Kou-Kamma Local Municipality
Encyclopedia
The Kou-Kamma Municipality is a local municipality
in South Africa
. It is situated in the southwest corner of the Cacadu District Municipality
along the Indian Ocean
coastline, in the southwestern sector of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. To the west lies the Western Cape Province. Kou-Kamma also borders the Baviaans Local Municipality
in the north and the Kouga Local Municipality
to the east. The geographical area of the Municipality is 12,540 square kilometres.
The municipality is a relatively poor area with high unemployment and low levels of literacy. Settlements tend to be scattered, which has posed challenges to the provision of infrastructure and basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.
The Kou-Kamma Municipality is composed of two distinct regions: the coastal belt (referred to as the Tsitsikamma or the Western Coastal Zone, which includes settlements such as Coldstream, Storms River and Clarkson), and the inland area of the Langkloof
(including settlements such as Kareedouw, Joubertina and Louterwater). The two areas are separated by the Tsitsikamma Mountains
.
The nature of the two areas differs vastly. The Coastal Zone is characterised by a diverse and fast-growing economy driven by tourism and agriculture, a fast-growing population linked to the economic opportunities, a good water supply, and a wealth of holiday destinations and indigenous forests.
In contrast, employment in the Langkloof is characterised by seasonal agriculture with high labour requirements. The area has greater challenges in terms of sufficient water supply, with additional pressure due to a high population growth related to migrant labour.
is the administrative centre for the Koukamma Municipality and accommodates approximately 11% of the total population.
The Joubertina/Ravinia/Tweeriviere node accommodates approximately 11% of the total population and can be considered to be the commercial centre of Kou-Kamma.
Stormsriver is the primary tourism centre within the municipality.
Other settlements within the Kou-Kamma Municipality include: Nomphumelelo/Sandrif, Coldstream, Thornham, Woodlands, Clarkson, the Mfengu Farms, Eersterivier, Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeelrivier, Kwaaibrand, Koomansbos, Goesa, Witelsbos and Boskor.
These settlements are divided into 5 electoral wards and are governed by a 10-member council.
Local municipality (South Africa)
In South Africa, a local municipality or Category B municipality is a type of municipality that serves as the third, and most local, tier of local government...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is situated in the southwest corner of the Cacadu District Municipality
Cacadu District Municipality
Cacadu District Municipality is situated in the Western Portion of the Eastern Cape province, covering an area of 58 242 square kilometres. The area of the district municipality includes nine local municipalities and other portions collectively known as the District Management Areas . The seat of...
along the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
coastline, in the southwestern sector of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. To the west lies the Western Cape Province. Kou-Kamma also borders the Baviaans Local Municipality
Baviaans Local Municipality
Baviaans Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.The municipality is named after the Baviaanskloof...
in the north and the Kouga Local Municipality
Kouga Local Municipality
The Kouga Local Municipality is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, approximately 20 km west of Port Elizabeth, and forms part of the Cacadu District Municipality...
to the east. The geographical area of the Municipality is 12,540 square kilometres.
The municipality is a relatively poor area with high unemployment and low levels of literacy. Settlements tend to be scattered, which has posed challenges to the provision of infrastructure and basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.
The Kou-Kamma Municipality is composed of two distinct regions: the coastal belt (referred to as the Tsitsikamma or the Western Coastal Zone, which includes settlements such as Coldstream, Storms River and Clarkson), and the inland area of the Langkloof
Langkloof
Langkloof is a 160 km long valley in South Africa, lying between Herold, a small village north of George, and Humansdorp. The kloof was given its name by Isaq Schrijver in 1689, and more thoroughly explored by a later expedition under ensign August Frederik Beutler in 1752.The valley has been...
(including settlements such as Kareedouw, Joubertina and Louterwater). The two areas are separated by the Tsitsikamma Mountains
Tsitsikamma Mountains
The Tsitsikamma mountains are a mountain range located in the Garden Route region of the southern South African coast in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Stretching just over 80 km from the Keurbooms River in the west just north of Plettenberg Bay, to Kareedouw Pass in the east near the...
.
The nature of the two areas differs vastly. The Coastal Zone is characterised by a diverse and fast-growing economy driven by tourism and agriculture, a fast-growing population linked to the economic opportunities, a good water supply, and a wealth of holiday destinations and indigenous forests.
In contrast, employment in the Langkloof is characterised by seasonal agriculture with high labour requirements. The area has greater challenges in terms of sufficient water supply, with additional pressure due to a high population growth related to migrant labour.
Villages and settlements
KareedouwKareedouw
Kareedouw is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the administrative centre for the Kou-Kamma Municipality in the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape.The town's name derives from the Khoe phrase meaning "path by the karee trees"...
is the administrative centre for the Koukamma Municipality and accommodates approximately 11% of the total population.
The Joubertina/Ravinia/Tweeriviere node accommodates approximately 11% of the total population and can be considered to be the commercial centre of Kou-Kamma.
Stormsriver is the primary tourism centre within the municipality.
Other settlements within the Kou-Kamma Municipality include: Nomphumelelo/Sandrif, Coldstream, Thornham, Woodlands, Clarkson, the Mfengu Farms, Eersterivier, Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeelrivier, Kwaaibrand, Koomansbos, Goesa, Witelsbos and Boskor.
These settlements are divided into 5 electoral wards and are governed by a 10-member council.