Polokwane Local Municipality
Encyclopedia
The Polokwane Local Municipality (or simply Polokwane Municipality) is a local municipality
located within the Capricorn District
in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
. It shares its name with the city of Polokwane
(formerly Pietersburg).
Polokwane Municipality accounts for 3% of the total surface area of Limpopo; however, over 10% of the population of Limpopo resides within its boundaries. The Municipality serves as the economic hub of Limpopo and has the highest population density in the Capricorn district. In terms of its physical composition Polokwane Municipality is 23% urbanised and 71% rural. The largest sector of the community within the municipality resides in rural tribal villages, followed by urban settlements.
, industrial area, and a range of social services and well-established formal urban areas servicing the more affluent residents of Polokwane.
Situated on the outskirts in several clusters are less formal settlement areas, which are experiencing enormous influx from rural urban migration trends. These areas are in dire need of upgraded services and infrastructure, both social and engineering, and are struggling to cope with the informal influx of more and more people who want access to an improved quality and standard of living.
The settlements surrounding the city of Polokwane
include:
79% of its households are using electricity for lighting, 62% for cooking, and 58% for heating.
In 2007, 94.1% of the population was Black African, 4.8% White, 1.1% Coloured, Indian or Asian.
is located in Mankweng and the Tshwane University of Technology
has a satellite campus in Polokwane
.
Although the municipality's overall level of education has improved slightly in recent years, only 24% of the population have attained a Grade 12 education, and only 5.7% have achieved a tertiary education qualification. As a result of low education levels and a largely unskilled population, large numbers of residents earn very little or no income, and poverty is a major problem in the municipal area.
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...
located within the Capricorn District
Capricorn District Municipality
Capricorn is one of the 6 districts of Limpopo province of South Africa. The district is named after the Tropic of Capricorn which runs through it. The seat of Capricorn is Polokwane. The majority of its 1 154 673 people speak Northern Sotho...
in the Limpopo Province of 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 shares its name with the city of Polokwane
Polokwane
Polokwane, meaning "Place of Safety",is a city in the Polokwane Local Municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province, South Africa. It is also often referred to by its former name, Pietersburg. Polokwane is a major urban centre, the biggest and most important north of Gauteng. The population...
(formerly Pietersburg).
Polokwane Municipality accounts for 3% of the total surface area of Limpopo; however, over 10% of the population of Limpopo resides within its boundaries. The Municipality serves as the economic hub of Limpopo and has the highest population density in the Capricorn district. In terms of its physical composition Polokwane Municipality is 23% urbanised and 71% rural. The largest sector of the community within the municipality resides in rural tribal villages, followed by urban settlements.
Cities and settlements
The municipal spatial pattern reflects that of the historic apartheid city model, characterised by segregated settlement. At the centre of the area is the Polokwane economic hub, which comprises the central business districtCentral business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
, industrial area, and a range of social services and well-established formal urban areas servicing the more affluent residents of Polokwane.
Situated on the outskirts in several clusters are less formal settlement areas, which are experiencing enormous influx from rural urban migration trends. These areas are in dire need of upgraded services and infrastructure, both social and engineering, and are struggling to cope with the informal influx of more and more people who want access to an improved quality and standard of living.
The settlements surrounding the city of Polokwane
Polokwane
Polokwane, meaning "Place of Safety",is a city in the Polokwane Local Municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province, South Africa. It is also often referred to by its former name, Pietersburg. Polokwane is a major urban centre, the biggest and most important north of Gauteng. The population...
include:
- SeshegoSeshegoSeshego is a town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The town lies directly northwest of Polokwane. In 2001 its population was 121,639. Until 1974 Seshego was the capital of the non-independent bantustan of Lebowa, which was abolished in 1994...
: located west of the central business district and railway line. It is nearest to the economic core of all settlement areas and thus has the best access to the formal economy of Polokwane. - Mankweng: a large area that is 30 km (19 mi) to the east of the city. It accommodates the University of LimpopoUniversity of LimpopoThe University of Limpopo is a university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2005, by the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa...
(Turfloop Campus) and is a long-established settlement area. - Sebayeng: located 30 km (19 mi) to the northeast of the city centre and is less formal and newer than Mankweng. The area is experiencing influx and is growing at a rapid rate.
- Maja: is located 20 km (12 mi) to the south of the city and comprises an informal settlement area, with very little service or infrastructure. The settlement area sits on the fringe of the rural hinterland and is hence surrounded by a large cluster of rural and semi-rural areas.
- Other areas include: Chuene, Dikgale, and Molepo.
Demographics
As of 2007 the Polokwane Local Municipality was home to approximately 561,772 people. Growth figures from 1996 to 2001 showed that the municipal population increased by about 3.27% per year on average. Much of this growth is ascribed to an influx of people from other, more rural, municipal areas into Polokwane, where the perception of more employment and greater economic wealth exists.79% of its households are using electricity for lighting, 62% for cooking, and 58% for heating.
In 2007, 94.1% of the population was Black African, 4.8% White, 1.1% Coloured, Indian or Asian.
Racial groups
| Year | Total population | Percent Black | Percent White | Percentage Other (mostly Coloured or Asian) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 508,277 | 92.41% | 6.1% | 1.49% |
| 2007 | 561,772 | 94.1% | 4.8% | 1.1% |
Education
The Turfloop campus of the University of LimpopoUniversity of Limpopo
The University of Limpopo is a university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2005, by the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa...
is located in Mankweng and the Tshwane University of Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
Tshwane University of Technology is a higher education institution in South Africa that came into being through a merger of three technikons — Technikon Northern Gauteng, Technikon North-West and Technikon Pretoria....
has a satellite campus in Polokwane
Polokwane
Polokwane, meaning "Place of Safety",is a city in the Polokwane Local Municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province, South Africa. It is also often referred to by its former name, Pietersburg. Polokwane is a major urban centre, the biggest and most important north of Gauteng. The population...
.
Although the municipality's overall level of education has improved slightly in recent years, only 24% of the population have attained a Grade 12 education, and only 5.7% have achieved a tertiary education qualification. As a result of low education levels and a largely unskilled population, large numbers of residents earn very little or no income, and poverty is a major problem in the municipal area.