Oudtshoorn Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located in the northern region of the Garden Route District Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B2 (large town) |
| Province: | Western Cape |
| District: | Garden Route |
| Municipal code: | WC045 |
| Seat: | Oudtshoorn |
| Number of wards: | 13 |
| Total area: | 3,540 km² (1,367 square miles) |
| Population: | 138,257 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Johannes Allers |
About
Oudtshoorn Local Municipality is geographically situated in the northern part of the Garden Route District Municipality in the heart of the Little Karoo, stretching from the Swartberg Mountains in the north to the Outeniqua Mountains in the south, and from the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve in the west to the Kammanassie Mountains in the east.
The Greater Oudtshoorn area is defined as a semi-desert area with a unique and sensitive natural environment. It was once the indigenous home of the Khoisan people and the rock paintings on the walls of the caves in the surrounding area send a message that survival in this area requires respect for the natural environment.
Oudtshoorn Local Municipality covers an area of 3,540 km² (1,367 square miles) making it the fourth-largest local municipality in the Garden Route District.
The municipality is divided into 13 wards.
The administrative headquarters/seat of Oudtshoorn Local Municipality is in Oudtshoorn.
Oudtshoorn Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Kannaland Local Municipality to the west
- Hessequa Local Municipality to the southwest
- Mossel Bay Local Municipality to the south
- George Local Municipality to the east
- Prince Albert Local Municipality in the Central Karoo District to the north
The municipality’s development potential recognises the impact of being home to the world’s largest ostrich population, which is a key component of their agricultural industry. The discovery of the Cango Caves and the continual allure of its unique natural heritage have drawn people to the Oudtshoorn region.
Oudtshoorn serves as a regional centre for the surrounding agricultural area. The natural environment of the area creates a natural hospitality towards the tourism industry and a related boom in accommodation.
Oudtshoorn is a centre of regional cultural, sport, and art activities, and has, since 1994, been host to the nationally famous Klein Karoo Nasionale Kuntefees (KKNK), an arts festival held in March/April every year.
Oudtshoorn’s relatively higher ‘development potential’ is directly linked to its strategic geographical location on main transport routes, natural resource base, human resources, institutional centre function, and commercial services. Recent studies of Oudtshoorn growth potential identified it as one of 14 important ‘leader towns’ in the Western Cape province.
First Ostrich Boom
The main reason for the large rise in prosperity of Oudtshoorn Local Municipality was the ostrich, whose feathers had become extremely popular as fashion accessories in Europe where they were especially popular for use on hats.
Between 1875 and 1880, ostrich prices reached up to GBP1,000 a pair. The farmers of the region, realising that ostriches were far more profitable than any other activity, ripped out their other crops and planted lucerne, which was used as feed for the ostriches.
The rising wealth also finally allowed for the completion of the Dutch Reformed Church – it was opened on 7 June 1879.
Owing to overproduction, the ostrich industry experienced a sudden slump in fortunes in 1885. The town’s misery was compounded when it was hit by severe flooding during the same year, which washed away the nearby Victoria Bridge, which had been built over the Olifants River only the year before.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, Oudtshoorn Local Municipality has a population of 138,257 people, compared to 97,509 in 2016, 95,933 in 2011, and 84,694 in 2001.
Most residents of the municipality live in the town of Oudtshoorn.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 3.55%.
According to the 2022 Census, 25.2% of the population is under the age of 15, 66.9% is between 15 and 64, and 8% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 76.1% of the population in Oudtshoorn Local Municipality describe themselves as Coloured, 8.9% as White, 8% as Black African, and 0.3% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 91% of the population speaks Afrikaans as their first language, 4.8% speak isiXhosa, 2.3% speak English, and 1.9% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of Oudtshoorn Local Municipality are agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing, insurance, finance, and construction.
Municipal council and management
The Oudtshoorn municipal council is comprised of 25 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Thirteen councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 13 wards, while the remaining 12 are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
In the November 2021 local government elections, no party obtained a majority of seats on the council.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 8 – DA: 7 – VF PLUS: 3 – ICOSA: 2 – ADVIESKANTOOR: 1 – GOOD: 1 – OGI: 1 – PA: 1 – SUID-KAAP SAAMSTAAN: 1 |
| Controlling party | DA/ICOSA/VF/SUID-KAAP SAAMSTAAN Coalition |
| Executive Mayor | Johannes Allers |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | Mziwoxolo Tyatya |
| Speaker | Suzane Jansen |
| Chief Whip | Anel Berry |
| Other Council Members | – JI Du Preez (Portfolio Chairperson: Financial Services) – DJ Fourie (Portfolio Chairperson: Infrastructure Services) – V Michaels (Portfolio Chairperson: Community Services) – BV Owen (Portfolio Chairperson: Planning and Development) – RR Wildschut (Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services) |
| Municipal Manager | Mkhululi Yekani (Acting) |
| Chief Financial Officer | Gerald de Jager |
| Senior Management | – CAS Avontuur (Legal Services) – LA Coetzee (Planning and Development) – Nkululeko Kelepu (Roads, Transport and Stormwater) – J Lesch (Director: Infrastructure Services) – RK Smit (Director: Corporate Services) – S Swart (Accounting Services) |
| Communications Officers | Aurelia Mle (Media and Communications) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in Oudtshoorn Local Municipality.
- De Rust
- Dysselsdorp
- Oudtshoorn
- De Hoop
- Grootkraal
- Matjiesrivier
- Schoemanshoek
- Spieskamp
- Vlakteplaas
- Volmoed
Contact details
The contact details of Oudtshoorn Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal address: | PO Box 255, Oudtshoorn, 6620 |
| Physical address: | 69 Cnr CJ Langenhoven Street & Voortrekker Road, Oudtshoorn |
| Telephone: | 044 203 3000 |
| Fax: | 044 203 3104 |
| Email: | post@oudtmun.gov.za |
| Website: | www.oudtshoorn.gov.za |
| Emergencies: | 044 203 7800 |
| Complaints: | 044 203 3090 / 044 203 3086 |
| Control Room 24 hours: | 063 651 4675 / 063 651 4676 |
