Matzikama Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located in the northern region of the West Coast District Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B3 (small towns) |
| Province: | Western Cape |
| District: | West Coast |
| Municipal code: | WC011 |
| Seat: | Vredendal |
| Number of wards: | 8 |
| Total area: | 12,981 km² (5,012 square miles) |
| Population: | 69,043 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Johan van der Hoven |
About
Matzikama Local Municipality is geographically situated in the northern part of the West Coast District Municipality, which is the northernmost part of the Western Cape province.
The word ‘Matzikama’ is of Khoekhoe origin, the first people of South Africa. It contains the Khoekhoe language words ma which means “give”, tsî which means “you”, and ǁgamma which means “water”, and loosely translates into “give you that water”.
The municipality covers an area of 12,981 km² (5,012 square miles) making it the largest local municipality in the West Coast District as it accounts for almost half of the district’s geographical area.
Matzikama Local Municipality stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the mountains of the Bokkeveld Escarpment in the east. The Olifants River flows through the southern part of the municipal area, while to the north lies the hilly area known as the Knersvlakte.
The municipality is divided into 8 wards.
Matzikama Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Cederberg Local Municipality to the south
- Hantam Local Municipality in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape Province to the east
- Kamiesberg Local Municipality in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape Province to the north
- The Atlantic Ocean to the west
Vredendal which is centrally situated in the valley of the Olifants River is the principal town and administrative headquarters/seat of Matzikama Local Municipality.
Other large towns in the municipality are Klawer situated upstream of Vredendal, Lutzville situated downstream from Vredendal, and Vanrhynsdorp to the northeast towards the escarpment. In the Olifants River valley, there are also smaller agricultural settlements at Ebenhaeser and Koekenaap. South of the mouth of the Olifants River are the coastal villages of Doringbaai and Strandfontein. The villages of Bitterfontein, Kliprand, Nuwerus, and Rietpoort are situated in the sparsely-populated Knersvlakte in the northern part of the municipality.
Matzikama is characterised by an arid environment but is served by the life-giving Olifants River. The river, with its associated canal systems, supports a flourishing agricultural sector that is primarily built on the cultivation of grapes for wine production.
Apart from those living in the newly incorporated area to the north, as well as in the towns of Doringbaai, Strandfontein, and Vanrhynsdorp, the rest of the population is concentrated along the river and canal system.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, Matzikama Local Municipality has a population of 69,043 people, compared to 71,045 in 2016, and 67,147 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 0.27%.
According to the 2022 Census, 25.3% of the population is under the age of 15, 68.3% is between 15 and 64, and 6.5% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 77.7% of the population in Matzikama Local Municipality describe themselves as Coloured, 11% as White, 10.2% as Black African, and 0.2% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 91.8% of the population speaks Afrikaans as their first language, 3.5% speak isiXhosa, 1.8% speak English, and 2.9% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of Matzikama Local Municipality are wholesale and retail trade, catering, accommodation, manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate and business services
Municipal council and management
The Matzikama municipal council is comprised of 15 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Eight councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 8 wards, while the remaining 7 are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – DA: 7 – ANC: 4 – EFF: 1 – GOOD: 1 – PA: 1 – VF PLUS: 1 |
| Controlling party | Hung Council |
| Executive Mayor | Johan van der Hoven |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | Amelia Job |
| Speaker | Andreas Sindyamba |
| Chief Whip | Davine Witbooi |
| Other Council Members | – Christo Boks (Mayco Member) – Monica Bottom – Stephanus Petrus Cornelissen (Mayco Member) – Cecil le Fleur – Johan Muller – Albie Pool – Sampi Tshabalala – Xolani Tshetu – Christoffel van der Westruis – Chris White (Mayco Member) |
| Municipal Manager | Lionel Phillips |
| Chief Financial Officer | Elrico Alfred |
| Senior Management | Mr Ruben Saul (Director: Community Services) |
| Communications Officers | – Phiwe Phillips – Esmarelda Seroon |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in Matzikama Local Municipality.
- Bitterfontein
- Doring Bay
- Ebenhaezer
- Klawer
- Kliprand
- Koekenaa
- Lutzville
- Molsvlei
- Nuwerus
- Putsekloof
- Rietpoort
- Stofkraal
- Strandfontein
- Vanrhynsdorp
- Vredendal
Contact details
The contact details of Matzikama Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal address: | PO Box 98, Vredendal, 8160 |
| Physical address: | 37 Church Street, Vredendal |
| Telephone: | 027 201 3300 |
| Fax: | 027 213 3238 |
| Website: | www.matzikamamunicipality.co.za |
