OR Tambo District Municipality covers the former Transkei’s coastal and central heartland, named for ANC leader Oliver Reginald Tambo. The 2022 census recorded 1,501,703 people across five local municipalities, up from 1,366,039 in 2011, making it one of the most populous districts in the Eastern Cape. Mthatha, within King Sabata Dalindyebo, is the district seat.
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| Seat | Mthatha |
| Local municipalities | 5 |
| Population (2022) | 1,501,703 |
Local Municipalities in OR Tambo
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 Population |
|---|---|---|
| King Sabata Dalindyebo | Mthatha | 476,558 |
| Nyandeni | Libode | 304,856 |
| Ingquza Hill | Flagstaff | 354,573 |
| Mhlontlo | Qumbu | 186,391 |
| Port St. Johns | Port St Johns | 179,325 |
Major Towns
Mthatha is by far the district’s largest town, followed by Flagstaff, Lusikisiki, Tsolo, Qumbu, Libode, Ngqeleni and Port St Johns. Each of the five member municipalities is centred on one of these towns, with the surrounding countryside made up of thousands of small rural villages served from them.
- Mthatha
- Flagstaff
- Lusikisiki
- Tsolo
- Port Saint John’s
- Qumbu
- Libode
- Mqanduli
- Qunu
Geography
OR Tambo District covers the central Wild Coast and its rolling inland hills, running from the Indian Ocean at Port St Johns to the hill country around Qumbu and Tsolo further inland. It borders the Chris Hani District to the west, Alfred Nzo District to the north, and Amathole District to the south-west. Deep river gorges cut by the Mzimvubu and its tributaries dominate the terrain toward Port St Johns, while the inland municipalities sit on higher, more open grassland.
Economy and Local Life
Mthatha functions as the district’s dominant trade, education and health centre, home to Walter Sisulu University and the region’s largest referral hospital. Elsewhere the economy is largely rural, based on subsistence farming and social grants, with a growing coastal tourism sector around Port St Johns and the Wild Coast. Fishing and small-scale trade support the coastal villages, while livestock grazing remains the main rural land use inland.
FAQ
What is the seat of OR Tambo District Municipality?
Mthatha.
How many local municipalities are in OR Tambo District?
Five: King Sabata Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Ingquza Hill, Mhlontlo and Port St. Johns.
What is the population of OR Tambo District?
1,501,703 people at the 2022 census, up from 1,366,039 in 2011.
Who was OR Tambo?
Oliver Reginald Tambo, a long-serving president of the African National Congress, after whom the district is named.
What is OR Tambo District’s largest town?
Mthatha, home to Walter Sisulu University and the district’s main hospital and shopping centres.
Is Port St Johns part of OR Tambo District?
Yes — Port St. Johns Local Municipality, on the Wild Coast, is one of the district’s five member municipalities.