Mnquma Local Municipality lies in Amathole District, Eastern Cape, with 232,993 people counted in the 2022 census across 3,137.3 km². The seat is Butterworth, the district’s largest town and its main industrial and administrative centre.
Towns and Villages in Mnquma
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Butterworth | Seat | Largest town, industrial and trade centre |
| Ngqamakhwe | Town | Rural service town |
| Centane | Town | Coastal-hinterland town |
| Teko Springs | Village | Rural settlement |
Other recorded settlements and localities:
- Bakaneni
- Bawa
- Bethel
- Bhokhwe
- Bogo
- Bongweni
- Bunga
- Busila
- Cafutweni
- Cat’s Pass
- Cebe
- Cegcuwana
- Centani
- Centuli
- Columba
- Dadiyane
- Diva
- Dlepu
- Dondashe
- Dyashi
- Dyushu
- Ematshanganeni
- Embangweni
- Embugwini
- Emgcwe
- Esikhobeni
- Fordini
- Gciala
- Gqunce
- Gqunge
- Gqunqe
- Groxozayo
- Gxara
- Hebehebe
- Hlabeni
- Hlangani
- Hlobo
- Holela
- Isityam
- Jojweni
- Kei Bridge
- Khwetshe
- Kobonqaba
- Komkhulu
- Kotana
- KuLohopana
- KuLotshazi
- KwaCingane
- KwaDebese
- KwaFeni
- KwaMacibe
- KwaMbongendlu
- KwaMdange
- KwaMjo
- KwaMtebele
- KwaMtintsilana
- KwaNdesane
- KwaNduku
- KwaNontsinga
- KwaYimani
- KwaZibunu
- Lalini
- Lindsay
- Lixeni
- Lower Qora
- Lusizi
- Luxhomo
- Mahlenhlanzi
- Mahlubini
- Mampondweni
- Mangola
- Mantetyeni
- Manu
- Manyana
- Manzana
- Maranugeni
- Masazane
- Masele
- Matatiela
- Mawushweni
- Maxambeni
- Mazeppa Bay
- Mbokotwana
- Mcelwane
- Merelisa
- Mfeku
- Mfulamde
- Mgagasi
- Mgobhozi
- Mhlahlane
- Milwa
- Mjamkhulu
- Mndundu
- Mnenemba
- Mngqalasini
- Mntla
- Mnyameni
- Mnyibashe
- Mofu
- Mpahleni
- Mpentse
- Mpuluse
- Msele
- Msikaba
- Mtonjeni
- Mtwaku
- Mzazi
- Mziphewi
- Nantsana
- Ncalukeni
- Ncata
- Ncenjane
- Ncerana
- Nciba
- Ncizele
- Ndotshanga
- Nduveni
- Ngculu
- Ngcweni
- Ngede
- Ngingqini
- Ngozana
- Ngqageni
- Ngundusa
- Ngunduza
- Ngunza
- Ngwara
- Ngwebelele
- Ngxalathi
- Njekeni
- Njingini
- Nkukhwana
- Nomaheya
- Nonyembesi
- Nonyembezi
- Nousi
- Nqamakwe
- Nqunduza
- Nqusi
- Ntilini
- Ntlabathini
- Ntlambonkulu
- Nxaxo
- Nxaxo Mouth
- Nyumaga
- Nyutura
- Qina
- Qoboqobo
- Qolora
- Qolora Mouth
- Qolweni
- Qombolo
- Qora
- Red Hill
- Rwantsana
- Seagulls
- Seku
- Sigitini
- Silverstream
- Singangala
- Sirosheni
- Sonkana
- Takazi
- Tanga
- Thafa-Lofefe
- Thala
- Thorn Drift
- Toboni Skool
- Tobotshana
- Trennerys
- Tshazibane
- Tutura
- Umgomanzi
- Umsigazi School
- Vaku
- Velebi
- Vuso
- Waterdale
- Wavecrest
- Willow Spring
- Xilinxa
- Zangwa
- Zazulwana
- Zigadini
- Zingxala
Geography
Mnquma runs from the Kei River mouth along the Wild Coast inland to Butterworth, crossing rolling grassland and river valleys. The Nxaxo and Qolora rivers cut through the coastal wards, where beaches at Mazeppa Bay, Qolora Mouth and Wavecrest draw weekend visitors from Butterworth and further afield. Further inland the land opens into the maize and grazing country surrounding Ngqamakhwe and Centane.
It sits inside Amathole District Municipality, bordering Mbhashe, Amahlathi, Great Kei and Ngqushwa.
Demographics
Population fell from 245,629 in 2011 to 232,993 in 2022. Almost all residents (96.1%) speak isiXhosa, and most households remain in rural wards outside Butterworth itself, where communal land tenure is the norm.
Economy and Local Life
Butterworth is the industrial anchor of the district, with light manufacturing and government offices supporting formal employment, plus a retail sector that serves shoppers from across Mnquma and neighbouring Mbhashe. Rural wards rely on livestock and subsistence farming, and coastal tourism around Mazeppa Bay and Qolora Mouth adds seasonal income to fishing communities along the Wild Coast.
History
Butterworth was established in the 1820s as a Wesleyan mission station, one of the oldest in the Eastern Cape, and later served as a magisterial and administrative centre for the surrounding Transkei territory. The town grew significantly during the apartheid era as an industrial decentralisation point, drawing factories and workers from across the wider region — a legacy still visible in its light-manufacturing base today.
Getting There
Butterworth sits on the N2 national road, roughly midway between East London and Mthatha, with East London the nearest airport. The R409 and R411 link the coastal resorts to Butterworth, and Ngqamakhwe and Centane are both reached via secondary roads off the N2.
FAQ
What is the seat of Mnquma Local Municipality?
Butterworth, the largest town in Amathole District.
What district is Mnquma in?
Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape.
What is the population of Mnquma?
232,993 people (2022 census), down from 245,629 in 2011.
How big is Mnquma Local Municipality?
3,137.3 km².
What are the main towns in Mnquma?
Butterworth, Ngqamakhwe and Centane.