Districts of South Africa

South Africa
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Districts of South Africa

South Africa is divided into 52 districts (Metropolitan and District municipalities). The 12th amendment to the Constitution (December 2005) reduced this number from 53. Another effect of this amendment is that each district is now completely contained within a province, thus eliminating cross-border districts. The districts also cover the entire area of the continental republic. South Africa's districts are analogous to counties in Great Britain and the United States.

Types of district

The two main types of districts are

• 6 Metropolitan municipalities which act as both district and local municipalities (indicated with an * below). These are also known as Category A municipalities.
• 46 District municipalities which contain more than one local municipality. Also known as Category C municipalities, with their contained Local municipalities known as Category B municipalities.

Districts

The map shows the 52 districts (with colours indicating provinces).

Western Cape

1. City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality *
2. West Coast
3. Cape Winelands
4. Overberg
5. Eden
6. Central Karoo

Eastern Cape

7. Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality *
8. Cacadu
9. Amatole
10. Chris Hani
11. Ukhahlamba
12. OR Tambo
13. Alfred Nzo

Free State

14. Xhariep
15. Motheo
16. Lejweleputswa
17. Thabo Mofutsanyane
18. Fezile Dabi

Northern Cape

19. Namakwa
20. Pixley ka Seme
21. Siyanda
22. Frances Baard
23. John Taola Gaetsewe

North West

24. Bojanala Platinum
25. Ngaka Modiri Molema
26. Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
27. Dr Kenneth Kaunda

Gauteng

28. West Rand
29. City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality *
30. Sedibeng
31. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality *
32. Metsweding
33. City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality *

Limpopo

34. Mopani
35. Vhembe
36. Capricorn
37. Waterberg
38. Greater Sekhukhune

Mpumalanga

39. Gert Sibande
40. Nkangala
41. Ehlanzeni

KwaZulu-Natal

42. Amajuba
43. Zululand
44. Umkhanyakude
45. uThungulu
46. Umzinyathi
47. Uthukela
48. Umgungundlovu
49. iLembe
50. eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality *
51. Ugu
52. Sisonke

Boundary alignment

Several projects are underway to align various services with the district boundaries. These include:

• Magisterial districts
• Police wards

Controversy

South Africa's official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, believes that the districts add an unnecessary fourth layer of government (between provinces and municipalities) and has called for them to be eliminated.

See also

• Municipalities of South Africa

Sources

• Demarcation Board