Molemole Local Municipality lies in the Capricorn District of Limpopo province, north of Polokwane. It had 127,130 people at the 2022 census, up slightly from 126,506 in 2011, over 3,627.6 km². The seat is Mogwadi (Dendron).
Towns and Villages in Molemole
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mogwadi (Dendron) | Town | seat, farming service town |
| Morbeng | Village | rural ward |
| Nthabiseng | Village | rural ward |
| Solomondale | Village | rural ward |
Molemole’s GeoNames pack lists 47 named places:
- Brakspruit
- Daviesville
- Dendron
- Die Onderste
- Doringboom
- Dwarsrivier
- Eisleben
- Fatima Mission
- Ga-Kgare
- Ga-Manthata
- Ga-Mokgehle
- Ga-Mokwele
- Ga-Moleele
- Ga-Phasha
- Ga-Poopedi
- Ga-Ramokgopa
- Ga-Sako
- Ga-Tibu
- Groothoek
- Kalkbank
- Leeuwkraal
- Legkraal
- Legotlhong
- Locatie van Ramagoep
- Makgodu
- Mangata
- Matokslokasie
- Mission
- Mmatseke
- Morbeng
- Morebeng
- Motshele
- Mphakane
- Mphakane 1
- Naledi
- Net Recht
- Nthabiseng
- Ramatshowe
- Regdaar
- Rita
- Sekakene
- Shakoleng
- Soetdorings
- Solomondale
- Thorndale
- Tshitale
- Wagendrift
Geography
Molemole lies on the Springbok Flats, a maize- and vegetable-farming plain north of the Soutpansberg foothills. The terrain is gently rolling bushveld, with deep, workable soils that make it one of Limpopo’s more productive dryland-farming areas. Within Capricorn District it borders Polokwane, Blouberg and Lepelle-Nkumpi.
Demographics
The population rose only slightly, from 126,506 at the 2011 census to 127,130 in 2022 — under 1% growth over the period, one of the slowest rates among Capricorn District’s municipalities. Northern Sotho is the dominant home language, spoken by close to 88% of residents, with most households settled in the rural wards rather than in Mogwadi itself.
Economy and Local Life
Commercial grain and vegetable farming around Mogwadi (Dendron) is the municipality’s main economic activity, supported by irrigation from the area’s boreholes and small dams — the town has long been known as a grain-trading centre for northern Limpopo. Most rural households outside the farming belt rely on subsistence agriculture, cattle and remittances from family working in Polokwane.
Getting There
The R81 runs through Mogwadi, linking Polokwane to Vivo and the Botswana border post at Pontdrift. Polokwane International Airport is the nearest scheduled airport, about 60 km away.
History
Mogwadi was known as Dendron, an Afrikaans-Greek hybrid name referring to trees, until it was officially renamed Mogwadi after 2005 as part of South Africa’s post-apartheid place-name reforms. Molemole Local Municipality itself was formed in the 2000 local government reorganisation, splitting off from the larger Aganang area and combining the town with surrounding former Lebowa-administered wards.
FAQ
What is the seat of Molemole?
Mogwadi, also known as Dendron.
How many towns are in Molemole?
GeoNames records list 47 named places.
What is the population?
127,130 at the 2022 census, up from 126,506 in 2011.
Which district and province is it in?
Capricorn District, Limpopo province.
What is the main industry?
Commercial grain and vegetable farming.
Was Mogwadi always called that?
No, it was known as Dendron until it was officially renamed Mogwadi after 2005.
What is the largest settlement?
Mogwadi (Dendron), the seat, followed by Morbeng.
What is Molemole’s terrain like?
Gently rolling bushveld on the Springbok Flats, suited to dryland and irrigated grain farming.
How far is Molemole from Polokwane?
Mogwadi lies roughly 60 km north of Polokwane along the R81.
What language is mostly spoken?
Northern Sotho, spoken by close to 88% of residents.
What crops does Molemole grow?
Mainly maize, sunflowers and vegetables, under both dryland and irrigated farming.
What is the size of Molemole?
3,627.6 km², the smallest of Capricorn District’s four local municipalities.
Which municipality borders Molemole to the west?
Blouberg Local Municipality.
What is the population density?
About 35 people per km², reflecting its farming-belt land use.
Which municipality borders Molemole to the south?
Polokwane Local Municipality.
What is Molemole’s area in full?
3,627.6 km², spanning the Springbok Flats farming belt north of Polokwane.