Steve Tshwete Local Municipality is part of Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga province. The 2022 census counted 242,031 people over 3,976 km², up from 229,831 in 2011. Its seat is Middelburg, which also serves as the district seat of Nkangala. The municipality is named after Steve Tshwete, an ANC activist imprisoned on Robben Island from 1964 to 1983.
Towns and Villages in Steve Tshwete
Middelburg anchors the municipality as both district and local seat, with Hendrina, Doornkop, Rietkuil, Pullens Hope, Komati and Blinkpan strung along the coalfields and power-station belt to the east and south.
| Place | Type | Pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Middelburg | Seat | 196,263 |
| Hendrina | Town | 27,300 |
| Rietkuil | Town | 4,355 |
| Pullens Hope | Town | 4,120 |
| Komati | Town | 2,181 |
| Doornkop | Town | 6,037 |
| Blinkpan | Town | 1,446 |
Smaller settlements and localities:
- Arnot
- Blesbok
- Boschkloof
- Bosmanspan
- Botshabelo
- Braybank
- Dennesig
- Douglas
- Enkangala
- Goedehoop
- Groot Drakenstein
- Hendrinakrag
- Jonkerville
- Kanonkop
- Lammerkop
- Many Waters
- Meerlus
- Mhluzi
- Schoonoord
- Sizanane
- Tienfontein
- Tokologo
- Uitskot
- Vlakfontein
- Wildebeesfontein
- Winterkamp
Geography
Steve Tshwete straddles Highveld grassland and coal-mining land in central Nkangala District, roughly midway between Pretoria and the Mpumalanga escarpment. It borders Emalahleni, Victor Khanye and Emakhazeni within Nkangala District. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, cut by rail lines and power infrastructure serving the surrounding collieries.
Demographics
Population rose from 229,831 in 2011 to 242,031 in 2022, up about 5%. Zulu (34.4%), Afrikaans (29.6%) and Southern Ndebele (14.9%) are the leading home languages. The municipal council has 58 members elected under mixed-member proportional representation, one of the largest councils in Nkangala District given the municipality’s size.
Economy and Local Life
Coal mining and power generation dominate the economy, with Eskom’s Arnot and Komati power stations and several collieries in the municipal area. Middelburg also has a significant steel and ferrochrome industry, drawing on rail links through the town, and hosts a large industrial park serving mining and manufacturing suppliers. The town’s commercial centre also serves as a regional shopping and services hub for surrounding coal towns such as Hendrina and Komati. Municipal worker strikes since 2021 have at times disrupted licensing, property transfers and waste removal services, a recurring local governance issue.
Getting There
Middelburg sits on the N4 and N11, roughly two hours east of Pretoria on the route to Nelspruit and Maputo. Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport lies about an hour further east. The N11 also links Middelburg south toward eMalahleni and Standerton, making it a natural crossroads for eastern Mpumalanga traffic.
FAQ
What is the seat of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality?
Middelburg is the seat.
What is the population of Steve Tshwete?
242,031 people at the 2022 census, up from 229,831 in 2011.
Which district is Steve Tshwete part of?
Nkangala District Municipality, in Mpumalanga.
What towns are in Steve Tshwete?
Middelburg, Hendrina, Doornkop, Rietkuil, Pullens Hope, Komati and Blinkpan are the main towns.
What is the municipality’s economy based on?
Coal mining, Eskom power stations and steel/ferrochrome processing around Middelburg.
Who is Steve Tshwete named after?
Steve Tshwete, an ANC and South African Communist Party activist imprisoned on Robben Island from 1964 to 1983.
Is Steve Tshwete the same town as Middelburg?
Middelburg is the main town and seat of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, which also includes Hendrina, Komati and several smaller towns.
Which municipalities border Steve Tshwete?
Emalahleni, Victor Khanye and Emakhazeni, all within Nkangala District.
Is Middelburg also a district seat?
Yes. Middelburg serves as both Steve Tshwete’s local seat and the seat of Nkangala District Municipality, roughly two hours by road from Pretoria via the N4.
What is Middelburg’s role in the district?
Beyond its own municipal functions, Middelburg hosts the Nkangala District Municipality’s administrative offices, making it the district’s de facto capital.