The Mnquma Local Municipality is a Category B municipality within the Amathole District Municipality in the southeastern region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B4 (mostly rural) |
| Province: | Eastern Cape |
| District: | Amathole |
| Municipal code: | EC122 |
| Seat: | Gcuwa (Butterworth) |
| Number of wards: | 32 |
| Total area: | 3,137 km² (1,211 square miles) |
| Population: | 232,993 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Tunyiswa Manxila-Nkamisa |
About
The Mnquma Local Municipality is geographically located in the southeastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. It comprises an amalgamation of the former Butterworth, Centane, and Ngqamakhwe Transitional Regional Councils.
Mnquma Local Municipality comprises 32 wards and covers an area of 3,137 km² (1,211 square miles), making it the fourth-largest of six local municipalities in the Amathole District.
Mnquma Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Mbhashe Local Municipality to the east and north
- Intsika Yethu Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District Municipality to the northwest
- Amahlathi Local Municipality to the west
- The Great Kei Local Municipality to the south
- The Indian Ocean to the southeast
The administrative headquarters/seat of Mnquma Local Municipality is in Gcuwa (previously known as Butterworth), which is also the main business centre.
Other main cities or towns in the Mnquma Local Municipality are Ngqamakhwe and Centane.
The municipality is entrusted with the responsibility of performing vital functions as determined by the Municipal Demarcation Board. Most important among these are: Municipal Roads and Storm Water Pipe Network, Street Lighting, Electricity and Gas Reticulation, Land Use Management, Land Administration, Building Regulations, Human Settlements, Vehicles and Plant Maintenance, Cemeteries and crematoria, Waste Management, Sports Facilities, Amenities, Municipal Public Transport, Municipal Parks and Recreation.
However, due to the rural nature of the Mnquma Local Municipality and the huge backlog of basic services, there are limited resources available to address this service backlog and ensure that all households have access to appropriate service delivery.
The municipality, however, tries hard to ensure that each ward receives an infrastructure project based on the needs analysis in each financial year.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, Mnquma Local Municipality has a population of 232,993 people, compared to 246,813 in 2016 and 245,629 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of -0.51%.
According to the 2022 Census, 29.9% of the population is under the age of 15, 59.3% is between 15 and 64, and 10.8% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 99.4% of the population in Mnquma Local Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 0.2% as Coloured, 0.2% as White, and 0.1% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 96.1% of the population speaks isiXhosa as their first language, 1.4% speak English, and 2.5% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of Mnquma Local Municipality are community (government) services, wholesale and retail trade, tourism, and manufacturing.
Tourism
Tourism is a beneficial sector to the Mnquma Local Municipality. Attractions include Birding, Cultural significance, Bawa Falls, Gcuwa River Cascades, and Historical sights.
The town of Butterworth is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Visitors can go for day walks to the nearby villages such as Toboshana and experience the hospitality of traditional Xhosa culture.
Gcuwa Dam provides for a man-made lake, perfect for boating and fishing. Visitors to Butterworth will taste the flavour of a true South African experience.
Below is a list of all the major tourist attractions in the Mnquma Local Municipality;
- Battle of Centane Heroes Monument
- Bawa Falls
- Blythswood Institution
- Fort Ibika
- Gcuwa Dam
- Gcuwa River Cascades
- Govan Mbeki’s Home
- King Phalo’s Monument
- Maholwana Ntlangwini’s Grave
- Ngcayichibi’s Background
- Ngqamakhwe Caves
- Nongqawuse’s Pool
- Rev. Tiyo Soga’s Monument
- W. K. Tamsanqa’s Grave
Municipal council and management
The Mnquma municipal council is comprised of 63 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Thirty-two councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 32 wards, while the remaining 31 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 45 seats on the council.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 45 – EFF: 5 – UDM: 5 – ATM: 2 – PAC: 2 – AIC: 1 – BPM: 1 – COPE: 1 – DA: 1 |
| Controlling party | ANC |
| Executive Mayor | Tunyiswa Manxila-Nkamisa |
| Speaker | Monica Qaba |
| Chief Whip | Sithembiso Ncetezo |
| Other Council Members | Sisa Matutu (Portfolio Head: Strategic Management) Mr Luxolo Mgandela (Portfolio Head: Infrastructure Development) Mr Xabiso Mjamba (Portfolio Head: Community Services) Ms Phatheka Ntyinkala (Portfolio Head: Corporate Services) Ms Nomabhele Plaatjie (Portfolio Head: Local Economic Development ) Ms Zodidi Sobekwa (Portfolio Head: Budget and Treasury) |
| Municipal Manager | Silumko Mahlasela |
| Chief Financial Officer | Mzusekho Matomane |
| Senior Management | Sindiswa Benya (Director: Strategic Management) Adv Siphiwo Clifford Caga (Legal Advisor) Mr Mongi Dilika (Director: Local Economic Development and Planning) Ms V Mviko (Director: Corporate Services) Mr Bangikhaya Nohesi (Director: Infrastructural Development) |
| Communications Officers | Loyiso Mpalantshane (Spokesperson) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Mnquma Local Municipality.
- Gcuwa (formerly known as Butterworth)
- Kentani
- Ngqamakhwe
- Ndabakazi
Contact details
The contact details of the Mnquma Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 36, Butterworth, 4960 |
| Physical Address: | Cnr King and Umtata Street, Butterworth, 4960 |
| Telephone: | – 047 401 2400 – 047 050 1101 |
| Fax: | 047 491 0195 |
| Email: | – info@mnquma.gov.za – customercare@mnquma.gov.za |
| Website: | www.mnquma.gov.za |
