Kai ǃGarib Local Municipality lies along the Orange River in the Northern Cape’s ZF Mgcawu
District, with its seat at Kakamas. The 2022 census counted 85,104 people across 26,236 km²,
up from 65,869 in 2011.
The municipality runs the river’s irrigated farming belt from Augrabies Falls through Kakamas
and Keimoes to Kenhardt, one of South Africa’s main table-grape and raisin-producing districts.
The name Kai ǃGarib is the Nama term for the Orange River, “the great river,” reflecting the
municipality’s dependence on it.
Water furrows dug by early Griqua and trekboer farmers in the 1800s still irrigate parts of
the farming belt, though most of the area today runs on modern pumped irrigation schemes.
Towns and Villages in Kai ǃGarib
Kakamas, Kenhardt, Keimoes and Augrabies are the main towns, with smaller irrigation
settlements strung along the Orange River between them. GeoNames records 51 named places,
listed below.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Kakamas | Seat | 9,538 |
| Kenhardt | Town | 4,842 |
| Augrabies | Town | 3,627 |
| Cillie | Town | 2,359 |
| Keimoes | Town | — |
- Alheit
- Ariesputs
- Aseries Puts
- Bladgrond-Noord
- Boksputs
- Brakboschkolk
- Bussons Kloof
- Currie’s Camp
- De Bakke
- De Halt
- De Rust
- Driekop
- Eksteenkuil
- Jackson
- Kaimoepslaagte
- Kakamas-Oos
- Kanoneiland
- Klein Koegab
- Klein Rosynebos
- Koekoeb
- Location
- Loxtonvale
- Lutzburg
- Marchand
- Mary’s Rust
- Melkboom
- Neilersdrif
- Neus
- N’Rougas Noord
- Onderste Doornknie
- Ou Opdam
- Putsies
- Riemvasmaak
- Rooikoenap
- Rooipunt
- Rooivloer
- Rykheersputs
- Schroder
- Soutrivier
- Suikersteek
- Swartmodder
- Uitzicht
- Verschep
- Welgelegen
- Witdorp
- Zandbergshoop
- Zonderhule South
- Zwaar Draai
Geography
Kai ǃGarib follows the Orange River through a semi-arid stretch of the Northern Cape, with the
Augrabies Falls gorge cutting through hard rock near the municipality’s western edge. Within
ZF Mgcawu District it neighbours
Dawid Kruiper,
ǃKheis and
Kgatelopele.
Demographics
Population rose from 65,869 in 2011 to 85,104 in 2022, up about 29%. Most residents live in
Kakamas and the smaller irrigation towns strung along the river; the surrounding Kalahari
reaches beyond the river valley are sparsely settled.
Economy and Local Life
Irrigated agriculture drives the economy: table grapes, raisins, wine grapes and dried fruit
from farms around Kakamas, Keimoes and Grootdrink. Augrabies Falls National Park brings
tourism traffic to the western part of the municipality; sheep and goat farming continues on
the drier land away from the river.
Local packhouses and cellars process much of the grape and dried-fruit harvest before export,
supporting seasonal farm labour across Kakamas and Keimoes during the harvest months.
History
Kakamas was founded in 1897 by the Dutch Reformed Church as a settlement for poor Afrikaner
farmers displaced by drought and locust plagues, with residents digging the area’s original
irrigation furrows by hand. Kai ǃGarib Municipality was formed in December 2000, uniting
Kakamas, Kenhardt and the surrounding river farms under one local government.
Getting There
The N14 national road runs through Kakamas and Kenhardt, linking the municipality to Upington
in the east and Springbok in the west. Upington Airport is the nearest airport with scheduled
flights.
FAQ
What is the seat of Kai ǃGarib Municipality?
Kakamas.
What is Kai ǃGarib’s population?
85,104 people at the 2022 census, on 26,236 km².
Which district is Kai ǃGarib part of?
ZF Mgcawu District Municipality.
What are the main towns?
Kakamas, Kenhardt, Keimoes and Augrabies.
What is Kai ǃGarib’s main economic activity?
Irrigated agriculture along the Orange River — table grapes, raisins and wine grapes.
Is Augrabies Falls in Kai ǃGarib?
Yes, the falls and national park lie within the municipality’s western area.
What language do most residents speak?
Afrikaans is the most widely spoken home language, alongside Nama in some communities.
When was Kakamas founded?
1897, as a Dutch Reformed Church settlement for drought-displaced farmers.
How fast is Kai ǃGarib’s population growing?
Quickly — up about 29% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses.