The West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) is a Category C municipality situated in the western region of the Gauteng Province of South Africa.
Overview
Type of municipality: | District (Category C) |
Province: | Gauteng |
Municipal code: | DC48 |
Seat: | Randfontein |
Local municipalities: | 3 |
Total area: | 4,087 km² (1,578 square miles) |
Population: | 998,466 (in 2022) |
Executive mayor: | T.M Bovungana |
About
The West Rand District Municipality is geographically situated in the western part of the Gauteng Province and covers the West Rand area, excluding Roodepoort.
The District is also situated relatively close to Johannesburg, the economic hub of Gauteng, and is traversed by major national routes, namely the N12 and N14.
The administrative headquarters/seat of the District is in Randfontein.
The West Rand District Municipality covers an area of 4,087 km² (1,578 square miles)
The District consists of three local municipalities namely;
The West Rand District Municipality is bordered by:
- The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to the northeast
- The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to the east
- Sedibeng District Municipality to the southeast
- Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West to the south and west
- Bojanala Platinum District Municipality in the North West to the north
The West Rand District is home to the famous Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located under the jurisdiction of Merafong City and Mogale City Local Municipalities.
Map

Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the West Rand District Municipality has a population of 998,466 residents, compared to 838,594 in 2016, and 821,191 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 1.9%.
According to the 2022 Census, 23.7% of the population is under the age of 15, 71% is between 15 and 64, and 5.3% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 79.2% of the West Rand District Municipality population describe themselves as Black African, 16.7% as White, 2.5% as Coloured, and 1.1% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 27.3% of the population speaks Setswana as their first language, 16.9% speak Afrikaans, 14.9% speak isiXhosa, 10.8% speak Sesotho, and 30.1% speak other languages.
Economy
The West Rand is the poorest region in the Province and contributes the least to Gauteng’s GDP. The District’s main contribution primarily lies within the mining sector.
Other economic sectors in the District manufacturing, finance, community services, trade, construction, and transport.
District council and management
The West Rand District Municipality is under S139 administration, effective February 2019.
Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 8 – DA: 5 – EFF: 3 – VF PLUS: 1 – AIC: 1 |
Controlling Party | n/a |
Executive Mayor | T.M Bovungana |
Deputy Executive Mayor | n/a |
Speaker | Bethuel Munyai |
Chief Whip | Mildred Ndzilane |
Other Council Members | – Salu Boyce (MMC: Re-Industrialisation) – Sfiso Dikana (MMC: Transport and Roads) – Gladys Khoza-Itani (MMC: Finance) – Leroy Legabe (MMC: Environment) – Tumi Molusi (MMC: Public Safety) – Antionette Shikoane (MMC: Health and Social Development and SRAC) – Dennis Thabe (MMC: Infrastructure and Human Settlement) – Nonkoliso Tundzi-Hawu (MMC: Corporate Services) |
Municipal Manager | Elias Koloi |
Chief Financial Officer | Samuel Ramaele |
Senior Management | – Dr Mary Daka (Health and Social Development) – Grace Magole (Corporate Services) – Zeblon Mphaphuli (Regional Development Planning and Environmental Management) |
Communications Officers | Clement Mohlala |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the West Rand District Municipality.
- Carletonville
- Fochville
- Krugersdorp
- Magaliesburg
- Muldersdrift
- Randfontein
- Wedela
- Westonaria
Contact details
The contact details of the West Rand District Municipality are listed in the table below.
Postal address: | Private Bag X033, Randfontein, 1760 |
Physical address: | Cnr, 6th and Park Street, Randfontein, 1760 |
Telephone: | 011 411 5000 |
Fax: | 011 412 3663 |
Email: | admin@wrdm.gov.za |
Website: | www.wrdm.gov.za |
Report fraud and corruption: | – Telephone: 011 411 5100 – Email: fraudline@wrdm.gov.za |