Harry Gwala District Municipality covers the southern inland reaches of KwaZulu-Natal, from the Drakensberg foothills to the Eastern Cape border. The 2022 census counted 563,893 people across four local municipalities (460,526 in 2011), covering 10,547 km². The district seat is Ixopo. It was known as Sisonke District Municipality until renamed in November 2015 to honour ANC leader Harry Gwala.
Quick Facts
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Status | District Municipality (4 locals) |
| Seat | Ixopo |
| Area | 10,547 km² |
| Population (2011) | 460,526 |
| Population (2022) | 563,893 |
| Former name | Sisonke District Municipality |
Local Municipalities in Harry Gwala
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 population |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuhlebezwe (Johannes Phumani Phungula) | Ixopo | 133,032 |
| Umzimkhulu | Umzimkhulu | 220,620 |
| Greater Kokstad | Kokstad | 81,676 |
| Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | Creighton | 128,565 |
Major Towns in Harry Gwala District
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Kokstad | Seat | 61,751 |
| Ixopo | Seat | 14,929 |
| Ibisikululwa | Town/village | 3,554 |
| Underberg | Town/village | 3,227 |
| Franklin | Town/village | 2,417 |
| Himeville | Seat | 2,033 |
Other settlements and localities in the municipality:
- Alderly
- Avocadale
- Beersheba
- Blackmoor
- Brechen
- Buckquoy
- Bulwer
- Cars End
- Cartriff
- Centocow
- Chatwall
- Chatwell
- Coleford
- Cooperdale
- Costmore
- Cranswick
- Creighton
- Cromwell
- Crystal Waters
- Donnybrook
- Drakensberg Garden
- Eastlyn
- Ekuthuleni
- Elandskop
- Epsom
- Fairfield
- Fairview
- Ferrby
- Fettercairn
- Finchley
- Forest View
- Gailynn
- Gala
- Garden Castle
- Gaybrook
- Glen Bain
- Goxe
- Hansonia
- Hartlea
- Highbury
- Highflats
- Hilltop
- Hlokozi
- Islington
- Ivanhoe
- Jokweni
- Joubertstroom
- Kempdale
- Keyelaer
- Kingscote
- Kingston
- Kruisfontein
- KwaBhidla
- KwaMphephethwa
- KwaPheshe
- KwaSandanezwe
- Lockwood Hall
- Longlands
- Magadini
- Magdalena
- Makhuzeni
- Makuzeni
- Mangwanteni
- Manston
- Mashayilanga
- Matshetshisa
- Mbodleni
- Mfulamhle
- Middle Valley
- Mkhomazana
- Mkobeni
- Mkunya
- Mpesheya
- Mphesheya
- Mpumulwane
- Mqatsheni
- Nazareth
- Ndonyane
- New Garret
- Ngudwini
- Ngwangwana
- Njunga
- Nkelabantwana
- Nkifa Farm
- Nkronze
- Nkumba
- Nkwezela
- Nolangeni
- Nsimbini
- Ntsikeni
- Oaklands
- Oatlands
- Pampa
- Pevensey Place
- Pine Cleugh
- Polela
- Radley
- Retreat
- Rietfontein
- Riversdale
- Rustfontein
- Saint Elmo
- Saint Isidore
- Saint Mirlarm
- Sani Pass
- Scotston
- Seaforth
- Sebensa
- Siphahleni
- Siphangeni
- Spitskop
- Steadmore
- Sun Valley Farm
- Sunnyside
- Swartberg
- Telgte
- Thembeni
- Thonsini
- Thornham
- Water Fall
- Waterfall
- Weathercote
- Winters
- Wycliffe
- Xosheyakhe
- e Dazini
- eFikesuthe
- eMdutshini
- eMfulumane
- eMkhohlwa
Geography
Harry Gwala District is bordered by Umgungundlovu District to the north, Ugu District to the east, the Eastern Cape’s OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts to the south and west, and Lesotho along its western mountain edge near Sani Pass. Terrain ranges from Midlands grassland around Ixopo to high Drakensberg escarpment near Underberg.
Economy
Farming, forestry and livestock dominate outside the four seat towns, with Kokstad functioning as the district’s main commercial hub for both KwaZulu-Natal and the neighbouring Eastern Cape, and Underberg anchoring tourism to the southern Drakensberg and Sani Pass.
The district straddles the transition from KwaZulu-Natal Midlands farmland to the Eastern Cape’s East Griqualand, which is why Kokstad and Umzimkhulu retain strong trade links southward as well as toward Pietermaritzburg.
FAQ
What is the seat of Harry Gwala District Municipality?
Ixopo.
How many local municipalities make up Harry Gwala District?
Four: Ubuhlebezwe, Umzimkhulu, Greater Kokstad and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
What was Harry Gwala District called before?
Sisonke District Municipality, renamed in November 2015.
What is the district’s population?
563,893 at the 2022 census, up from 460,526 in 2011.
How big is Harry Gwala District?
10,547 km², bordering Lesotho and the Eastern Cape.
Which local municipality has the most people?
Umzimkhulu, with 220,620 residents at the 2022 census.