Matjhabeng Local Municipality

Matjhabeng
Official seal of Matjhabeng
Location in the Free State
Location in the Free State
Coordinates: 27°58′S 26°44′E / 27.967°S 26.733°E / -27.967; 26.733
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceFree State
DistrictLejweleputswa
SeatWelkom
Wards36
Government
 • TypeMunicipal council
 • MayorThanduxolo Khalipha[1] (ANC)
Area
 • Total
5,155 km2 (1,990 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[3]
 • Total
406,461
 • Density79/km2 (200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African87.7%
 • Coloured2.1%
 • Indian/Asian0.4%
 • White9.6%
First languages (2011)
 • Sotho64.0%
 • Xhosa12.3%
 • Afrikaans12.3%
 • English3.6%
 • Other7.8%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Municipal codeFS184

Matjhabeng Municipality (Sotho: Masepala wa Matjhabeng; Xhosa: uMasipala wase Matjhabeng; Afrikaans: Matjhabeng Munisipaliteit) is a local municipality within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, in the Free State province of South Africa. The municipality includes Welkom, Virginia, Odendaalsrus and Allanridge.[4] Matjhabeng is a Sesotho word meaning "where nations meet". It is derived from the migrant labour system where people from various countries like Lesotho, Mozambique, etc. met to work in the mines.[5]

  1. ^ Lethoba, Thomas (2021-11-29). "Matjhabeng council appoints new mayor, welcome Thanduxolo Khalipa!". Kasi Voice News. Retrieved 2021-12-04.
  2. ^ "Contact list: Executive Mayors". Government Communication & Information System. Archived from the original on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Statistics by place". Statistics South Africa. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  4. ^ Seleka, Ntwaagae (5 September 2021). "Matjhabeng municipality: Rampant looting, illegal mining and theft could wipe out ailing entity". news24.com. News24. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. ^ South African Languages - Place names