ǃKheis Local Municipality sits along the Orange River in the Northern Cape’s ZF Mgcawu
District, with its seat at Groblershoop. The 2022 census counted 21,954 people across
11,102 km², up from 16,637 in 2011.
It is one of the smallest and most sparsely populated municipalities in the district, its
farms and hamlets strung out along the Orange River between Groblershoop and Wegdraai. The
name ǃKheis refers to a local Khoe clan name, distinct from the small settlement of Kheis
itself, a river-crossing point within the municipality.
Groblershoop is a modest service town, but the Boegoeberg Dam irrigation scheme just upstream
supports one of the district’s older organised farming areas, dating to the early 1930s.
Towns and Villages in ǃKheis
Groblershoop is the seat and main service centre; Grootdrink and Wegdraai are the largest
river settlements. GeoNames records 76 named places, most of them small farms, listed below.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Groblershoop | Seat | — |
| Grootdrink | Town | 3,169 |
| Wegdraai | Town | 2,622 |
| Gannaput | Village | 1,674 |
- Arbeidsvreug
- Balburney
- Bastersput
- Blouputs
- Boegoeberg Besproeiings Nedersetting
- Boegoeberg Dam
- Bosbult
- Brierspan
- Brussel
- Constantia
- Cruachan
- Dagbreek
- De Hoop
- De Niel
- Deniel
- Diemansput-suid
- Droogenhoutputs
- Edenville
- Eldorado
- Fransenville
- Gariep
- Geduld
- Gemsbokbult
- Gerhardtsput
- Geselskap
- Hartebeest Vlakte
- Hedley Plains
- Holboskolk
- Johnniesdale
- Johnniesluck
- Kameelpoort
- Kheis
- Klein Droëhout
- Klein Mottelsrivier
- Kraalkop
- La Kocks Hoop
- Langbaken
- Malanswil
- Merino
- Middelerf
- Moolmansdam
- Môreson
- Morrels Puts
- Murasie
- Patryspan
- Putsies B
- Putsonderwater
- Rooilyf
- Sidi Barrani
- Skeerhok
- Skerpioenpunt
- Sonderpan-Oos
- Sonop Veepos
- Soutrivier
- Swartbaken
- Tarka se Kop
- Titiespan
- Trooilapspan
- Vaalputs
- Varsput
- Veepos
- Vivierspan
- Vollgraaffsig
- Werda
- Westerburg
- Wilgenhoutsdrif
- Witdrop
- Witkoppies
- Ysterdoring
Geography
ǃKheis straddles the Orange River as it winds through Kalahari sandveld east of Upington, with
irrigated land confined to a narrow strip either side of the river and dry sandveld stretching
away on both sides. Within
ZF Mgcawu District it
borders Dawid Kruiper,
Kai ǃGarib and
Tsantsabane.
Demographics
Population rose from 16,637 in 2011 to 21,954 in 2022, up about 32%. Density remains low at
under two people per km²; most residents live in Groblershoop or on farms along the river.
Afrikaans is the most widely spoken home language, alongside Setswana in the outlying areas.
Economy and Local Life
Irrigated lucerne, cotton and grape farming along the Orange River underpins the local economy,
supported by the Boegoeberg Dam irrigation scheme near Groblershoop. The municipality has also
invested in solar power, with hundreds of rural homes fitted with solar panels and battery
storage, a response to the area’s isolation from the main electricity grid.
History
The Boegoeberg Dam, completed in 1931, opened the river strip to organised irrigation farming
and drew the first permanent settlers to Groblershoop. ǃKheis became a separate local
municipality in December 2000, part of South Africa’s post-apartheid demarcation of local
government.
Getting There
The N10 and N8 routes cross the municipality near Groblershoop, linking it to Upington and
Douglas. Upington Airport, about 80 km away, is the nearest airport with scheduled flights.
FAQ
What is the seat of ǃKheis Municipality?
Groblershoop.
What is ǃKheis’s population?
21,954 people at the 2022 census, on 11,102 km².
Which district is ǃKheis part of?
ZF Mgcawu District Municipality.
What are the main towns?
Groblershoop, Grootdrink and Wegdraai.
What is ǃKheis’s main economic activity?
Irrigated farming along the Orange River, including lucerne and cotton.
When was the Boegoeberg Dam built?
1931, opening the area to irrigation farming.
Does ǃKheis use solar power?
Yes, hundreds of rural homes are fitted with solar panels and battery storage.
What language do most residents speak?
Afrikaans is most common, with Setswana spoken in the outlying rural areas.
Is ǃKheis a farming area?
Yes, the Orange River strip supports irrigated lucerne and cotton, though most of the municipality’s land is dry Kalahari sandveld.