Cape Agulhas Local Municipality

Last updated
Cape Agulhas
Kaap Agulhas
Local municipality
Cape Agulhas CoA.png
Seal
Map of the Western Cape with Cape Agulhas highlighted (2011).svg
Location in the Western Cape
Coordinates: 34°30′S20°00′E / 34.500°S 20.000°E / -34.500; 20.000
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
District Overberg
Seat Bredasdorp
Wards 6
Government
 • Type Municipal council
 • MayorRaymond Ross (DA)
 • Deputy MayorKarin Donald (DA)
Area
 • Total3,467 km2 (1,339 sq mi)
Population
 (2022) [1]
 • Total40,274
 • Density12/km2 (30/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2022)
[1]
 •  Black African 12.6%
 •  Coloured 60.9%
 •  Indian/Asian 0.4%
 •  White 23.4%
First languages (2011)
[2]
 •  Afrikaans 84.4%
 •  Xhosa 6.0%
 •  English 5.6%
 • Other4%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Municipal codeWC033
HDI (2021)0.773 [3] high

Cape Agulhas Municipality (Afrikaans : Kaap Agulhas Munisipaliteit) is a municipality located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2011, it had a population of 33,038. [2] Its municipality code is WC033. It is named after Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa. The largest town is Bredasdorp, which is the seat of the municipal headquarters. It also includes the villages of Napier, Struisbaai, Elim, Arniston and L'Agulhas, and the De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Contents

Geography

The municipality covers an area of 3,467 square kilometres (1,339 sq mi) in the Southern Overberg, covering a radius of 30 to 40 kilometres (19 to 25 mi) around Bredasdorp as well as a panhandle extending east to include the De Hoop Nature Reserve. A range of hills runs east–west through the municipality with a gap at Bredasdorp. South of these hills is the low and flat Agulhas plain. The municipality abuts on the Overstrand Municipality to the west, the Theewaterskloof Municipality to the northwest and the Swellendam Municipality to the north.

According to the 2011 census the municipality has a population of 33,038 people in 10,162 households. Of this population, 65.6% describe themselves as "Coloured", 21.6% as "White", and 11.5% as "Black African". The first language of 84.4% of the population is Afrikaans, while 6.0% speak Xhosa and 5.6% speak English. [4]

The principal town and location of the municipal headquarters is Bredasdorp, which as of 2011 has a population of 15,524. Napier (pop. 4,214) is situated 15 kilometres (9 mi) northwest of Bredasdorp. South of Bredasdorp on the coast around Cape Agulhas are Struisbaai (pop. 3,877), L'Agulhas (pop. 548) and Suiderstrand (pop. 44). Arniston (pop. 1,267) is further east along the coast. The former mission station of Elim (pop. 1,412) is situated west of Bredasdorp.

Politics

The municipal council consists of eleven members elected by mixed-member proportional representation. Six councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in six wards, while the remaining five are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received. In the election of 1 November 2021, the Democratic Alliance (DA) won a plurality of seats on the council, one short of a majority. The DA then formed a majority coalition government with the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) to govern the municipality. [5]

History

At end of the apartheid era in the early 1990s, municipal councils existed for Bredasdorp and Napier, and local councils for Waenhuiskrans (Arniston), Struisbaai and L'Agulhas. These councils were elected by the white residents of the towns. Coloured residents elected management committees, which were subordinate to the white local authorities, in Bredasdorp, Napier, Arniston and Struisbaai. Rural areas outside of these settlements were served by the Overberg Regional Services Council.

After the national elections of 1994 a process of local government transformation began, in which negotiations were held between the existing local authorities, political parties, and local community organisations. As a result of these negotiations, transitional local councils (TLCs) were created for each town and village. In December 1994 the Napier TLC was created, replacing the Municipality of Napier and the Napier Management Committee. In the same month the Struisbaai TLC replaced the Struisbaai Local Council and the Struisbaai Management Committee. In January 1995 the Bredasdorp TLC was created, amalgamating the Municipality of Bredasdorp, the Bredasdorp Management Committee, the Local Councils of Waenhuiskrans and L'Agulhas, and the Arniston Management Committee.

The transitional councils were initially made up of members nominated by the various parties to the negotiations, until May 1996 when elections were held. At these elections the Overberg District Council was established, replacing the Overberg Regional Services Council. Transitional representative councils (TRCs) were also elected to represent rural areas outside the TLCs on the District Council; the area that was to become the Cape Agulhas Municipality included most of the Bredasdorp TRC as well as parts of the Caledon TRC.

At the local elections of December 2000 the TLCs and TRCs were dissolved, and the Cape Agulhas Municipality was created as a single local authority incorporating both rural and urban areas. In 2006 the boundary with the Overstrand Municipality was moved further west to incorporate rural land north and south of Elim (although Elim itself was included in the municipality from 2000). In 2011 the area of the De Hoop Nature Reserve was incorporated into the municipality when District Management Areas were abolished.

Election results

The following table shows the results of the 2021 election. [6]

Cape Agulhas local election, 1 November 2021
PartyVotesSeats
WardListTotal %WardListTotal
Democratic Alliance 5,0925,39710,48944.0%415
African National Congress 3,2033,1696,37226.8%123
Dienslewerings Party1,5401,4723,01212.6%112
Freedom Front Plus 1,0898601,9498.2%011
Independent candidates 33–330.1%0–0
9 other parties9649971,9618.2%000
Total11,92111,89523,8166511
Valid votes11,92111,89523,81699.0%
Spoilt votes 1191182371.0%
Total votes cast12,04012,01324,053
Voter turnout12,051
Registered voters21,173
Turnout percentage56.9%

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overberg</span> Region of the Western Cape in South Africa, east of Cape Town

Overberg is a spectacular region in South Africa to the east of Cape Town beyond the Hottentots-Holland mountains. It lies along the Western Cape Province's south coast between the Cape Peninsula and the region known as the Garden Route in the east. The boundaries of the Overberg are the Hottentots-Holland mountains in the West; the Riviersonderend Mountains, part of the Cape Fold Belt, in the North; the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in the South and the Breede River in the East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

George Municipality is a local municipality within the Garden Route District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2011, the population is 193,672. Its municipality code is WC044.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mossel Bay Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Mossel Bay Municipality is a local municipality within the Garden Route District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2011, the population was 89,430.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Witzenberg Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Witzenberg Municipality is a local municipality located within the Cape Winelands District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2022 it had a population of 103,765.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beaufort West Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Beaufort West Municipality is a local municipality located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2011, the population is 49,586. Its municipality code is WC053.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oudtshoorn Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Oudtshoorn Municipality is a local municipality within the Garden Route District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2022, the population was 138,257.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overstrand Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Overstrand Municipality is a local municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is located along the Atlantic coast between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, within the Overberg District Municipality. The principal towns in the municipality are Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinmond. As of 2022, it had a population of 132,495.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drakenstein Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Drakenstein Municipality is a local municipality located within the Cape Winelands District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2011, it had a population of 251,262. Its municipality code is WC023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bergrivier Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Bergrivier Municipality is a local municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It governs the towns of Piketberg, Velddrif and Porterville, as well as the surrounding villages and rural areas. As of 2011, it had a population of 61,897. It is located within the West Coast District Municipality and its municipality code is WC013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kannaland Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Kannaland Municipality is a local municipality located within the Garden Route District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The municipal area is situated in the western part of the Little Karoo and includes the towns of Ladismith, Calitzdorp and Zoar. As of 2022, it has a population of 31,986. Its municipality code is WC041.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hessequa Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Hessequa Municipality, known before 24 June 2005 as Langeberg Municipality, is a local municipality within the Garden Route District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is flanked by the lower Breede River to the west and the Gourits River to the east. As of 2022, the population was 71,918. Its municipality code is WC042. The name Hessequa, meaning "people of the trees", refers to the indigenous Khoikhoi people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saldanha Bay Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Saldanha Bay Municipality is a local municipality located within the West Coast District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2011, it had a population of 99,193. Its municipality code is WC014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swellendam Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Swellendam Municipality is a local municipality located within the Overberg District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2022, it had a population of 47,114. Its municipality code is WC034.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theewaterskloof Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

Theewaterskloof Municipality is a local municipality located within the Overberg District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. As of 2022, the population was 139,563. Its municipality code is WC031. The enormous Theewaterskloof Dam, which provides water for Cape Town and the surrounding areas, is located in the municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overberg District Municipality</span> District municipality in Western Cape, South Africa

The Overberg District Municipality is a district municipality that governs the Overberg region in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is divided into four local municipalities and includes the major towns of Grabouw, Caledon, Hermanus, Bredasdorp and Swellendam. The municipal area covers 12,241 square kilometres (4,726 sq mi) and had in 2007 an estimated population of 212,787 people in 60,056 households.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L'Agulhas</span> Place in Western Cape, South Africa

L'Agulhas is the southernmost coastal village and holiday resort in South Africa, located within the Cape Agulhas Local Municipality at the southernmost tip of the African mainland. It is situated next to the town of Struisbaai and about 30 kilometres (20 mi) south of the regional centre of Bredasdorp. Some of the older residents and documents refer to the town as by its former name Cape Agulhas or Cape L'Agulhas or simply Agulhas which were the names that referred to this town before it was changed to L'Agulhas to avoid confusion when the Bredasdorp Municipality changed its name to The Cape Agulhas Municipality (CAM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Napier, South Africa</span> Village in Western Cape, South Africa

Napier is a village at the foot of the Soetmuisberg, between Caledon and Bredasdorp. A blend of century-old cottages and modern houses, surrounded by the rolling farmland which typifies the Overberg region of South Africa, give the village a rural atmosphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bredasdorp</span> Place in Western Cape, South Africa

Bredasdorp is a town in the Southern Overberg region of the Western Cape, South Africa, and the main economic and service hub of that region. It lies on the northern edge of the Agulhas Plain, about 160 kilometres (100 mi) south-east of Cape Town and 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thembelihle Local Municipality</span> Local municipality in Northern Cape, South Africa

Thembelihle Municipality, formerly known as Oranje-Karoo Municipality, is a local municipality within the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Thembelihle is a Xhosa word meaning "good hope".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agulhas National Park</span> Park in South Africa

The Agulhas National Park is a South African national park located in the Agulhas Plain in the southern Overberg region of the Western Cape, about 200 kilometres (120 mi) south-east of Cape Town. The park stretches along the coastal plain between the towns of Gansbaai and Struisbaai, and includes the southern tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. As of January 2009 it covered an area of 20,959 hectares. Although one of the smallest national parks in South Africa, it boasts 2,000 native plant species and a wetland that provides refuge to birds and amphibians.

References

  1. 1 2 "Cape Agulhas (Local Municipality, South Africa)". Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  2. 1 2 "Statistics by place". Statistics South Africa. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "Swellendam Municipality 2021" (PDF). Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Cape Agulhas Local Municipality". Census 2011.
  5. ↑ Hunter, Zintle Mahlati, Juniour Khumalo, Jan Gerber and Qaanitah. "New political era: DA reaps the rewards as opposition parties kick ANC to the curb". News24. Retrieved 2021-11-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Election Result Table for LGE2021 — Cape Agulhas". wikitable.frith.dev. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.