Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality lies in the Mopani District of Limpopo province, on the western boundary of Kruger National Park. It had 188,603 people at the 2022 census, up from 150,637 in 2011, over 7,489.6 km². The seat is Phalaborwa.
Towns and Villages in Ba-Phalaborwa
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Phalaborwa | Town | seat, copper-mining town |
| Namakgale | Township | largest residential township |
| Gravelotte | Village | former emerald-mining village |
| Murchison | Village | farming settlement |
| Leydsdorp | Village | historic gold-rush village |
Ba-Phalaborwa’s GeoNames pack lists 23 named places:
- Ga-Mashishimale
- Ga-Masisimale
- Gravelotte
- Humulani
- Josephine
- Kostini
- Leydsdorp
- Makushane Location
- Maseki Location
- Mashishimale
- Mashisimali Location
- Mhalamhala
- Mulati
- Murchison
- Namakgale
- Namakgale-A
- Nhlarweni
- Nshawu
- Phalaborwa
- Salwana
- Shilowa
- Silwana’s Location
- Tsende
Geography
Ba-Phalaborwa sits directly against the western fence of Kruger National Park, on the Lowveld plain drained by the Olifants River, which flows into Kruger itself at the Olifants Gorge. Mineral-rich soils around Phalaborwa town host the copper and phosphate ore bodies that gave the town its name — “phala borwa” means “better than the south” in Northern Sotho. Within Mopani District it borders Greater Giyani and Maruleng.
Demographics
The population grew from 150,637 at the 2011 census to 188,603 in 2022, a rise of about 25%. Namakgale township holds the largest concentration of residents outside Phalaborwa town, with most working households tied to mining, tourism or municipal services.
Economy and Local Life
Copper and phosphate mining anchors the economy: Phalaborwa hosts one of South Africa’s largest open-pit copper mines, operated by Palabora Mining Company, alongside phosphate operations that have run since the 1950s. Tourism tied to Kruger National Park’s Phalaborwa Gate adds a second major sector, with lodges and safari operators clustered along the park boundary. Citrus farming around Gravelotte and Murchison, both former mining settlements, adds a third strand to the local economy.
Getting There
The R71 links Phalaborwa to Tzaneen and Polokwane, and the R40 runs south toward Hoedspruit. Phalaborwa Airport, on the town’s edge, runs scheduled flights to Johannesburg and serves as a gateway for Kruger National Park visitors.
History
Phalaborwa’s copper deposits were mined on a small scale for centuries before commercial mining began in the 1950s under the Palabora Mining Company, which built the modern town to house its workforce. Namakgale township was established nearby under apartheid-era planning to house Black mineworkers and their families. Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality took its current form in the 2000 local government reorganisation.
FAQ
What is the seat of Ba-Phalaborwa?
Phalaborwa.
How many towns are in Ba-Phalaborwa?
GeoNames records list 23 named places, the largest being Namakgale and Phalaborwa.
What is the population?
188,603 at the 2022 census, up from 150,637 in 2011.
Which district and province is it in?
Mopani District, Limpopo province.
What is the main industry?
Copper and phosphate mining, plus tourism linked to Kruger National Park.
When did commercial mining start at Phalaborwa?
In the 1950s, under the Palabora Mining Company.
What is the largest township?
Namakgale, built to house mineworkers and their families.
What does the name Phalaborwa mean?
“Better than the south” in Northern Sotho.
Is Ba-Phalaborwa a gateway to Kruger?
Yes, via the Phalaborwa Gate, one of the park’s main western entrances.
What historic settlements are in Ba-Phalaborwa?
Gravelotte, a former emerald-mining village, and Leydsdorp, a 19th-century gold-rush village.
How far is Phalaborwa from Polokwane?
Roughly 130 km east, along the R71.
What is the size of Ba-Phalaborwa?
7,489.6 km², the largest of Mopani District’s five local municipalities.
What is the seat’s population?
Phalaborwa town has a recorded population of roughly 109,000.
What is the population density?
About 25 people per km², the lowest among Mopani District’s five local municipalities.
Which neighbouring municipality lies to the north?
Greater Giyani.