Chris Hani District Municipality covers the central Eastern Cape around the regional city of Komani (Queenstown). The 2022 census recorded 828,387 people across six local municipalities, down from 806,479 in 2011. Komani is the district seat.
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| Seat | Komani (Queenstown) |
| Local municipalities | 6 |
| Population (2022) | 828,387 |
Local Municipalities in Chris Hani
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 Population |
|---|---|---|
| Inxuba Yethemba | Cradock | 77,578 |
| Enoch Mgijima | Komani (Queenstown) | 297,055 |
| Intsika Yethu | Cofimvaba | 128,101 |
| Emalahleni | Cacadu (Lady Frere) | 128,873 |
| Dr AB Xuma | Ngcobo (Engcobo) | 132,799 |
| Sakhisizwe | Cala | 63,981 |
Inxuba Yethemba’s own profile is being added to this site separately; its population and seat are listed here for completeness of the district total. Cradock, its seat, sits on the Great Fish River and is best known regionally as a Karoo farming town on the N10 route to Port Elizabeth.
Major Towns
Komani, Cradock, Middelburg, Whittlesea, Lady Frere/Cacadu, Cofimvaba, Cala/Khowa and Ngcobo are Chris Hani’s largest towns, spread across its six member municipalities.
- Queenstown
- Cradock
- Whittlesea
- Lady Frere
- Middelburg
- Queensdale
- Khowa
- Cala
- Molteno
- Ilinge
- Dordrecht
- Ngcobo
- Cofimvaba
- Indwe
- Sterkstroom
- Tarkastad
- Hofmeyr
- Tsomo
- Mkukwini
Geography
Chris Hani District spans the Great Karoo fringe around Cradock and Middelburg in the west to the hilly former-Transkei terrain around Cofimvaba, Cala and Ngcobo in the east. It borders the Joe Gqabi District to the north, Amathole District to the south, and the OR Tambo District to the east. Rainfall and vegetation shift noticeably across the district, from semi-arid Karoo scrub around Cradock to greener sourveld grassland further east toward Ngcobo and Cofimvaba.
Economy and Local Life
The district’s economy is dualistic: commercial sheep, cattle and mohair farming dominate the drier western municipalities around Cradock and Molteno, while the eastern municipalities rely on subsistence farming, community services and social grants. Komani serves as the district’s main retail, education and health hub, with a regional hospital and the largest shopping centres in the district.
FAQ
What is the seat of Chris Hani District Municipality?
Komani, the former Queenstown.
How many local municipalities are in Chris Hani District?
Six: Inxuba Yethemba, Enoch Mgijima, Intsika Yethu, Emalahleni, Dr AB Xuma and Sakhisizwe.
What is the population of Chris Hani District?
828,387 people at the 2022 census, down from 806,479 in 2011.
What is the main economy of Chris Hani District?
A dualistic mix of commercial agriculture in the west (sheep, cattle, mohair) and subsistence farming and community services in the east.
Which town anchors Chris Hani District?
Komani, which functions as the region’s main retail, education and health centre.