Okhahlamba Local Municipality lies in the Drakensberg foothills of KwaZulu-Natal’s uThukela District.
Bergville is the seat. The 2022 census counted 143,132 people across 3,971 km², up from 132,068 in 2011.
The 2001 census recorded Amangwane as the largest traditional ward with 67,829 residents, followed by
the two parts of Bergville (28,372 combined) and Amazizi (16,010); Winterton, Estcourt-adjacent Driefontein
and the reserve areas round out the municipality’s settlement pattern.
Towns and Villages in Okhahlamba
Bergville and Winterton are the main towns, both serving as gateways to the northern and central
Drakensberg resort areas. GeoNames records 34 named places, listed below.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Winterton | Town | 7,224 |
| Bergville | Seat | 1,405 |
- Acton Homes
- Amanzana
- Ardmore
- Bergview
- Bonjaneni
- Busingatha
- Cathkin Park
- Delville
- Dewdrop
- Dragon Peaks
- Dukuza
- eMahhukwini
- Emmaus
- Ethels Drive
- Forest Ranger
- Geluksburg
- Grantleigh
- Hambrook
- Home Farm
- Isandlwana
- Khethani
- Kruisfontein
- Makhwelela
- Northern Drakensburg
- Oliviershoek
- Oqhumu
- Rookdale
- Roseville
- Shambles
- Wolwefontein
- Zunckels
- Zwelisha
Geography
Okhahlamba — the Zulu name for the Drakensberg, meaning “barrier of spears” — stretches from the
uThukela River valley up to the Drakensberg escarpment along the Lesotho border. Within
uThukela District it neighbours
Alfred Duma and
Inkosi Langalibalele.
Demographics
Population rose from 132,068 in 2011 to 143,132 in 2022, up about 8%. isiZulu is the first language of
93% of residents, and 97% of the population is Black African, with a small Afrikaans-speaking farming
community around Bergville and Winterton.
An elected municipal council based in Bergville runs local services, working alongside traditional
leaders (amakhosi) who administer customary land in Okhahlamba’s Amangwane and Amazizi wards.
Economy and Local Life
Tourism is the standout sector: Spioenkop Nature Reserve draws hiking, boating and angling visitors and
also supplies water to parts of Gauteng, while the Spion Kop battlefield attracts Anglo-Boer War heritage
tourism. Commercial and subsistence farming continue in the Bergville and Winterton valleys.
The Drakensberg’s cooler climate and higher rainfall support maize and cattle farming in the Bergville
and Winterton valleys, while lodges along the escarpment cater to hikers heading into the uKhahlamba-
Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. Seasonal snow on the higher peaks and the reliable summer rainfall
feeding the uThukela River give Okhahlamba a cooler climate than most of KwaZulu-Natal.
History
The Spion Kop battlefield, within Okhahlamba, was the site of a major 1900 Anglo-Boer War engagement.
The local municipality itself was established in December 2000 as part of South Africa’s nationwide
local government demarcation.
Getting There
The R74 and R616 link Bergville and Winterton to the N3 near Estcourt and to the Drakensberg resorts.
King Shaka International Airport near Durban is the nearest major airport. Estcourt, on the N3, is the
nearest town with a large hospital.
FAQ
What is the seat of Okhahlamba Municipality?
Bergville.
What is Okhahlamba’s population?
143,132 people at the 2022 census, on 3,971 km².
Which district is Okhahlamba part of?
uThukela District Municipality.
What are the main towns?
Bergville and Winterton.
What language do most Okhahlamba residents speak?
isiZulu, spoken by 93% of residents, with an Afrikaans-speaking farming minority.
Is Okhahlamba mostly urban or rural?
Mostly rural, centred on the small towns of Bergville and Winterton.
Which nature reserve is in Okhahlamba?
Spioenkop Nature Reserve, popular for hiking, boating and angling.
Does Okhahlamba border Lesotho?
Yes, along the Drakensberg escarpment to the west.
What is Okhahlamba’s total area?
3,971 km².
What was Okhahlamba’s population in 2011?
132,068 people, growing to 143,132 by 2022, up about 8%.
Does Okhahlamba have a World Heritage Site?
Yes, it forms part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.
Which district municipality is Okhahlamba part of?
uThukela District Municipality.
What does “Okhahlamba” mean?
It is the Zulu name for the Drakensberg range, meaning “barrier of spears”.