Kopanong Local Municipality covers the largest area in the Free State’s Xhariep District. The 2022 census counted 51,832 people over 15,648 km², up from 49,171 in 2011. Trompsburg is the seat.
Towns and Villages in Kopanong
Eight towns are spread across Kopanong’s wide territory, more than in any other Free State municipality, reflecting its size rather than density.
| Place | Type | 2022 pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Trompsburg | Seat | 6,395 |
| Bethulie | Town | 7,783 |
| Edenburg | Town | 7,739 |
| Jagersfontein | Diamond-mining town | 6,865 |
| Reddersburg | Town | 5,854 |
| Philippolis | Town | 4,370 |
| Springfontein | Town | 4,431 |
| Fauresmith | Town | 4,346 |
Gariep Dam settlement (1,878) sits on the municipality’s southern edge at the Free State’s largest reservoir. Beyond these, GeoNames lists over 200 farms:
- Alfa
- Aqua
- Arbeidsloon
- Austins Post
- Baakfontein
- Bach Rust
- Bakbank
- Bakenkop
- Bankfontein
- Beginsel
- Bergplaats
- Bethany
- Bloubank
- Bloukop
- Bluegumspoon
- Blydskap
- Boesaksfontain
- Boesmanskop
- Boomplaas
- Boskop
- Bosplaat
- Brakdam
- Brakfontein
- Bullberg
- Bultfontein
- Charleron
- Charlesville
- Clifton
- Cyferfontein
- Dagbreek
- Dampoort
- De Put Wes
- Deeigenoot
- Deelvlei
- Delemont
- Diefontein
- Driefontein
- Driehoek
- Drukop
- Drupfontein
- Du Toitskraal
- Du Toitsrus
- Ebenaeser
- Ellerslie Suid
- Endor
- Erfenis
- Erfurt
- Erideel
- Excelsior
- Florida
- Fonteintjie
- Fouriespruitpoort
- Gariep Dam
- Geluksdam
- Geluksfontein
- Gleniffer
- Goedchoop
- Goedehoop
- Groenvlakte
- Groot-Suurfontein
- Grootfontein
- Grootgeluk
- Grootwater
- Hagesdam
- Hartbeesfontein
- Helderhoek
- Hessiesdeel
- Holmdene
- Hope
- Iona
- Itumeleng
- Jakkalsfontein
- Jonasfontein
- Julies Post
- Kalkoenkrans
- Katfontein
- Klaarwater
- Kleinplaas
- Klipdrif
- Klipplaatdrif
- Knoppiesfontein
- Kommetjesfontein
- Koppie Alleen
- Koppieskraal
- Korthoek
- Koudekraal
- Kraaifontein
- Kraalfontein
- Kroonspruit
- Langkuil
- Langlaagte
- Langrand
- Lasfontein
- Leeuwpoort
- Lemoen Hoek
- Lemoenkloof
- Lente
- Libani
- Liliefontein
- Lilydale
- Lyons Rose
- Mamre
- Meadows
- Meriba
- Merino
- Middelfontein
- Middelwater
- Middendeel
- Misgunsfontein
- Montgomery
- Mooifontein
- Mooihoek
- Mooiplaas
- Môrester
- Noodhulpsdam
- Nooitgedacht
- Nortjesnek
- Olievenkop
- Ommerin
- Ongelukskop
- Oorskot
- Oosdeel
- Oranjekrag
- Oudestrypoort
- Overskat
- Paardedam
- Paardekop
- Paardeplass
- Palmietfontein
- Poortjiesfontein
- Praalhoek
- Rietfontein
- Riviera
- Roodepoort
- Rooderant
- Rooidam
- Rooikraal
- Rooipoort
- Rooirantjies
- Ruspiaas
- Rusplaas
- Saamwerk
- Samekoms
- Samesuiping
- Schoongezicht
- Schoonvlakte
- Sertyn
- Skemer
- Skoonvlakte
- Slagterskop
- Soetfontein
- Sonderlaag
- Spitskop
- Spreeufontein
- Springbok
- Springbokfontein
- Sterkfontein
- Steunmekaar
- Steynskraal
- Stillerust
- Stillestroom
- Stinkhoutfontein
- Swartkoppies
- The Bend
- The Hall
- Tieniesrand
- Truitjesfontein
- Tweefontein
- Tweelingdrift
- Tweespruit
- Twyfelfontein
- Uitenhagesdoorn
- Uitkyk
- Vaalbank
- Van Tonderspoortjie
- Verfkraal
- Visgat
- Visserskop
- Vlakfontein
- Vogelfontein
- Voorwaarts
- Vrede
- Vredevlei
- Waterkloof
- Waterval
- Weltevrede
- Werda
- Weston
- Wilgerfontein
- Witlaagte
- Wolweleegte
Geography
Kopanong stretches from the Orange River in the south, where the Gariep Dam straddles the border with Eastern Cape, to open highveld farmland in the north near Mangaung. At more than 15,600 km², it is the largest municipality in the Free State, which explains its unusually high count of eight towns spread thinly across the land rather than clustered together. It borders Letsemeng to the west and Mohokare to the southeast, with Eastern Cape municipalities across the Orange River and Gariep Dam to the south.
Demographics
Population grew from 49,171 in the 2011 census to 51,832 in 2022, a rise of about 5%. Afrikaans and Sesotho are the leading home languages across the eight towns, with the population spread thinly given the municipality’s size — fewer than 4 people per km² on average.
Economy and Local Life
Sheep and cattle farming underpin the local economy across Kopanong’s grazing land, with wool a significant export alongside meat. Jagersfontein’s economy is tied to its historic diamond mine, one of the world’s earliest kimberlite pipes to be mined; small-scale and informal diamond digging continues around the old workings. The Gariep Dam draws visitors for boating, fishing and birdwatching, one of the district’s few tourism draws, with a resort and nature reserve on its shore.
Getting There
The N1 crosses the municipality’s north through Trompsburg, Edenburg and Springfontein, linking Bloemfontein (about 100 km north) to Colesberg and Cape Town further south. The R701 and R390 connect the more remote southern towns — Bethulie, Philippolis and Gariep Dam — to the N1. Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein is the nearest airport with scheduled flights.
FAQ
What is the seat of Kopanong Local Municipality?
Trompsburg.
How many towns are in Kopanong?
Eight: Trompsburg, Bethulie, Edenburg, Jagersfontein, Reddersburg, Philippolis, Springfontein and Fauresmith.
What is the population of Kopanong?
51,832 people (2022 census), up from 49,171 in 2011.
Which district is Kopanong part of?
Xhariep District Municipality, Free State.
Where is the Gariep Dam?
On Kopanong’s southern boundary with Eastern Cape, the largest dam in South Africa by surface area.
Why does Kopanong have so many towns?
Its size — over 15,600 km², the largest municipality in the Free State — spreads eight small towns across the land instead of one large centre.