Sakhisizwe is a local municipality in the Chris Hani District Municipality, Eastern Cape. The 2022 census recorded 63,981 people over 2,345.1 km², up marginally from 63,154 in 2011. Cala is the seat.
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Chris Hani District Municipality |
| Seat | Cala |
| Area | 2,345.1 km² |
| Population (2022) | 63,981 |
Towns and Villages in Sakhisizwe
Khowa (Elliot) is the largest town, just ahead of the seat, Cala. Together they anchor a municipality of 80 recorded settlements, mostly small farming villages in the surrounding hills, many strung along the Indwe and Cala river valleys below the higher grazing land.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Khowa | Town | 17,224 |
| Cala | Main town / seat | 15,764 |
The fuller list of villages and localities:
- Askeaton
- Blue Gum Vale
- Bumbana
- Cala Pass
- Cibini
- Eensaam
- Emnexe
- Fama
- Galili
- Garryowen
- Glen Alphen
- Gubenxa Kroon
- Hota-Mbeule
- Indwana
- Innistore
- Kerrera
- Komkulu
- Ku-Nomadambe
- Ku-Zikonkwane
- KuHota
- KuLanganci
- KuManzana
- KuQwempe
- KuSauti
- KwaGcina
- KwaMgcodo
- KwaNokepeyi
- Lahlangubo
- Lalini
- Langanci
- Lokishini
- Lower Cala
- Ludakeni
- Lufutha
- Luhlalwini
- Lutha
- Luxeni
- Macangceni
- Magwateni
- Mahlungulu
- Manzimahle
- Manzimdaka
- Maqwateni
- Marydale
- Matanzima
- Mbenge
- Mbodlana
- Mcewuli
- Mdeni
- Mgxumza
- Mhlonyaneni
- Mlungisi
- Mmangweni
- Mnxe
- Mtingwevu
- Mungisi
- Mxatule
- Ntsinga
- Nyalasa
- Paardekraal
- Pama
- Qiba
- Rebelskloof
- Saint Gabriel
- Sifondile
- Sigangeni
- Siginqini
- Stokwes Basin
- Taynult
- The Glen
- The Home
- The Willows
- Trust
- Tsengiwe
- Tshukutshezi
- Union
- Upper Cala
- Upper Ndwana
Geography
Sakhisizwe lies in the northern Chris Hani District at the foot of the Drakensberg foothills, with the Indwe River running through its western half. It borders Elundini, Emalahleni and Intsika Yethu within the district. The terrain rises from the Tsomo river valley in the south toward the higher, colder Elliot plateau in the north, where sourveld grassland supports both cattle and timber production. Winters are cold enough for occasional frost and light snow on the higher ground around Khowa.
Demographics
Population held roughly steady, from 63,154 in 2011 to 63,981 in 2022, a rise of little more than 1%. Xhosa is the first language of the great majority of residents, and Black African residents make up close to the entire population, with a small White farming community around Khowa and Cala.
Economy and Local Life
Forestry and livestock farming are the main sectors around Elliot/Khowa, which sits on the edge of the Elundini timber belt and hosts sawmilling linked to surrounding commercial pine plantations, while Cala serves as the local trade and services centre for surrounding farming communities. Wool and mohair production from sheep and Angora goats also contributes to farm income on the commercial farms around Khowa, alongside communal cattle grazing closer to Cala.
Getting There
Khowa (Elliot) lies on the N6 between Queenstown/Komani and Maclear, with the R56 linking Cala to Cofimvaba and Queenstown. Queenstown is the nearest regional hub, roughly 45 minutes from Elliot, and the N6 gives Sakhisizwe a direct road link north to Maclear and Ugie in Elundini and south to Komani’s shops, banks and hospital.
FAQ
What is the seat of Sakhisizwe Local Municipality?
Cala.
How many settlements are in Sakhisizwe?
GeoNames records 80, led by Khowa (Elliot) and Cala.
What is the population of Sakhisizwe?
63,981 people at the 2022 census, up from 63,154 in 2011.
Which district is Sakhisizwe part of?
The Chris Hani District Municipality, Eastern Cape.
Is Khowa the same place as Elliot?
Yes — Khowa is the isiXhosa name in official use for the town long known as Elliot. Both names remain in everyday use locally and on road signage.
How big is Sakhisizwe Local Municipality?
It covers 2,345.1 km², one of the smaller local municipalities in Chris Hani District by area.
What language is mainly spoken in Sakhisizwe?
Xhosa, spoken by the large majority of residents across both Khowa and Cala.