Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality covers the northern half of North West province, named after physician and historical figure Dr Silas Molema. The 2022 census counted 937,723 people across its five member municipalities, up from 842,699 in 2011. Its seat, Mahikeng, is also the provincial capital.
Local Municipalities in Ngaka Modiri Molema
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Mahikeng | Mahikeng | 354,504 |
| Ditsobotla | Lichtenburg | 164,176 |
| Ramotshere Moiloa | Zeerust | 161,605 |
| Tswaing | Delareyville | 128,672 |
| Ratlou | Setlagole | 128,766 |
Major Towns
- Mahikeng — provincial capital, district seat
- Mmabatho — township adjoining Mahikeng
- Lichtenburg — largest town in Ditsobotla
- Itsoseng — township in Ditsobotla
- Coligny — town in Ditsobotla
- Zeerust — seat of Ramotshere Moiloa
- Lehurutshe — village in Ramotshere Moiloa
- Groot-Marico — village in Ramotshere Moiloa
- Ottosdal — town in Tswaing
- Sannieshof — town in Tswaing
- Delareyville — seat of Tswaing
- Setlagole — seat of Ratlou
- Mareetsane — village in Ratlou
- Madibogo — village in Ratlou
- Kraaipan — village in Ratlou
Geography
Ngaka Modiri Molema, formerly the Central District Municipality, spans 28,206 km² in the north of North West province, bordering Botswana and Limpopo. The terrain is flat bushveld and farmland typical of the former Bophuthatswana heartland, with Mahikeng anchoring the district as both provincial and district seat. Mahikeng is by far the largest and most urbanised of the five member municipalities, while Ratlou, Tswaing, Ditsobotla and Ramotshere Moiloa remain largely rural, spread across hundreds of small villages.
The district is named after Dr Silas Molema (1891–1965), a physician and historical figure from the Mafeking area, and was known as the Central District Municipality before its 2003 renaming.
Economy and Local Life
The district’s economy is built on commercial grain and cattle farming across its rural municipalities, with fluorspar mining near Mahikeng and government administration concentrated in the provincial capital. Ditsobotla and Tswaing both host significant maize and sunflower farming operations, while Ramotshere Moiloa’s Marico valley supports citrus and cattle farming alongside tourism linked to the Madikwe Game Reserve. Ditsobotla in particular has faced serious governance and service-delivery difficulties in recent years, drawing provincial and national intervention.
FAQ
What is the seat of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality?
Mahikeng, which is also the capital of North West province.
How many local municipalities does Ngaka Modiri Molema have?
Five: Mahikeng, Ditsobotla, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing and Ratlou.
What is the population of Ngaka Modiri Molema?
937,723 people at the 2022 census, up from 842,699 in 2011.
How big is Ngaka Modiri Molema District?
28,206 km².
Which is the largest local municipality by population?
Mahikeng, with 354,504 people at the 2022 census — more than a third of the district total.
What was the district called before Ngaka Modiri Molema?
The Central District Municipality.