Blouberg Local Municipality lies in the Capricorn District of Limpopo province, on the border with Botswana. It had 192,109 people at the 2022 census, up from 175,085 in 2011, over 9,539.9 km². The seat is Senwabarwana.
Towns and Villages in Blouberg
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Senwabarwana | Town | seat, also known as Bochum |
| Alldays | Village | farming and border-post village |
| Vivo | Village | service village on the R521 |
| Swartwater | Village | rural ward |
Blouberg counts 98 named places in GeoNames records:
- Addney
- Baltimore
- Blouberg
- Bobirwa
- Bochum
- Bodi
- Borwalathoto
- Botlokwe
- Ditatsu
- Dithabaneng
- Esaurinca
- Fritchley
- Ga-Kibi
- Ga-Kobe
- Ga-Letswalo
- Ga-Mabeba
- Ga-Mabelebele
- Ga-Mabotha
- Ga-Maela
- Ga-Malokela
- Ga-Mamohwibidu
- Ga-Mamoleka
- Ga-Mamolele
- Ga-Mampote
- Ga-Mankgodi
- Ga-Maphoto
- Ga-Masalane
- Ga-Masekwa
- Ga-Maselela
- Ga-Mmatemana
- Ga-Mokopane
- Ga-Monyebodi
- Ga-Motshemi
- Ga-Moyaga
- Ga-Ngwepe
- Ga-Ntshireletsa
- Ga-Ntsoko
- Ga-Raditshaba
- Ga-Rakwele
- Ga-Rammutla
- Ga-Raphokola
- Ga-Rawesi
- Ga-Rummutla
- Ga-Tefu
- Ga-Tshabalala
- Gregory
- Grootpan
- Hananwa
- Helene Franz
- Kawene
- Kgatalala
- Kgokonyane
- Komatie
- Kutumpa
- Kwaring
- Lebu
- Lekiting
- Letswatla
- Loodmyn
- Maasstroom
- Madibeng
- Makgari
- Manthata
- Mathateng
- Matshira
- Mmalebogoslokasie
- Mokudung
- Mokumuru
- Mongalo
- Mophamamona
- Morotsi
- Mosehleng
- Mositone
- Mothagale
- Motshitong
- Nonono
- Royston
- Sebotane
- Sekhung
- Sesalong
- Sethonokgwa
- Setlaole
- Sewale
- Skeenshoek
- Swartwater
- Terveen
- Thalahane
- Thusano
- Tlhonasedimong
- Tokio
- Tolwe
- Tonash
- Tsola Metse
- Tswatsane
- Usutu
- Vivo
- Winterhoek
Geography
Blouberg takes its name from the Blouberg mountain range — “blue mountain” in Afrikaans — which rises across the municipality’s centre and draws rock climbers to some of South Africa’s most rated sandstone cliffs. The area borders Botswana to the north, with the Limpopo River marking part of the international boundary. Within Capricorn District it borders Molemole, Lepelle-Nkumpi and Polokwane.
Demographics
The population grew from 175,085 at the 2011 census to 192,109 in 2022, a rise of about 10%, slower than most of Capricorn District. Northern Sotho is the dominant home language, spoken by close to 94% of residents, reflecting the Hananwa and Molepo communities settled around the Blouberg range.
Economy and Local Life
Blouberg’s economy rests on subsistence and small-scale commercial farming, cattle grazing, and cross-border trade through the Pontdrift and Platjan border posts to Botswana. Vivo and Alldays serve as service villages for the surrounding commercial farms, some of which grow citrus and cotton under irrigation. Rock climbing and hiking on the Blouberg massif support a small but growing tourism trade, with several climbing lodges operating on the mountain’s flanks.
Getting There
The R521 runs north through Vivo and Alldays toward the Botswana border. Polokwane International Airport, about 100 km away, is the nearest scheduled airport.
History
Blouberg Local Municipality was formed in the 2000 local government reorganisation, combining the former farming town of Senwabarwana (previously Bochum) with the surrounding Hananwa and Molepo traditional areas. The Blouberg mountain range at the municipality’s centre was the site of the 1894 Battle of Blouberg, where the Hananwa people under Chief Malebogo resisted Boer forces before their eventual defeat.
FAQ
What is the seat of Blouberg?
Senwabarwana, also known as Bochum.
How many towns are in Blouberg?
GeoNames records list 98 named places.
What is the population?
192,109 at the 2022 census, up from 175,085 in 2011.
Which district and province is it in?
Capricorn District, Limpopo province.
What is the main industry?
Subsistence and commercial farming, plus cross-border trade with Botswana.
Was Senwabarwana always called that?
No, the town was previously known as Bochum before being renamed after 2000.
What is the largest settlement?
Ga-Manthata, recorded with over 72,000 residents in the 2001 census.
Which border posts serve Blouberg?
Pontdrift and Platjan, both crossing into Botswana.
What draws climbers to Blouberg?
The Blouberg mountain range’s sandstone cliffs, among South Africa’s most rated climbing sites.
What happened at the Battle of Blouberg?
In 1894, the Hananwa people under Chief Malebogo resisted Boer forces from the mountain before their defeat.
How far is Senwabarwana from Polokwane?
Roughly 90 km northwest, along the R521.