Matjhabeng Local Municipality
Matjhabeng | |
|---|---|
|
Seal | |
Location in the Free State | |
| Coordinates: 27°58′S 26°44′E / 27.967°S 26.733°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Free State |
| District | Lejweleputswa |
| Seat | Welkom |
| Wards | 36 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Thanduxolo Khalipha (ANC) |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,155 km2 (1,990 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 439,034 |
| • Density | 85.17/km2 (220.6/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2022) | |
| • Black African | 88.1% |
| • Coloured | 2.3% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.5% |
| • White | 9.0% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Sotho | 64.0% |
| • Xhosa | 12.3% |
| • Afrikaans | 12.3% |
| • English | 3.6% |
| • Other | 7.8% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Municipal code | FS184 |
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. 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.