Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located in the southeastern region of the Waterberg District Municipality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B3 (small towns) |
| Province: | Limpopo |
| District: | Waterberg |
| Municipal code: | LIM368 |
| Seat: | Modimolle |
| Number of wards: | 14 |
| Total area: | 10,367 km² (4,003 square miles) |
| Population: | 130,113 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Sechele Sebolai |
About
The Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality is geographically located in the southeastern region of the Waterberg District Municipality.
The municipality was established after the August 2016 local elections by merging the Mookgophong and Modimolle local municipalities.
The Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality covers an area of 10,367 km² (4,003 square miles), making it the third-largest local municipality in the Waterberg District.
The administrative headquarters/seat of the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality is in Modimolle.
The municipality is divided into 14 wards.
The Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Mogalakwena and Lephalale Local Municipalities to the north
- Thabazimbi Local Municipality to the west
- Bela-Bela Local Municipality to the south
- Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality in the Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the south
- Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality in the Sekhukhune District Municipality to the south and southeast
- Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality in the Capricorn District Municipality to the east
Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality occupies a strategic position from the main markets of South Africa by being at the south entrance of the province.
It enjoys easy access from the main national roads, the N1 and R101. The visibility of Modimolle Mountain from the N1 north is inviting to curious tourists visiting the area.
The municipality is home to Nylsvlei Nature Reserve, which has Ramsar status, and the world-renowned Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.
The municipal area has mild winters and warm summers, with an average annual rainfall of 520mm to 650mm.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality has a population of 130,113 people, compared to 107,699 in 2016, and 104,153 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 2.16%.
According to the 2022 Census, 25.1% of the population is under the age of 15, 65.1% is between 15 and 64, and 9.8% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 81.2% of the population in the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 17.6% as White, 0.5% as Indian/Asian, and 0.4% as Coloured.
Economy
The main economic sectors of the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality are agriculture, government, business, and community services.
Municipal council and management
The Modimolle-Mookgophong municipal council is comprised of 28 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Fourteen councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 14 wards, while the remaining 14 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 14 seats on the council.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 14 – DA: 7 – EFF: 4 – VF PLUS: 3 |
| Controlling party | Hung Council |
| Executive Mayor | Sechele Sebolai |
| Speaker | Sinah Langa |
| Chief Whip | Sophy Dayimani |
| Other Council Members | – Dayimani – Lesiba William Kola (Exco Member) – Patrick Mashaba (Exco Member) – Grace Mashitisho (Exco Member) |
| Municipal Manager | NB Thobela |
| Chief Financial Officer | MJ Molekwa |
| Senior Management | – Magda Berrange (Social Services) – LHR Lubbe (Corporate Services) – Willy Magana (Technical) |
| Communications Officers | P Shika (Head: Communications) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality.
- Modimolle
- Mookgophong (Naboomspruit)
- Vaalwater
Contact details
The contact details of the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X1008, Modimolle, 0510 |
| Physical Address: | 52 Harry Gwala Street, Modimolle, 0510 |
| Telephone: | 014 718 2000 |
| Fax: | 014 717 4077 |
| Website: | www.mmlm.gov.za |
