The Mopani Municipality (MDM) is a Category C municipality situated in the eastern region of the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Mopani District Municipality
| Type of municipality: | District (Category C) |
| Province: | Limpopo |
| Municipal code: | DC33 |
| Seat: | Giyani |
| Local municipalities: | 5 |
| Total area: | 20,011 km² (7,726 square miles) |
| Population: | 1,372,873 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Pule Josiah Shayi |
About
The Mopani District Municipality is geographically situated in the eastern part of the Limpopo province.
The District’s headquarters/seat is in Giyani.
After the 12th amendment to the Constitution of South Africa, which led to the elimination of Bohlabela District Municipality, the area of the former district which contained the Kruger National Park was incorporated within the districts of Mopani and Ehlanzeni.
The Mopani District Municipality covers an area of 20,011 km² (7,726 square miles) making it the second-smallest district in Limpopo Province.
The District is divided into five local municipalities namely;
- Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality
- Greater Giyani Local Municipality
- Greater Letaba Local Municipality
- Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality
- Maruleng Local Municipality
The Mopani District Municipality is bordered by Vhembe District Municipality to the north, Capricorn District Municipality to the west, Sekhukhune District Municipality to the southwest, Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga to the south, and the Republic of Mozambique to the east.
The District has 16 urban areas (towns and townships), 354 villages (rural settlements), and 125 wards.
The District is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and provides easy access to the northern section of the Kruger National Park.
The Mopani District Municipality boasts remarkable tourist attraction landmarks and is home to the world-renowned Rain Queen of the Balobedu people, the wildlife haven of Ba-Phalaborwa and Maruleng (including the ‘Big Five’), giant baobabs, the tropical paradise of Tzaneen, the Baleni hot mineral spring, Manombe Nature Reserve,
The region also boasts several historical, cultural, and ethnic attractions.
Map
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Mopani District Municipality has a population of 1,372,873 residents, compared to 1,159,185 in 2016, and 1,092,507 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 2.22%.
According to the 2022 Census, 33.2% of the population is under the age of 15, 60.4% is between 15 and 64, and 6.4% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 97.5% of the Mopani District Municipality population describe themselves as Black African, 2% as White, 0.3% as Indian/Asian, and 0.2% as Coloured.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 45.9% of the population speaks Sepedi as their first language, 44.3% speak Xitsonga, 2.9% speak Sesotho, 2.1% speak Afrikaans, and 4.8% speak other languages.
Economy
The district’s main economic sectors are mining, community services, trade, finance, transport, agriculture, electricity, and construction.
District council and management
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 16 – EFF: 3 – CIVIC WARRIORS: 1 – DA: 1 |
| Controlling Party | n/a |
| Executive Mayor | Pule Josiah Shayi |
| Speaker | Martha Maswangayi |
| Chief Whip | Magdelene Lewele |
| Other Council Members | – Nyiko Baloyi (MMC: Economic Development, Housing and Spatial Planning) – Nomsa Khandlhela (MMC: Finance) – Sophia Magomane (MMC: Public Transport and Roads) – Dorah Makhananisa (MMC: Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture) – Masilo Maloko (MMC: Infrastructure Development Services) – Maripe Mangena (MMC: Agriculture and Environmental Management Services) – Dikeledi Mmetle (MMC: Community Services) – Lucky Mohlala (MMC: Governance and Shared Services) – MH Sefufi (MMC: Water Services) |
| Municipal Manager | Tshepo Jack Mogano (Acting) |
| Chief Financial Officer | Tshepo Jack Mogano |
| Senior Management | – Faith Maboya (Senior Manager: Planning and Local Economic Development) – Ludic Mahayi (Senior Manager: Technical Services) – Sonia Ngobeni (Senior Manager: Corporate Services) – Cate Ntimbani – Paradise Shlowa (Senior Manager: Water and Sanitation) |
| Communications Officers | – Odas Ngobeni (Deputy Manager: Communications) – Neil Shikwambana (Acting) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Mopani District Municipality.
- Giyani
- Gravelotte
- Haenertsburg
- Hoedspruit
- Leydsdorp
- Modjadjiskloof
- Tzaneen
Contact details
The contact details of the Mopani District Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal address: | Private Bag X9687, Giyani, 0826 |
| Physical address: | Government Building, Main Road, Giyani 0826 |
| Telephone: | 015 811 6300 |
| Fax: | 015 812 4302 |
| Email: | moganotj@mopani.gov.za |
| Website: | www.mopani.gov.za |
