Limpopo


Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa. It is named after the Limpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The capital and largest city in the province is Polokwane, while the provincial legislature is situated in Lebowakgomo.
The province is made up of three former Bantustans of Lebowa, Gazankulu and Venda and part of the former Transvaal province. The Limpopo province was established as one of nine provinces after the 1994 South African general election. The province's name was first "Northern Transvaal", Northern Province included Pretoria, Lydenburg, Middleburg ; later changed to "Northern Province" on 28 June 1995, with two other provinces. The name was later changed again in 2002 to the Limpopo Province. Limpopo is made up of three main ethnic groups: the Pedi, the Tsonga and the Venda.
Traditional leaders and chiefs still form a strong backbone of the province's political landscape. Established in terms of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders Act, Act 5 of 2005, the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders' main function is to advise the government and the legislature on matters related to custom, tradition, and culture, including developmental initiatives that affect rural communities. On 18 August 2017, Kgosi Malesela Dikgale was re-elected as the Chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders.

Name

The term "Limpopo" is derived from Rivombo, a group of Tsonga settlers led by Hosi Rivombo who settled in the mountainous vicinity and named the area after their leader. The Lebombo mountains are also named after them. The river has been called the Vhembe by local Venda communities of the area.
Until 1994 it was the northern part of the former Transvaal Province. For a short period since 1994 it was called the province of Northern Transvaal and thereafter, through the Constitution of the public of South Africa Amendment Act No. 20 of 1995 from July 1995 initially Northern Province. The province was named after the Limpopo River by decision of the provincial assembly in 2002, and at the same time most of the cities on its territory were renamed. However, the renaming of the province required an amendment to the South African constitution, which was passed with an amending law was made in 2003.

History

The world heritage site of the Mapungubwe National Park boasts archaeological finds from the period of a powerful local kingdom that ruled here between 800 CE and 1290 existed. The remains of a settlement from the period between the 15th and 17th century can be seen in Thulamela in the northern part of the Kruger National Park.
An extensive archaeological record from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, which covers the early history of Limpopo, reveals a complex web of human activity and the emergence of advanced societies. Early hominids and later Bantu-speaking farming communities used this area as a vital for their southward migration. From roughly AD1220 to 1300, it flourished as the capital of Southern Africa's first known indigenous kingdom. The subsequent rise of Great Zimbabwe to the north was directly impacted by Mapungubwe's evolution as a significant trading hub, its distinct social structure, and its eventual decline. Further archaeological evidence throughout the province reveals diverse cultures and interactions long before European contact.

Stone Age - Earliest Human presence

Limpopo holds some of the earliest evidence of human ancestors and activity in Southern Africa, dating back millions of years.
  • Paleoanthropological Significance: The Makapansgat Caves, which are close to Mokopane are an important paleoanthropological site on a global scale. Fossil remains of Australopithecus africanus, an early hominid species that lived between 3 and 2.5 million years ago, have been discovered there. These findings shed important light on the earliest stages of Human evolution and the beginnings of tool use.
  • Later Stone Age: The Waterberg Biosphere is home to evidence of Late Stone Age hunter-gatherer societies, which, were the ancestors of the present-day San people. Artifacts, wools, and rock art that portray the spiritual beliefs, everyday lives, and fauna of these nomadic communities can be found in rock shelters and caves, like the Echo Caves near Ohrigstad. Their existence suggests that people have lived in the province for tens of thousands of years.

    Iron Age – Arrival of Farmers and Metalworking

The advent of the Iron Age in Limpopo, marked a significant shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to one created on settled agriculture, animal husbandry, and metallurgy. This period is associated with the southward migration of Bantu-speaking peoples.
  • Early Iron Age: Communities of this era built settlements along important river systems, raised cattle, sheep, and goats, and cultivated crops like millet and sorghum. They were expert iron smelters and potters who created ornaments, tools and weapons. Distinct pottery styles found at archaeological sites from this era aid in tracing the migrations and cultural ties of these early farming communities.
  • Middle Iron Age: This period witnessed increased social complexity, larger settlements, and the development of regional trade networks. Limpopo became a crucial area for the emerging Gold and Ivory trade routes extending to the East African coast.
    The Rise of Mapungubwe
The Limpopo River valley was the heartland of the Mapungubwe Kingdom, representing the earliest known state-level society in Southern Africa. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe River placed it at the nexus of major trade routes connecting the interior with the Indian Ocean coast. The rise of Mapungubwe, marks a pivotal moment in Southern African history. Its development was a culmination of increasing social complexity and economic activity in the Limpopo River Valley, building upon earlier settlements like Schroda and K2 .
One of Mapungubwe's defining features was its rigid social hierarchy. The ruling elite lived atop Mapungubwe Hill, physically and symbolically separated from commoners in the valley below - reflecting a codified system of sacred kingship and centralised control of resources.
The Kingdom thrived as a trading hub, exporting gold and ivory in exchange for exotic goods. This economy was underpinned by robust agriculture, including the cultivation of Sorghum and Millet and livestock farming, which supported population growth.
Archaeological discoveries confirm Mapungubwe's wealth and social complexity. Key artefacts include:
The Mapungubwe treasures are primarily located at the University of Pretoria's Mapungubwe Collection.

Geography

Limpopo Province shares international borders with districts and provinces of three countries: Botswana's Central and Kgatleng districts to the west and northwest respectively, Zimbabwe's Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces to the north and northeast respectively, and Mozambique's Gaza Province to the east. Limpopo is the link between South Africa and countries further afield in sub-Saharan Africa. On its southern edge, from east to west, it shares borders with the South African provinces of Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North West. Its border with Gauteng includes that province's Johannesburg-Pretoria axis, the most industrialised metropolis on the continent. The province is central to regional, national, and international developing markets.
Limpopo contains much of the Waterberg Biosphere, a massif of approximately which is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The northern portion of the most well-known game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park, is located in the province. This includes famous gates like Pafuri and Punda Maria. This area is renowned for its distinctive landscapes which include a greater density of Baobab trees and fever tree forests alongside the Levubu River. It is an important component of the greater Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a vast conservation area that connects Zimbabwean and Mozambican national parks with Kruger.
The far northern region is home to the Soutpansberg mountain range. A sizeable natural salt pan at its western end is the source of its name which translates to "Salt Pan Mountain" in Afrikaans. The range, which stretches roughly from east to west, is a prominent feature of the area. In addition to being home to many plant and animal species that are unique to Earth, it is a recognised hotspot for biodiversity and has great cultural significance.
The Magoebaskloof is a mountain pass that is accessible by the R71 road between Tzaneen and Haenertsburg. It literally translates to "Makgoba's ravine" and is named after Chief Makgoba.
It is a naturally occurring evergreen subtropical forest that covers a verdant mountainous region. Before being conquered by Afrikaners, the small kingdom of Makgoba existed in this region. The Debengeni waterfalls, Magoebaskloofdam, and numerous forest hiking trails are just a few of the natural wonders that make Magoebaskloof a popular tourist destination today.

Law and government

The current Premier of Limpopo Province is Phophi Ramathuba, representing the African National Congress.

Municipalities

Limpopo Province is divided into five district municipalities. The district municipalities are in turn divided into 25 local municipalities:

District municipalities

  • Capricorn District
  • *Blouberg
  • *Lepele-Nkumpi
  • *Molemole
  • *Polokwane
  • Mopani District
  • *Ba-Phalaborwa
  • *Greater Giyani
  • *Greater Letaba
  • *Greater Tzaneen
  • *Maruleng
  • Sekhukhune District
  • *Elias Motsoaledi
  • *Ephraim Mogale
  • *Fetakgomo Tubatse
  • *Makhuduthamaga
  • Vhembe District
  • *Makhado
  • *Musina
  • *Collins Chabane
  • *Thulamela
  • Waterberg District
  • *Bela-Bela
  • *Lephalale
  • *Modimolle–Mookgophong
  • *Mogalakwena
  • *Thabazimbi