Walter Sisulu is a local municipality in the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Eastern Cape, formed in August 2016 by merging the former Maletswai and Gariep local municipalities. The 2022 census recorded 104,213 people over 13,269 km², up from 77,477 in 2011. Burgersdorp is the seat, though Aliwal North is the largest town.
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Joe Gqabi District Municipality |
| Seat | Burgersdorp |
| Area | 13,269 km² |
| Population (2022) | 104,213 |
Towns and Villages in Walter Sisulu
Aliwal North, well known for its hot mineral springs on the Orange River, is the largest town, followed by the seat, Burgersdorp, and the smaller towns of Steynsburg, Venterstad and Jamestown. The former Maletswai and Gariep areas together carry 383 recorded settlements.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Aliwal North | Main town / seat | 44,436 |
| Burgersdorp | Main town / seat | 19,159 |
| Steynsburg | Town | 8,642 |
| Venterstad | Town | 5,977 |
| James Calata | Town | 5,590 |
The fuller list of villages and localities:
- Aarbossiesplaat
- Abelsruhe
- Alfalfa
- Alpha (1)
- Alpha (2)
- Altyre
- Amalinda
- Amana
- Avondrust
- Aylesby
- Bakkraal
- Bankfontein
- Barensdam
- Ben Avis
- Berea
- Bergplaas
- Berseba
- Bitterplat (1)
- Blaufontein
- Bloemendal
- Bloemhof
- Blomtuin
- Bloubospooft
- Blue Hills
- Boonstepos
- Borderville
- Bospoort
- Bosrand
- Botterleegte
- Braamhoek
- Brakfontein
- Brandpoort
- Bravo
- Brooklyn
- Bultfontein
- Byrnavon
- Caledonia
- Cheddar Hill
- Cheviotdale
- Clarksdale
- Clifton
- Content
- Corbetts Hope
- Croston
- Croxteth
- Cynsen
- Cyprusdale
- Dagbreek
- Dalmanutha
- Damarusfontein
- Damplaas
- Davidsfontein
- Dawn
- De Dam
- De Heim
- De Hoop (2)
- De Hoops
- De Kloof
- De Rust (2)
- Deelspruit
- Delila
- Denhaga
- Devon House
- Die Draai
- Die Viel
- Die Vlak
- Die Vlakte
- Die Vlei
- Die Wilge
- Diepfontein
- Diepfontein (1)
- Diepfontein (4)
- Dobo
- Doringkraal
- Driefontein
- Driefontein (1)
- Driehoek
- Dyobhudaka
- Edrom
- Eenbult (1)
- Eenbult (2)
- Eendrag
- Eensgevonden
- Eerstegeluk
- Ekron
- El Alamen
- Elandslaagte
- Elberveld
- Eldorado
- Element
- Elim
- Elliot
- Emmanuel
- Erasmusdal
- Erfdeel
- Erinmore
- Excelsior
- Ezelsklip
- Fairview
- Fathershome
- Fieldmoor
- Finne
- Floukraal
- Fonteinkloof
- Fonteintjie
- Gatacre
- Geduldfontein (2)
- Gelukshof
- Geluksoord
- Gelukwaarts
- Gelykfontein
- Gleenmoor
- Glenridge
- Gloria
- Goedehoop
- Goedemoed
- Goedverwacht
- Good Hope
- Goode Hoop (2)
- Gougednik
- Greenfontein
- Groenvlei (1)
- Groenvlei (2)
- Groot Strydpoort (1)
- Grootvlei (1)
- Gumdale
- Haarlem
- Haaspoort
- Harmonie
- Hebron
- Helena
- Helmekaal
- Helpmekaar
- Hessiesdeel
- Highlands
- Hillhead
- Hillside
- Hilltop
- Hillvue
- Hoogland
- Hoogstede
- Hopewell
- Huguenot
- Inhoek
- Jakkalsbank
- Josefsdeel
- Joubertina
- Kaffelskraal
- Kafferskraal
- Kamp
- Kanossa
- Kappiesfontein
- Kareedouw
- Kensington
- Kildare
- Kingslynn
- Klein Kareepoort
- Klein Strydpoort
- Klein Withoek
- Kleinvie
- Kleinvlei
- Klipbaken
- Klipfontein
- Klipkraal
- Klipkuil
- Knole Park
- Kommandantskop
- Komweer
- Kopfontein
- Koppiesfontein
- Korenhof
- Kraaifontein
- Kraalfontein (2)
- Kroonviel
- La Mascotte
- Lana
- Langfontein
- Langverwacht
- Langverwag
- Le Bron
- Leeukop
- Leeuwfontein
- Leeuwkop
- Lemaenfontein
- Lemoen Kloof
- Lemoendontein
- Lemoenkloof (2)
- Lentelus
- Liepsfontein
- Liviersrust
- Loskop
- Louis Botha
- Louwsrust
- Lucernedale
- Luderitzbucht
- Lushof
- Lusthof
- Lyndhurst
- Magda
- Magdalena
- Maletswai
- Marionvale
- Marlow
- Martindale
- Martlesham
- Masimo
- Matjiesvlei
- Meadows
- Mentzrust
- Meoivlei
- Merino
- Middelberg
- Middelplass
- Middlelwater
- Middleplass
- Midshaft
- Milner
- Modena
- Montagu
- Mooigelegen
- Mooigelegon
- Mooihoek
- Mooiplaas
- Mooivlei
- Moreson
- Morgenson
- Mount Carmel
- Murrayskop
- Namaga
- Naudely
- Nebo
- Nymanskraal
- Oaklands
- Oatlands
- Oliewenberg
- Oliewenkloof
- Omdraai
- Onverwag
- Ooriogspos
- Oorlogspoort
- Orangesig
- Orangia
- Osnek
- Ou Bokkraal
- Oudedag
- Outspan
- Oviston
- Palmskop
- Paradys
- Pelgrims Rust
The list above covers the 250 largest of 383 recorded settlements and localities; the remainder are small farm hamlets and rural place-names.
Geography
Walter Sisulu covers the Eastern Cape’s dry north-western corner along the Orange River, bordering the Free State’s Xhariep District to the north and west. Within Joe Gqabi District it borders Senqu, and it also borders the Chris Hani district to the south. The Gariep Dam, one of South Africa’s largest reservoirs, lies on its border with the Free State.
Demographics
Population grew from 77,477 in 2011 to 104,213 in 2022, a rise of about 35%, the largest percentage increase of the three Joe Gqabi local municipalities. Xhosa and Afrikaans are both widely spoken, reflecting a mixed farming and township population across Aliwal North and Burgersdorp.
Economy and Local Life
Sheep and cattle farming for wool, mohair and meat underpin the rural economy, alongside irrigated crop farming near the Orange River and Gariep Dam. Aliwal North’s hot springs resort draws regional tourism, and the Gariep Dam supports boating, fishing and a small hydropower station.
Getting There
Aliwal North sits on the N6 national route between Bloemfontein and Komani (Queenstown), with the N1 and R58 also converging near Colesberg and Venterstad to the west. Bloemfontein’s airport is about 90 minutes’ drive from Aliwal North.
FAQ
What is the seat of Walter Sisulu Local Municipality?
Burgersdorp, though Aliwal North is the largest town.
When was Walter Sisulu Local Municipality formed?
In August 2016, merging the former Maletswai and Gariep local municipalities.
How many towns and villages does Walter Sisulu have?
GeoNames records 383, led by Aliwal North, Burgersdorp, Steynsburg and Venterstad.
What is the population of Walter Sisulu?
104,213 people at the 2022 census, up from 77,477 in 2011.
What is Aliwal North known for?
Its hot mineral springs resort on the Orange River, one of the best known in the Eastern Cape.