Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality lies in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District of North West province. The 2022 census counted 161,605 people across 7,322.8 km², up from 150,713 in 2011. The seat is Zeerust.
Towns and Villages in Ramotshere Moiloa
| Place | Type | Pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Zeerust | Seat | 19,154 |
| Lehurutshe | Village | 8,252 |
| Groot-Marico | Village | 4,054 |
Other named places recorded across the municipality:
- Aapdraai
- Borakalalo
- Borothamadi
- Botlhaolelo
- Dinokana
- Doornhoek
- Doornlaagte
- Driefontein
- Driehoek
- Ga-Matshogo
- Ga-Suping
- Ga-Titi
- Goorathebe
- Gopane
- Kalkpan
- Keatuka
- Koedoesfontein
- Kubu
- Kuilenburg
- Kwaggafontein
- Lekgophung
- Lekubu
- Liversedge
- Lobatieng
- Lobotane
- Loubsersrus
- Madabana
- Madikwe Game Reserve
- Madutle
- Manwane
- Maphephane
- Marico-Wes
- Masewu
- Matlhase
- Matluetla
- Matsiapane
- Melorane
- Meseg
- Mmasebudule
- Mokaleng
- Mokgola
- Motswedi
- Nietverdiend
- Nkwedumang
- Puaneng
- Ruitjesvlakte
- Sandpoortjie
- Seane
- Sengoma
- Setete
- Sikwane
- Snymansvlei
- Supingstad
- Swartkopfonteinhek
- Torrington
- Wegdraai
- Welbedacht
- Wilgeboomspruit
- Witkleigat
- Wykeham
Geography
Ramotshere Moiloa sits in the west of Ngaka Modiri Molema District, along the Botswana border, bordering Mahikeng, Ditsobotla and Tswaing local municipalities. The Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s larger malaria-free reserves, lies within the municipality alongside the Marico River valley.
The Marico River valley, running south from Groot-Marico toward Zeerust, is known for its bushveld scenery and springs, and gives its name to the district’s citrus and cattle farms. The municipality’s terrain shifts from the more open bushveld near Zeerust to hillier country around Groot-Marico in the south, an area associated with the writer Herman Charles Bosman’s Marico-set short stories.
Demographics
Population grew from 150,713 in the 2011 census to 161,605 in the 2022 census, a rise of about 7%. The area combines Zeerust’s town population with numerous traditional villages in the former Bophuthatswana heartland, a pattern shared with Ratlou and Tswaing elsewhere in the district.
Villages such as Dinokana, Gopane and Lehurutshe sit within the former Moiloa “reserve” area, named for the Bahurutshe chief Moiloa, from whom the municipality partly takes its name alongside the historic settlement of Ramotshere.
Economy and Local Life
Farming — cattle, maize and citrus around the Marico valley — anchors the local economy, alongside tourism linked to the Madikwe Game Reserve and Zeerust’s role as a service town for the surrounding villages. Marico district cheese and citrus production have some regional recognition, and cross-border trade with Botswana supports Zeerust’s retail sector. Game lodges around Madikwe employ residents from nearby villages such as Sikwane and Nietverdiend, adding a tourism income stream alongside farming and municipal employment.
Getting There
Zeerust sits on the N4, about 100 km west of Mahikeng, the nearest city and airport, and close to the Skilpadshek border post into Botswana. The R49 links Zeerust south to Groot-Marico and onward to Rustenburg.
FAQ
What is the seat of Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality?
Zeerust.
What is the population of Ramotshere Moiloa?
161,605 people at the 2022 census, up from 150,713 in 2011.
Which district is Ramotshere Moiloa in?
Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, North West province.
What game reserve is in Ramotshere Moiloa?
Madikwe Game Reserve.
How big is Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality?
7,322.8 km².
Which municipalities border Ramotshere Moiloa?
Mahikeng, Ditsobotla and Tswaing, all within Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
What is the Marico valley known for?
Citrus and cattle farming, bushveld scenery, and the Madikwe Game Reserve.
What villages make up the former Moiloa reserve area?
Dinokana, Gopane and Lehurutshe are among the largest, part of the historic Bahurutshe chieftaincy lands.
Is Zeerust close to the Botswana border?
Yes — the Skilpadshek border post lies within the municipality, a short drive from Zeerust.
Is Ramotshere Moiloa mostly rural?
Yes — beyond Zeerust, most residents live in villages spread across the former Bophuthatswana Moiloa reserve area.
Is the population of Ramotshere Moiloa growing?
Yes — up about 7% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses.