Modimolle–Mookgophong Local Municipality was formed in August 2016 by merging the former Modimolle and Mookgophong local municipalities. It lies in Limpopo’s Waterberg District, with 130,113 people counted in the 2022 census across 10,368 km². The seat is Modimolle town, the district’s own administrative centre.
The merged name keeps both original towns’ identities: Modimolle in the south of the municipality, Mookgophong (formerly Naboomspruit) further north on the N1.
Towns and Villages in Modimolle–Mookgophong
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Modimolle | Seat | Pop. 50,306; district and municipal seat |
| Mookgophong | Town | Formerly Naboomspruit, pop. 29,778; on the N1 |
| Vaalwater | Village | Pop. 19,723; gateway to Waterberg lodges |
| Thusang | Township | Pop. 1,299 |
Smaller settlements recorded across the municipality:
- Atoom
- Beginplaas
- Behoudeniskloof
- Besonderheid
- Bokpoortlaagte
- Bracondale
- Dryfsand
- Elandsbosch
- Gemsbokfontein
- Glentig
- Goedgedacht
- Golders Green
- Haningfontein
- Hans se Kaalte
- Hartebeesfontein
- Hartebeespoort
- Hoogstepunt
- Kaalvallei
- Kalkfontein
- Kileneni Ranch
- Klipfontein
- Naboomfontein
- Northern Flats
- Palala
- Rankin’s Pass
- Renosterfontein
- Rhenosterfontein
- Rondedoorn
- Rooifontein
- Schiedam
- Settlers Pride
- Singapore
- Sunningdale
- Swanepoelsrust
- Trascate
- Tuinplaas
- Tuissenek
- Tweetstroom
- Van Alphens Vlei
- Welkom
- Witkoppies
- Wolwefontein
- Zoetkopjes
Geography
The municipality straddles the eastern Waterberg escarpment and the flatter Springbok Flats to the south, with the N1 national route running through both former towns. Rankin’s Pass cuts through hilly bushveld north-west of Vaalwater toward the Waterberg’s game-lodge country. It borders Mogalakwena, Bela-Bela and Thabazimbi within Waterberg District.
Demographics
Combining the pre-merger 2011 counts, the population rose to 130,113 by the 2022 census — one of Waterberg’s faster-growing municipalities, concentrated around Modimolle and Mookgophong. Black African residents make up 81.2% of the population and White residents 17.6%, one of the higher White population shares in rural Limpopo. Afrikaans, Northern Sotho and English are all commonly spoken across the two former towns, a mix that reflects both long-established farming families and newer arrivals drawn by N1-corridor jobs in retail, agriculture, tourism and local government administration.
Economy and Local Life
Citrus and other irrigated farming line the N1 corridor around both towns, alongside cattle and game ranching further out. Vaalwater serves as the main supply town for Waterberg’s private game reserves and lodges, drawing tourism income from both South African and international visitors. Modimolle also carries the administrative jobs that come with hosting the district municipality’s offices.
Mookgophong, previously called Naboomspruit, retains its own separate retail and farming-services base for the surrounding cattle and crop farms, distinct from Modimolle’s district-office economy further south. Vaalwater’s role as a lodge-supply town has grown alongside the private game reserves scattered across the eastern Waterberg, with several international-standard safari operations sourcing staff and supplies from the village.
History
Both predecessor towns date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries as farming and rail service points along what became the N1 corridor. Modimolle was known as Nylstroom until it adopted its current Sesotho name after South Africa’s democratic transition, while Mookgophong was previously Naboomspruit. The August 2016 merger brought the two municipalities together as a single council, though both towns retain their separate town centres and local identities.
Getting There
Modimolle and Mookgophong both sit directly on the N1, roughly 120 km and 155 km north of Pretoria respectively. Vaalwater is reached via the R33 west of Modimolle. Polokwane International Airport is about 90 minutes north of Mookgophong; OR Tambo International is roughly two hours south.
FAQ
What is the seat of Modimolle–Mookgophong Local Municipality?
Modimolle town, in Limpopo’s Waterberg District.
How was Modimolle–Mookgophong formed?
By the August 2016 merger of the former Modimolle and Mookgophong (Naboomspruit) local municipalities.
What is the population of Modimolle–Mookgophong?
130,113 people (2022 census).
How big is Modimolle–Mookgophong?
10,368 km².
What was Mookgophong called before?
Naboomspruit — renamed after 1994, and merged with Modimolle in 2016.