The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality (DC40) is a Category C municipality located in the southern part of South Africa’s North West Province. Named after Zambia's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, it comprises three local municipalities: City of Matlosana, JB Marks, and Maquassi Hills.
Geography & Location
• Area: Covers approximately 15 710 square KM.
• Position: Situated about 65 km south-west of Johannesburg, it is the smallest district in the province and directly borders the Gauteng and Free State provinces.
• Seat: Klerksdorp.
Local Municipalities
• City of Matlosana: The economic and population hub, comprising Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, and Hartbeesfontein.
• JB Marks: Formed by the amalgamation of Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) and Ventersdorp, noted for its educational institutions, heritage sites, and farming.
• Maquassi Hills: Encompasses towns like Wolmaransstad, Makwassie, and Leeudoringstad.
Demographics
• Population: Home to roughly 742,822 residents.
• Languages & Culture: Setswana is the dominant language, alongside a rich, diverse natural and cultural heritage.
• Household Setup: A significant portion of the population resides in urban and township areas, with a large working-age demographic.
Economy & Industry
• Mining: The district has a long and prominent history of gold mining, particularly around the Klerksdorp and Orkney areas.
• Agriculture: The spatial and economic framework relies heavily on agribusiness, with vast farmlands supporting crop and livestock production.
According to Statistics South Africa (Census 2011), the population of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, (based on 2015 boundaries) is 695 933, increased from 599 670 in 2001 population is unevenly distributed among the three Local Municipalities and average annual growth rate of the district is 1.49%.
More than half of the population (51%) is female At age 85 and older, there were more than twice as many women as men. People under 15 years of age made up over a quarter of the population (30,9%), people aged between 15 and 64 constitute more than half of the population (60,9%), and people aged 65 and older made up 8,2% of the population.
The Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality has a relatively township population, with more than 88% of the population located in township areas. There are about 52 063 households the district with an average household size of 3,6. More than 80% of the population lives informal dwellings and about 15% of households occupy informal dwellings.
More than 70% of the households have access to water. However, of serious concern is the fact that close to 6 000 households have no access to water. The provision of sanitation facilities across the municipal communities remains one of the key challenges for the municipality.
The spatial development framework of the District Municipality is shaped by the rich mining and agricultural history characterizing large pieces of land in the area. It is against this backdrop that mining and agriculture have become focal points in all economic development prospects for the District Municipality constituency.
The District has vast tracts of land which can be used to harness economic development opportunities.It is believed that livestock farming is the main type of farming activity that is carried out in the local municipality. The tourism sector in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality is well established..
African Agribusiness is transforming into a regional and global market from its early rooted local trade history. This growth makes this sector increasingly interesting to investors, governments and the world at large. The District has agricultural growth potential, with over 10 000 agricultural households.
As the global population grows and a shortage of food becomes a reality, Africa has the potential to become the breadbasket of the world. According to WEF, growth in agriculture is 11 times better at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors. With 65 per cent of Africa’s population already working in farming, investment in agriculture will benefit more of the continent’s people.
Province: North West | District: Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District | Office: Orkney | Number of Municipalities: 3 | Estimated Population: 695 933