Gert Sibande District Municipality covers southeastern Mpumalanga, South Africa. Its seven local municipalities held 1,283,459 people at the 2022 census, up from 1,043,194 in 2011. Ermelo, seat of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, is the district seat.
Local Municipalities in Gert Sibande
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 Pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Msukaligwa | Ermelo | 199,314 |
| Mkhondo | Piet Retief | 255,411 |
| Albert Luthuli | Carolina | 247,664 |
| Govan Mbeki | Secunda | 310,117 |
| Pixley ka Seme | Volksrust | 115,304 |
| Lekwa | Standerton | 119,669 |
| Dipaleseng | Balfour | 35,980 |
Major Towns
Aggregating the seven local municipalities’ settlement packs, the district’s largest towns by recorded population:
- Ermelo (Msukaligwa) — 100,324
- Standerton (Lekwa) — 101,101
- Piet Retief (Mkhondo) — 84,349
- Bethal (Govan Mbeki) — 72,821
- eMbalenhle (Govan Mbeki) — 142,443
- Balfour (Dipaleseng) — 46,008
- Volksrust (Pixley ka Seme) — 43,378
- Trichardt (Govan Mbeki) — 52,776
- Lukwatini (Albert Luthuli) — 37,362
- Leslie (Govan Mbeki) — 39,514
- Driefontein (Mkhondo) — 28,127
- Nhlazatje (Albert Luthuli) — 28,224
- Redhill (Albert Luthuli) — 23,153
- Secunda (Govan Mbeki, seat) — 20,418
- Carolina (Albert Luthuli, seat) — 20,184
- Breyten (Msukaligwa) — 17,189
- Daggakraal (Pixley ka Seme) — 15,793
- Amersfoort (Pixley ka Seme) — 14,778
- Fernie (Albert Luthuli) — 15,693
- Empuluzu (Albert Luthuli) — 15,008
Geography
Gert Sibande covers the southern Mpumalanga Highveld, from the pan-dotted grassland around Chrissiesmeer and Ermelo to the eSwatini border towns of Piet Retief and Carolina, and west to Standerton on the upper Vaal River. Coal seams underlie much of the district, feeding several Eskom power stations and Sasol’s Secunda synfuels plant, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The district takes its name from Gert Sibande, an ANC and trade-union leader active in the Mpumalanga region.
Economy and Local Life
Coal mining, Sasol’s coal-to-liquid-fuels operation at Secunda, and commercial maize and livestock farming drive the district economy. Ermelo and Standerton serve as regional trade and transport hubs on the N11 and N3 corridors, while Piet Retief and Carolina anchor forestry and cross-border trade toward eSwatini in the district’s eastern reaches.
FAQ
What is the seat of Gert Sibande District Municipality?
Ermelo.
How many local municipalities make up Gert Sibande?
Seven: Msukaligwa, Mkhondo, Albert Luthuli, Govan Mbeki, Pixley ka Seme, Lekwa and Dipaleseng.
What is the population of Gert Sibande District?
1,283,459 at the 2022 census, up from 1,043,194 in 2011.
Which province is Gert Sibande in?
Mpumalanga.
What is Gert Sibande District’s largest employer?
Sasol’s coal-to-liquid-fuels plant at Secunda.
Which municipality in Gert Sibande has the largest population?
Govan Mbeki, with 310,117 people at the 2022 census.
Which municipality in Gert Sibande has the smallest population?
Dipaleseng, with 35,980 people at the 2022 census.