Elundini is a local municipality in the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Eastern Cape. The 2022 census recorded 141,762 people over 5,018.8 km², up from 137,045 in 2011. Maclear is the seat.
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Joe Gqabi District Municipality |
| Seat | Maclear |
| Area | 5,018.8 km² |
| Population (2022) | 141,762 |
Towns and Villages in Elundini
Ugie and Tlokoeng are Elundini’s largest towns by recorded population, with Maclear the administrative seat close behind. Together they anchor a municipality of 197 recorded settlements, most of them small farming villages on the high-lying grassland toward the Lesotho border, many with combined isiXhosa and Sesotho place-names reflecting the mixed communities on this frontier.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ugie | Town | 16,133 |
| Tlokoeng | Town | 15,884 |
| Maclear | Main town / seat | 12,604 |
The fuller list of villages and localities:
- Annyama
- Antelope Park
- Bethania
- Bhantini
- Black Fountain
- Blekana
- Bloekomhof
- Bowden
- Calucalu
- Caweni
- Chamisso
- Chevy Chase
- Cicira
- Colon
- Cransmoor
- Diphini
- Dipini
- Dludlu
- Dulwane
- Elands Heights
- Faluku
- Feltham
- Fletcherville
- Fontana
- Frankstead
- Galatyeni
- Gemfane
- Glen Avice
- Goji
- Golomane
- Gqaqala
- Ha-Nokholoko
- Ha-Qhadi
- Ha-Sefoko
- Hardale
- High View
- Hlangalane
- Kaffersleg
- Katkop
- Kenmore
- Killarney
- Kinira Poort
- Kinirapoort
- Komkulu
- Ku-Fefa
- Ku-Mayima
- Ku-Ndoda
- Ku-Ngcengane
- KuMathumbu
- KuMbulunga
- KuNtabankulu
- KwaGcwabe
- KwaJozana
- KwaLanga
- KwaMleko
- KwaQala
- Lahlangubo
- Lalini
- Lehlakaneng
- Lekgwareng
- Lekhoba
- Lixeni
- Lokishini
- Longden
- Louden
- Lower Tsitsana
- Lubisini
- Lugcadweni
- Luzi
- Mabbalane
- Mabheleni
- Mabugulu
- Madwaleni
- Mafusini
- Maghatseng
- Magutyubeni
- Magwaca
- Mahaneng
- Mahemeng
- Mahlubini
- Makeng
- Makwatlane
- Manfengwini
- Mangoloaneng
- Maplotini
- Marombe
- Matafeni
- Mathunzini
- Mazizini
- Mbhulanja
- Mbidlana
- Mbinja
- Mbizeni
- Mcambalala
- Mcwangele
- Mdeni
- Mdilingwa
- Mewangele
- Mfanta
- Mlamlankunzi
- Mohoabatsana
- Moroka
- Mount Hope
- Moyeni
- Mpharane
- Mpukane
- Mrwatyeni
- Msingizane
- Nayijele
- Ncambalala
- Ncembu
- Ncfilukeni
- Nelani
- Ngcele
- Ngdilwe
- Ngonjaneni
- Ngqayi
- Ngxaza
- Ngxazana
- Ngxingweni
- Ngxoto
- Niagara
- Njaboya
- Njikelweni
- Nkalweni
- Nkangala
- Nqoma
- Ntabeni
- Ntaberu
- Ntaboduli
- Ntatyaneni
- Ntywenka
- Nxotshana
- Oakleigh
- Oliviersrust
- Philipsrust
- Pholile
- Platana
- Pretoria
- Printso
- Qhoehane
- Qobong
- Qokolweni
- Qulungashe
- Qurana
- Qutsuma
- Ramatee
- Reed Park
- Rhodesia
- Risler
- Rosendal
- Sakute
- Sapulandake
- Sekgutlong
- Setabataba
- Sethathi
- Siginggini
- Sigodini
- Sikhepheni
- Silindini
- Sinqungweni
- Sinxago
- Sithana
- Sixotgeni
- Siyalweni
- Somerton
- Stinkord
- Tabase
- Templehorn
- Thabakhubelu
- Thabaputsoa
- Thembekeni
- Thembeni
- Thokwano
- Tinana
- Tokwana
- Triple Streams
- Tsatsana
- Tshikitsha
- Tshoana
- Tsitsa
- Tsoelike
- Tsolobeng
- Tyeni
- Uluxa
- Umnga Flats
- Upper Sinxago
- Upper Tsitsana
- Woodcliffs
- Xaxazana
- Zimbane
- Zimbileni
- Zingonyameni
- Zintlawini
Geography
Elundini sits on the high plateau of the Eastern Cape’s north-east, bordering Lesotho’s foothills and reaching over 2,000 metres in places. Within Joe Gqabi District it borders Senqu and Walter Sisulu, and it also borders Sakhisizwe in Chris Hani District to the south. Cold winters with occasional snow are common at this altitude.
Demographics
Population grew from 137,045 in 2011 to 141,762 in 2022, a rise of about 3%. Xhosa and Sotho are the two predominant home languages, at roughly 70% and 25% of residents respectively, reflecting the municipality’s position on the old Transkei–Lesotho frontier.
Economy and Local Life
Forestry is a major employer around Ugie and Maclear, where commercial pine plantations feed local sawmills, alongside livestock farming — cattle, sheep and Angora goats — across the surrounding grassland. Maclear and Ugie serve as the main trading and services towns for the wider rural population.
Getting There
Maclear and Ugie sit on the N6/R56 route linking Komani (Queenstown) to Kokstad, with the R396 running north toward Rhodes and the Lesotho border area. Komani’s regional hospital and shops are roughly two hours away.
FAQ
What is the seat of Elundini Local Municipality?
Maclear.
How many towns and villages does Elundini have?
GeoNames records 197, led by Ugie, Tlokoeng and Maclear.
What is the population of Elundini?
141,762 people at the 2022 census, up from 137,045 in 2011.
Which district is Elundini part of?
The Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Eastern Cape.
What is Elundini’s main economy?
Forestry around Ugie and Maclear, and livestock farming — cattle, sheep and Angora goats — across the surrounding high-lying grassland.