Capricorn District Municipality covers central Limpopo province, named for the Tropic of Capricorn line that runs through it. It had 1,447,102 people at the 2022 census, up from 1,261,463 in 2011, across four local municipalities. The district seat is Polokwane, also Limpopo’s provincial capital.
Local Municipalities in Capricorn
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 pop |
|---|---|---|
| Polokwane | Polokwane | 843,459 |
| Lepelle-Nkumpi | Lebowakgomo | 284,404 |
| Blouberg | Senwabarwana | 192,109 |
| Molemole | Mogwadi (Dendron) | 127,130 |
Major Towns
Polokwane city and its townships Seshego and Mankweng dominate the district’s urban population, followed by Lebowakgomo, Senwabarwana, Zebediela and Mogwadi (Dendron). Beyond these centres, Capricorn is largely rural, made up of hundreds of Northern Sotho-speaking villages under traditional authorities, stretching north to the Botswana border.
Geography
Capricorn spans 21,705 km² on the bushveld plateau of central Limpopo, bordered by the Blouberg mountain range in the north and the Wolkberg foothills in the southeast. The terrain runs from the high, cooler plateau around Polokwane down to hot, dry bushveld toward the Botswana border, and to warmer river valleys in the east around Lepelle-Nkumpi. It borders Mopani and Sekhukhune districts within Limpopo, and shares an international boundary with Botswana in the north via Blouberg.
Economy and Local Life
Polokwane, as Limpopo’s capital, anchors the district’s economy through government administration, retail, banking and light industry, alongside the University of Limpopo at Mankweng and a growing mining-services sector supplying nearby platinum and copper operations. Commercial grain and citrus farming supports Molemole and Lepelle-Nkumpi, the latter home to the historic Zebediela citrus estate. Blouberg’s economy leans on subsistence farming, cattle grazing and cross-border trade with Botswana through the Pontdrift and Platjan border posts. Lebowakgomo, built under the former Lebowa homeland, still functions as a secondary administrative hub within the district.
FAQ
What is the seat of Capricorn District?
Polokwane, also Limpopo’s provincial capital.
How many local municipalities does it have?
Four: Polokwane, Lepelle-Nkumpi, Blouberg and Molemole.
What is the district’s population?
1,447,102 at the 2022 census.
Which province is Capricorn in?
Limpopo.
What is the main industry?
Provincial government and services in Polokwane, plus farming across the rest of the district.
When was Capricorn District formed?
In the 2000 local government reorganisation, when Limpopo’s district boundaries were redrawn.
Which municipality has the largest population?
Polokwane, with 843,459 people at the 2022 census.
What does Capricorn’s name refer to?
The Tropic of Capricorn, the line of latitude that runs through the district.
Does Capricorn border another country?
Yes, Botswana, via Blouberg Local Municipality’s northern boundary.