Namakgale Explained

Namakgale
Pushpin Map:South Africa Limpopo#South Africa
Coordinates:-23.938°N 31.028°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Limpopo
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Mopani
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:Ba-Phalaborwa
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Established Title:Established
Established Date:1959
Leader Party:African National Congress
Leader Title:Councillor
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:12.97
Population Total:36365
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Info1:99.6%
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Info2:0.1%
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info3:0.1%
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Info4:0.1%
Demographics1 Info5:0.1%
Demographics Type2:First languages (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:Northern Sotho
Demographics2 Info1:65.5%
Demographics2 Title2:Tsonga
Demographics2 Info2:23.3%
Demographics2 Title3:Sotho
Demographics2 Info3:3.8%
Demographics2 Title4:ZuluVenda) = 7%
Demographics2 Info4:2.0%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:5.3%
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal Code:1391
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Postal2 Code:1391
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:015

Namakgale is a large township lying 12 km outside Phalaborwa in Mopani District in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Its nearest neighbouring townships are Lulekani, Makhushane, Maseke and Mashishimale on the R71 road to Gravelotte (GaMaenetje). It is next to the Kruger National Park on the north eastern part of the Limpopo province previously Northern Transvaal. The township enjoys the annual Marula festival during the months of February and March, when the ripe Marula fruit harvest is at its peak, and the Marula traditional beer is brewed. This is home to the Amarula liqueur is harvested, and the pulp is shipped to Cape Town for further processing. The citizens of Namakgale will enjoy the Mopani worms first harvest during March and April, and the second harvest in December. the Mopani tree and the Morula tree are very important to the residents of the Namakgale as they bring important community subsistence farming.

Schools and Institutions of Learning

Colleges

High schools

Primary schools

Demographics

Namakgale is largely inhabited by migrant labourers and their descendants. Most of this migrant labourers originate from the Bolobedu area, Tzaneen, Ga-Sekororo and Bushbuckridge. Most of the people in Namakgale are employed in mining, namely Palabora Mining Company, Sasol Agri and FOSKOR.

The majority of the residence of Namakgale speak Northern Sotho language, with the Sepulana, KhePhalaborwa and KheLobedu dialects being the most predominantly spoken forms, is the first language of about 70% of the people. The N'walungu variety of Xitsonga is the second most spoken language after Northern Sotho; XiTsonga is first language of about 30% of the people.

The Residents of the neighbouring villages of Ga-Makhushane, Ga-Mashishimale, Ga-Maseke and Ga-Selwane are proudly called Ba-Phalaborwa ba ga Malatji, a North Sotho tribe of Kalanga extraction. The Malatji Royal Family venerates the Totem of the Noko, a Porcupine and the clan is generally called Dinoko as a symbol of respect.

Sports facilities

Notable people

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Main Place Namakgale . Census 2011.