List of Towns, Villages and Cities in Renosterberg Local Municipality

Renosterberg Local Municipality lies in the Northern Cape’s Pixley ka Seme District, with its
seat at Petrusville. The 2022 census counted 10,843 people across 5,529.3 km², down slightly
from 10,978 in 2011.

The municipality sits on the Orange River near the Vanderkloof Dam, one of South Africa’s
largest reservoirs, which anchors both irrigation farming and hydropower generation in the area.
The reservoir and hydropower station were built in the 1970s, flooding the valley behind
Petrusville and creating a large recreational lake now used for boating and fishing.

Petrusville and Philipstown are small farming towns typical of the southern Karoo, each
serving as a market centre for surrounding sheep and game farms.

Towns and Villages in Renosterberg

Petrusville and Philipstown are the two main towns; Vanderkloof serves the dam and its
hydropower station. GeoNames records four named places in the municipality.

Geography

Renosterberg follows the Orange River’s Vanderkloof Dam basin on the Northern Cape’s border
with the Free State. Within
Pixley ka Seme District it
neighbours Umsobomvu,
Siyathemba and
Thembelihle.

Demographics

Population dipped slightly from 10,978 in 2011 to 10,843 in 2022. Most residents live in
Petrusville and Philipstown, with a smaller number at Vanderkloof serving the dam. Afrikaans
and isiXhosa are both widely spoken, reflecting farm-worker migration into the district over
past decades.

Petrusville’s population skews toward an older age profile than the district average, a
pattern common in small Karoo towns where younger residents often move to larger centres for
work or study.

Economy and Local Life

Vanderkloof Dam’s hydropower station and irrigation scheme are central to the local economy,
supporting citrus, lucerne and vegetable farming downstream. Sheep farming continues on the
surrounding Karoo veld, and the dam’s recreational lake draws weekend anglers and boaters,
supporting a small tourism trade around Vanderkloof town.

History

Petrusville was founded in 1876 on the Orange River; Philipstown followed in 1863 as a
Dutch Reformed Church parish town. Vanderkloof grew from the 1970s dam and hydropower
construction project, which flooded part of the valley and displaced some farms. Renosterberg
became a local municipality in December 2000.

Getting There

The R369 and R48 roads connect Petrusville to Colesberg and De Aar. Petrusville has no
commercial airport; the nearest scheduled flights are from Kimberley, roughly 200 km away.

FAQ

What is the seat of Renosterberg Municipality?
Petrusville.

What is Renosterberg’s population?
10,843 people at the 2022 census, on 5,529.3 km².

Which district is Renosterberg part of?
Pixley ka Seme District Municipality.

What are the main towns?
Petrusville, Philipstown and Vanderkloof.

What is Renosterberg’s main economic activity?
Hydropower and irrigation farming around Vanderkloof Dam.

When was Vanderkloof Dam built?
Completed in the 1970s, creating one of South Africa’s largest reservoirs.

Is Renosterberg’s population growing?
No, it dipped slightly, from 10,978 in 2011 to 10,843 in 2022.

What language do most residents speak?
Afrikaans is the most widely spoken home language across the municipality.

Can visitors access Vanderkloof Dam?
Yes, the reservoir and its resort area are open for boating, fishing and camping.

How far is Petrusville from Colesberg?
About 55 km, via the R369.

What crops are grown around Vanderkloof?
Citrus, lucerne and vegetables, under irrigation from the dam.

Does Renosterberg have a commercial airport?
No, the nearest scheduled flights are from Kimberley.

What is Philipstown known for?
A small Dutch Reformed Church parish town serving surrounding sheep farms since 1863.

Is Renosterberg part of a larger river system?
Yes, it sits on the Orange River, South Africa’s longest river.