The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMDM) is a Category C municipality situated in the northern region of the North West Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | District (Category C) |
| Province: | North West |
| Municipal code: | DC38 |
| Seat: | Mahikeng |
| Local municipalities: | 5 |
| Total area: | 28,114 km² (10,855 square miles) |
| Population: | 937,723 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Khumalo Molefe |
About
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, previously known as the Central District Municipality, is geographically situated in the northern part of the North West Province.
The District is centrally located with the North West Province and shares an international border with the Republic of Botswana to the north, “a gateway to the broader Southern African Development Countries (SADC) region”.
The District’s administrative headquarters/seat is in Mahikeng, which is also the capital of the North West Province.
The District is named after the late Dr. Silas Modiri Molema, a politician, activist, historian, and medical doctor. He served as the National Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1949, and he later also served as the party treasurer.
Silas Modiri is indeed a true son of the region as he was born, raised, and died in Mafikeng (the present-day Mahikeng.)
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality covers an area of 28,114 km² (10,855 square miles), making it the second-largest district in the North West Province.
The District is divided into five local municipalities, namely;
- Ditsobotla Local Municipality
- Mahikeng Local Municipality
- Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality
- Ratlou Local Municipality
- Tswaing Local Municipality
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality is bordered by Bojanala Platinum District Municipality to the east, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality to the south, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality to the west, the Republic of Botswana to the north, and Waterberg District Municipality in Limpopo to the northeast.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema region covers land portions of the former Transvaal Province and the Republic of Bophuthatswana.
The District is fairly flat and dry in the west, and bushveld in the east. It offers game viewing including bird watching, fishing, and hunting.
The District is largely rural and is made up of, 8 towns, 21 townships, 198 villages, and 103 wards. In addition, the District has 22 Traditional Leaders with about 90% of the District’s population living in traditional authority areas.
Like most of South Africa’s rural communities, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District is characterised by socio-economic inequalities which result in high levels of poverty in the areas.
Despite all the challenges faced by the District, it consists of high-potential agricultural land, game farms, heritage sites, and hidden jewels such as the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality is also known for the Anglo-Boer War sites.
Map
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has a population of 937,723 residents, compared to 889,108 in 2016, and 842,699 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 1.04%.
According to the 2022 Census, 30.6% of the population is under the age of 15, 63.1% is between 15 and 64, and 6.3% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 93.9% of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality population describe themselves as Black African, 3.7% as White, 1.6% as Coloured, and 0.6% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 81.8% of the population speaks Setswana as their first language, 5% speak Afrikaans, 3.2% speak English, 2.7% speak isiXhosa, and 7.3% speak other languages.
Economy
The district’s main economic sectors are tourism, agriculture, and mining.
District council and management
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 10 – EFF: 3 – DA: 2 – VF PLUS: 1 – F4SD: 1 |
| Controlling Party | n/a |
| Executive Mayor | Khumalo Molefe |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | n/a |
| Speaker | Nthabiseng Shuping |
| Chief Whip | Crosby Maema |
| Other Council Members | -Portia Lesufi (MMC: Corporate Support and Shared Services) – Thembinkosi Mabovu (MMC: Budget and Treasury) – Itumeleng Moarabi (MMC: LED, Agriculture, Rural Development and Tourism) – Madibuseng Mokome (MMC: Community Services, Health, Land Use, Environment and Social Development) – Maria Monnana (MMC: Infrastructure Development and Technical Services and Maintenance) – Monnapula Mothibi (MMC: Inter-Governmental Relations, Integrated District Development and Spacial Planning) – Nombulelo Nqobe (MMC: Sports, Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs) – Boitshoko Selekenyane (MMC: Spacial Project Stakeholder Relations, Youth, Woman Empowerment, Senior Citizens, People with Disability) |
| Municipal Manager | Allan Olehile Losaba |
| Chief Financial Officer | Sicelo Sydney Mphato |
| Senior Management | – Portia Lesufi (Corporate Support, ICT, and Shared Services) -Thembinkosi Mabovu (Finance, Budget and Treasury) – Itumeleng Moarabi (Agriculture, Rural Development and Tourism) – Madibuseng Mokome (Community Services, Health, Land Use, Environment, Disaster Management and Social Development) – Maria Monnana (Infrastructure Development, Technical Services and Maintenance) – Monnapula Mothibi (Inter-Governmental Relations, Integrated District Development and Spatial Planning) – Selebatso Mavis Nkadimang (Community Services) – Nombulelo Nqobe (Sports, Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs) – Mohamed Jafer Rassool (Public Works and Basic Services) – Boitshoko Selekenyane (Special Projects, Stakeholder Relations, Youth, Women Empowerment, Senior Citizens, People with Disability) |
| Communications Officers | – Lehlohonolo March (Manager: Communications) – Merafe Molemoeng (Media Liaison Officer) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
- Biesiesvlei
- Coligny
- Delareyville
- Disaneng
- Groot Marico
- Kraaipan
- Lichtenburg
- Madibogo
- Mahikeng
- Mmabatho
- Ottosdal
- Ottoshoop
- Sannieshof
- Setlagole
- Zeerust
Contact details
The contact details of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal address: | Private Bag X2167, Mahikeng, 2745 |
| Physical address: | Cnr 1st Avenue and Carrington Street, Industrial Site, Mahikeng |
| Telephone: | 018 381 9400 |
| Fax: | 018 381 0561 |
| Email: | info@nmmdm.gov.za |
| Website: | www.nmmdm.gov.za |
| Switchboard: | 018 381 9400 |
| SAPS crime stop: | 0860 10111 |
| SMS crime line: | 32211 |
| GBV command centre: | 0800 428 428 / 1207867# |
| Persons with disabilities: | SMS ‘help’ to 31531 |
| Women abuse helpline: | 0800 150 150 |
| Child line: | 0800 055 555 |
| National AIDS helpline: | 0800 012 322 |
| National human trafficking helpline: | 0800 222 777 |
| Suicide helpline: | 0800 567 567 |
