Kagisano–Molopo Local Municipality lies in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of North West province. The 2022 census counted 112,130 people across 23,827 km², up from 105,789 in 2011. The seat is Ganyesa.
Towns and Villages in Kagisano–Molopo
| Place | Type |
|---|---|
| Ganyesa | Seat |
| Pomfret (2,323) | Village |
| Piet Plessis (1,982) | Village |
| Bray (1,625) | Village |
Other named places recorded across the municipality:
- Ainslie
- Akron
- Alettasrus
- Algiers
- Athole
- Austrey
- Bahurutshe
- Bonabona
- Bonmail
- Bowen
- Bull Run
- Coetzersdam
- Crafthole
- Dihatshwe
- Dijwe
- Dinake
- Dipodi
- Driefontein
- Drillhole
- Egham
- Eskdale
- Eureka
- Ewbank’s Store
- Ga-Madikwe
- Ga-Motsage
- Ga-Motsoko
- Gankwane
- Gannahoek
- Gemsbokvlakte
- Goodwood
- Howden
- Iowa
- Itireleng
- Kabayatlhose
- Kagiso
- Kang
- Keisersrus
- Kgareyatlhose
- Kgokgojane
- Kgokgole
- Khudu
- Khudunkgwane
- Khunkwe
- Kibikwe
- Kibitlwe
- Kirstonia
- Klein-Tswaing
- Konke
- Laaspomp
- Labera
- Lejakane
- Lotlapa
- Louwna
- Mabone
- Mabule
- Madiakgama
- Madinonyane
- Madithoke
- Maeng
- Maer Jan
- Magaabue
- Makarakong
- Mapitiki
- Matlhabatlhaba
- Matloding
- Matsaneng
- Metsetoro
- Mmaphuti
- Mmolayatshephe
- Modiselele
- Mogalaneng
- Mokgalong
- Moloporivier
- Monetsi
- Monyenyane
- Morna
- Morokwaneng
- Morokweng
- Mositlane
- Moswana
- Ophir
- Pautlane
- Pembroke
- Phaposane
- Phepane
- Povall
- Redbarn
- Roelofs Kamp
- Ryno
- Seatlane
- Selobane
- Setabeng
- Soutbos
- Southey
- Stoffelshoek
- Tlapeng
- Tlhakgameng
- Tosca
- Tseng
- Tshetshu
- Tshetshwana
- Tuhutsang
- Vanwykshuis
- Vergeleë
- Viera
- Vorstershoop
- Vrygees
- Vrywillig
- Water-fouché
Geography
Kagisano–Molopo occupies the far north-western corner of North West province, on the Botswana border. It borders Moshaweng Local Municipality in the Northern Cape to the south-west, Greater Taung to the south, Naledi to the south-east and Ratlou to the east. At 23,827 km², it is the largest and most sparsely populated municipality in the district.
The name Kagisano–Molopo combines “Kagisano,” Setswana for peace, with the Molopo River, a mostly dry riverbed that forms part of the border with Botswana along the municipality’s northern edge.
Demographics
Population rose from 105,789 in the 2011 census to 112,130 in the 2022 census, growth of about 6%. Population density is around 4.4 people per km², among the lowest in North West, reflecting the arid, semi-desert character of the terrain.
The municipality is scattered across dozens of small villages and farm settlements rather than concentrated in towns — most named places in the settlement data carry no separately recorded census population, a pattern typical of the Kalahari-fringe portion of the province.
Economy and Local Life
Kagisano–Molopo’s economy runs on extensive cattle and game farming across its vast, thinly populated area, with small trading centres at Ganyesa, Morokweng and Piet Plessis serving the surrounding villages. The semi-arid climate limits crop farming, making livestock the dominant land use across most of the municipality’s 23,827 km², with cattle ranching the mainstay for most households outside the small trading centres.
Getting There
Ganyesa lies on the R376, about 150 km north-west of Vryburg, the nearest city with an airfield. The Vorstershoop border post connects the municipality to Botswana, and long gravel roads link the scattered villages to the tarred provincial routes.
FAQ
What is the seat of Kagisano–Molopo Local Municipality?
Ganyesa.
What is the population of Kagisano–Molopo?
112,130 people at the 2022 census, up from 105,789 in 2011.
Which district is Kagisano–Molopo in?
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, North West province.
How big is Kagisano–Molopo Local Municipality?
23,827 km² — the largest municipality in the district.
Which municipalities border Kagisano–Molopo?
Greater Taung and Naledi within Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Ratlou in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, plus Moshaweng in the Northern Cape and Botswana across the northern border.
Why is Kagisano–Molopo so sparsely populated?
Its semi-arid, Kalahari-fringe terrain supports mainly cattle and game farming rather than dense settlement.
What towns has Pomfret been associated with?
Pomfret is a former asbestos-mining settlement, now a small village within the municipality.
What other villages act as local trading points?
Morokweng and Piet Plessis, alongside the seat, Ganyesa.
What border post connects Kagisano–Molopo to Botswana?
The Vorstershoop border post, in the north of the municipality.