapeMatatiele4,352225,562
Matjhabeng Local MunicipalityFS184LejweleputswaFree StateWelkom5,690439,034
Matzikama Local MunicipalityWC011West CoastWestern CapeVredendal12,98169,043
Mbhashe Local MunicipalityEC121AmatholeEastern CapeDutywa3,303240,020
City of Mbombela Local MunicipalityMP326EhlanzeniMpumalangaMbombela7,141818,925
Merafong City Local MunicipalityGT484West RandGautengCarletonville1,631225,476
Metsimaholo Local MunicipalityFS204Fezile DabiFree StateSasolburg1,717158,391
Mhlontlo Local MunicipalityEC156OR TamboEastern CapeQumbu2,880186,391
Midvaal Local MunicipalityGT422SedibengGautengMeyerton1,722112,254
Mkhambathini Local MunicipalityKZN226uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalCamperdown86861,660
Mkhondo Local MunicipalityMP303Gert SibandeMpumalangaPiet Retief4,882255,411
Mnquma Local MunicipalityEC122AmatholeEastern CapeGcuwa3,137232,993
Modimolle-Mookgophong Local MunicipalityLIM368WaterbergLimpopoModimolle10,367130,113
Mogalakwena Local MunicipalityLIM367WaterbergLimpopoMokopane6,156378,198
Mogale City Local MunicipalityGT481West RandGautengKrugersdorp1,342438,217
Mohokare Local MunicipalityFS163XhariepFree StateZastron8,77636,968
Molemole Local MunicipalityLIM353CapricornLimpopoMogwadi3,628127,130
Moqhaka Local MunicipalityFS201Fezile DabiFree StateKroonstad7,925155,410
Moretele Local MunicipalityNW371Bojanala PlatinumNorth WestMakapanstad1,498219,120
Moses Kotane Local MunicipalityNW375Bojanala PlatinumNorth WestMogwase5,726265,668
Mossel Bay Local MunicipalityWC043Garden RouteWestern CapeMossel Bay2,001140,075
Mpofana Local MunicipalityKZN223uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalMooi River1,75733,382
uMsinga Local MunicipalityKZN244uMzinyathiKwaZulu-NatalTugela Ferry2,375206,001
Msukaligwa Local MunicipalityMP302Gert SibandeMpumalangaErmelo6,016199,314
Msunduzi Local MunicipalityKZN225uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalPietermaritzburg751817,725
Mthonjaneni Local MunicipalityKZN285King CetshwayoKwaZulu-NatalMelmoth1,63999,289
Mtubatuba Local MunicipalityKZN275uMkhanyakudeKwaZulu-NatalMtubatuba1,970215,869
Musina Local MunicipalityLIM341VhembeLimpopoMusina10,347130,899
Nala Local MunicipalityFS185LejweleputswaFree StateBothaville4,12990,561
Naledi Local MunicipalityNW392Dr Ruth Segomotsi MompatiNorth WestVryburg7,03063,755
Nama Khoi Local MunicipalityNC062NamakwaNorthern CapeSpringbok17,99067,089
Ndlambe Local MunicipalityEC105Sarah BaartmanEastern CapePort Alfred1,84187,797
Ndwedwe Local MunicipalityKZN293iLembeKwaZulu-NatalNdwedwe1,093165,826
Newcastle Local MunicipalityKZN252AmajubaKwaZulu-NatalNewcastle1,856507,710
Ngqushwa Local MunicipalityEC126AmatholeEastern CapePeddie2,11568,300
Ngwathe Local MunicipalityFS203Fezile DabiFree StateParys7,055134,962
Nkandla Local MunicipalityKZN286King CetshwayoKwaZulu-NatalNkandla1,828108,896
Nketoana Local MunicipalityFS193Thabo MofutsanyanaFree StateReitz5,61166,488
Nkomazi Local MunicipalityMP324EhlanzeniMpumalangaMalalane4,787591,928
Nongoma Local MunicipalityKZN265ZululandKwaZulu-NatalNongoma2,182225,278
Nquthu Local MunicipalityKZN242uMzinyathiKwaZulu-NatalNquthu1,962201,133
Ntabankulu Local MunicipalityEC444Alfred NzoEastern CapeNtabankulu1,385146,423
Nyandeni Local MunicipalityEC155OR TamboEastern CapeLibode2,474304,856
Okhahlamba Local MunicipalityKZN235uThukelaKwaZulu-NatalBergville3,971143,132
Oudtshoorn Local MunicipalityWC045Garden RouteWestern CapeOudtshoorn3,540138,257
Overstrand Local MunicipalityWC032OverbergWestern CapeHermanus1,675132,495
Phokwane Local MunicipalityNC094Frances BaardNorthern CapeHartswater82880,481
Phumelela Local MunicipalityFS195Thabo MofutsanyanaFree StateVrede8,19652,224
Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local MunicipalityMP304Gert SibandeMpumalangaVolksrust5,227115,304
Polokwane Local MunicipalityLIM354CapricornLimpopoPolokwane5,054843,459
Port St Johns Local MunicipalityEC154OR TamboEastern CapePort St. Johns1,291179,325
Prince Albert Local MunicipalityWC052Central KarooWestern CapePrince Albert8,15317,836
Ramotshere Moiloa Local MunicipalityNW385Ngaka Modiri MolemaNorth WestZeerust7,323161,605
Rand West City Local MunicipalityGT485West RandGautengRandfontein1,115334,773
Ratlou Local MunicipalityNW381Ngaka Modiri MolemaNorth WestSetlagole4,884128,766
Ray Nkonyeni Local MunicipalityKZN216UguKwaZulu-NatalPort Shepstone1,487362,134
Raymond Mhlaba Local MunicipalityEC129AmatholeEastern CapeKwaMaqoma6,357178,594
Renosterberg Local MunicipalityNC075Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapePetrusville5,52910,843
Richmond Local MunicipalityKZN227uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalRichmond1,23162,754
Richtersveld Local MunicipalityNC061NamakwaNorthern CapePort Nolloth9,60824,235
Rustenburg Local MunicipalityNW373Bojanala PlatinumNorth WestRustenburg3,416562,031
Sakhisizwe Local MunicipalityEC138Chris HaniEastern CapeCala2,31863,981
Saldanha Bay Local MunicipalityWC014West CoastWestern CapeVredenburg2,015154,635
Senqu Local MunicipalityEC142Joe GqabiEastern CapeLady Grey7,329147,073
Setsoto Local MunicipalityFS191Thabo MofutsanyanaFree StateFicksburg5,431127,918
Siyancuma Local MunicipalityNC078Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapeDouglas16,75353,165
Siyathemba Local MunicipalityNC077Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapePrieska14,72727,102
Sol Plaatje Local MunicipalityNC091Frances BaardNorthern CapeKimberley3,145270,078
Stellenbosch Local MunicipalityWC024Cape WinelandsWestern CapeStellenbosch831175,411
Steve Tshwete Local MunicipalityMP313NkangalaMpumalangaMiddelburg3,976242,031
Sundays River Valley Local MunicipalityEC106Sarah BaartmanEastern CapeNqweba5,99553,256
Swartland Local MunicipalityWC015West CoastWestern CapeMalmesbury3,707148,331
Swellendam Local MunicipalityWC034OverbergWestern CapeSwellendam3,83547,114
Thaba Chweu Local MunicipalityMP321EhlanzeniMpumalangaMashishing5,719109,223
Thabazimbi Local MunicipalityLIM361WaterbergLimpopoThabazimbi11,19065,047
Theewaterskloof Local MunicipalityWC031OverbergWestern CapeCaledon3,259139,563
Thembelihle Local MunicipalityNC076Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapeHopetown8,02322,542
Thembisile Hani Local MunicipalityMP315NkangalaMpumalangaKwaggafontein2,384431,248
Thulamela Local MunicipalityLIM343VhembeLimpopoThohoyandou2,642575,929
Tokologo Local MunicipalityFS182LejweleputswaFree StateBoshof9,32629,455
Tsantsabane Local MunicipalityNC085ZF MgcawuNorthern CapePostmasburg18,29030,969
Tswaing Local MunicipalityNW382Ngaka Modiri MolemaNorth WestDelareyville5,875128,672
Tswelopele Local MunicipalityFS183LejweleputswaFree StateBultfontein6,52456,896
Ubuhlebezwe Local MunicipalityKZN434Harry GwalaKwaZulu-NatalIxopo1,669133,032
Ubuntu Local MunicipalityNC071Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapeVictoria West20,39315,836
Ulundi Local MunicipalityKZN266ZululandKwaZulu-NatalUlundi3,250221,977
Umdoni Local MunicipalityKZN212UguKwaZulu-NatalScottburgh994156,443
uMfolozi Local MunicipalityKZN281King CetshwayoKwaZulu-NatalKwaMbonambi1,300159,668
uMhlabuyalingana Local MunicipalityKZN271uMkhanyakudeKwaZulu-NatalKwaNgwanase4,977191,660
City of uMhlathuze Local MunicipalityKZN282King CetshwayoKwaZulu-NatalRichards Bay1,233412,075
uMlalazi Local MunicipalityKZN284King CetshwayoKwaZulu-NatalEshowe2,214241,416
uMngeni Local MunicipalityKZN222uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalHowick1,520105,069
uMshwathi Local MunicipalityKZN221uMgungundlovuKwaZulu-NatalWartburg1,866118,478
Umsobomvu Local MunicipalityNC072Pixley Ka SemeNorthern CapeColesberg6,81329,555
uMuziwabantu Local MunicipalityKZN214UguKwaZulu-NatalHarding1,089115,780
Umvoti Local MunicipalityKZN245uMzinyathiKwaZulu-NatalGreytown2,705142,042
uMzimkhulu Local MunicipalityKZN435Harry GwalaKwaZulu-NataluMzimkhulu2,436220,620
Umzimvubu Local MunicipalityEC442Alfred NzoEastern CapeKwaBhaca2,579214,477
Umzumbe Local MunicipalityKZN213UguKwaZulu-NatalUmthwalume1,221139,045
uPhongolo Local MunicipalityKZN262ZululandKwaZulu-NatalPongola3,110151,541
Victor Khanye Local MunicipalityMP311NkangalaMpumalangaDelmas1,568106,149
Walter Sisulu Local MunicipalityEC145Joe GqabiEastern CapeBurgersdorp13,269104,213
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local MunicipalityEC443Alfred NzoEastern CapeBizana2,415350,000
Witzenberg Local MunicipalityWC022Cape WinelandsWestern CapeCeres10,753103,765

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➜ District Municipalities in South Africa

➜ Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa

➜ List of all Municipalities in South Africa

➜ List of South African Municipalities under Administration

➜ List of South Africa’s Provinces