List Of Municipalities In South Africa (2025)

Municipalities in South Africa are the local government structures responsible for governing and managing specific geographic areas within the country. They operate under the framework of the Municipal Structures Act and the Municipal Systems Act, which outline their roles, responsibilities, and governance structures. South Africa has three types of municipalities: Metropolitan (Category A), District (Category C), and Local (Category B) municipalities.

Metropolitan municipalities govern large urban areas such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, providing all municipal services within their jurisdiction. District municipalities oversee multiple local municipalities, ensuring coordination and shared services, while local municipalities manage towns and rural areas within a district.

Municipalities are tasked with delivering essential services such as water supply, sanitation, electricity distribution, waste management, and local economic development. They also regulate land use, provide public transport, and maintain infrastructure like roads and parks. Here is the numbered list of South Africa’s metropolitan municipalities:

List Of Municipalities In South Africa

#	Name	Code	Province	Seat
1	Buffalo City	BUF	Eastern Cape	East London
2	City of Cape Town	CPT	Western Cape	Cape Town
3	City of Ekurhuleni	EKU	Gauteng	Germiston
4	City of Johannesburg	JHB	Gauteng	Johannesburg
5	City of Tshwane	TSH	Gauteng	Pretoria
6	eThekwini	ETH	KwaZulu-Natal	Durban
7	Mangaung	MAN	Free State	Bloemfontein
8	Nelson Mandela Bay	NMA	Eastern Cape	Gqeberha

List Of District Municipalities In South Africa

Here is a table of the district municipalities in South Africa:

#	Name	Code	Province	Seat
1	Amajuba	DC25	KwaZulu-Natal	Newcastle
2	Alfred Nzo	DC44	Eastern Cape	Mount Ayliff
3	Amathole	DC12	Eastern Cape	East London
4	Bojanala Platinum	DC37	North West	Rustenburg
5	Cape Winelands	DC2	Western Cape	Worcester
6	Chris Hani	DC13	Eastern Cape	Komani (Queenstown)
7	Dr Kenneth Kaunda	DC40	North West	Klerksdorp
8	Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	DC39	North West	Vryburg
9	Ehlanzeni	DC32	Mpumalanga	Mbombela (Nelspruit)
10	Fezile Dabi	DC20	Free State	Sasolburg
11	Frances Baard	DC9	Northern Cape	Kimberley
12	Garden Route	DC4	Western Cape	George
13	Gert Sibande	DC30	Mpumalanga	Ermelo
14	Harry Gwala	DC43	KwaZulu-Natal	Ixopo
15	John Taolo Gaetsewe	DC45	Northern Cape	Kuruman
16	Joe Gqabi	DC14	Eastern Cape	Barkly East
17	King Cetshwayo	DC28	KwaZulu-Natal	Richards Bay
18	Lejweleputswa	DC18	Free State	Welkom
19	Mopani	DC33	Limpopo	Giyani
20	Namakwa	DC6	Northern Cape	Springbok
21	Nkangala	DC31	Mpumalanga	Middelburg
22	Overberg	DC3	Western Cape	Bredasdorp
23	Pixley ka Seme	DC7	Northern Cape	De Aar
24	Sedibeng	DC42	Gauteng	Vereeniging
25	Sekhukhune	DC47	Limpopo	Groblersdal
26	Thabo Mofutsanyana	DC19	Free State	Phuthaditjhaba
27	Ugu	DC21	KwaZulu-Natal	Port Shepstone
28	uMgungundlovu	DC22	KwaZulu-Natal	Pietermaritzburg
29	Umkhanyakude	DC27	KwaZulu-Natal	Mkuze
30	uMzinyathi	DC24	KwaZulu-Natal	Dundee
31	uThukela	DC23	KwaZulu-Natal	Ladysmith
32	Vhembe	DC34	Limpopo	Thohoyandou
33	Waterberg	DC36	Limpopo	Modimolle
34	West Coast	DC1	Western Cape	Moorreesburg
35	West Rand	DC48	Gauteng	Randfontein
36	Xhariep	DC16	Free State	Trompsburg

List Of Local Municipalities In South Africa

No.	Name	Code	Province	Seat
1	Abaqulusi	KZN263	KwaZulu-Natal	Vryheid
2	Aganang	LIM352	Limpopo	Ceres
3	Albert Luthuli	MP301	Mpumalanga	Carolina
4	Alfred Duma	KZN238	KwaZulu-Natal	Ladysmith
5	Amahlathi	EC124	Eastern Cape	Stutterheim
6	Ba-Phalaborwa	LIM334	Limpopo	Phalaborwa
7	Beaufort West	WC053	Western Cape	Beaufort West
8	Bela-Bela	LIM366	Limpopo	Bela-Bela
9	Bergrivier	WC013	Western Cape	Piketberg
10	Big 5 Hlabisa	KZN276	KwaZulu-Natal	Hlabisa
11	Bitou	WC047	Western Cape	Plettenberg Bay
12	Blouberg	LIM351	Limpopo	Senwabarwana
13	Blue Crane Route	EC102	Eastern Cape	Somerset East
14	Breede Valley	WC025	Western Cape	Worcester
15	Buffalo City	BUF	Eastern Cape	East London
16	Bushbuckridge	MP325	Mpumalanga	Bushbuckridge
17	Cape Agulhas	WC033	Western Cape	Bredasdorp
18	Cederberg	WC012	Western Cape	Clanwilliam
19	Chief Albert Luthuli	MP301	Mpumalanga	Carolina
20	City of Cape Town	CPT	Western Cape	Cape Town
21	City of Ekurhuleni	EKU	Gauteng	Germiston
22	City of Johannesburg	JHB	Gauteng	Johannesburg
23	City of Matlosana	NW403	North West	Klerksdorp
24	City of Mbombela	MP326	Mpumalanga	Mbombela
25	City of Tshwane	TSH	Gauteng	Pretoria
26	Dannhauser	KZN254	KwaZulu-Natal	Dannhauser
27	Dawid Kruiper	NC087	Northern Cape	Upington
28	Dihlabeng	FS192	Free State	Bethlehem
29	Dikgatlong	NC092	Northern Cape	Barkly West
30	Dipaleseng	MP306	Mpumalanga	Balfour
31	Dr Beyers Naudé	EC101	Eastern Cape	Graaff-Reinet
32	Dr JS Moroka	MP316	Mpumalanga	Siyabuswa
33	Dr Kenneth Kaunda	DC40	North West	Klerksdorp
34	Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma	KZN436	KwaZulu-Natal	Creighton
35	Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme	MP304	Mpumalanga	Volksrust
36	Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	DC39	North West	Vryburg
37	Ehlanzeni	DC32	Mpumalanga	Mbombela
38	Elias Motsoaledi	LIM472	Limpopo	Groblersdal
39	Emadlangeni	KZN253	KwaZulu-Natal	Utrecht
40	Emalahleni (EC)	EC136	Eastern Cape	Lady Frere
41	Emalahleni (MP)	MP312	Mpumalanga	Witbank
42	Emfuleni	GT421	Gauteng	Vanderbijlpark
43	Endumeni	KZN241	KwaZulu-Natal	Dundee
44	Engcobo	EC137	Eastern Cape	Engcobo
45	Ephraim Mogale	LIM471	Limpopo	Marble Hall
46	eThekwini	ETH	KwaZulu-Natal	Durban
47	Fetakgomo Tubatse	LIM476	Limpopo	Burgersfort
48	Ga-Segonyana	NC452	Northern Cape	Kuruman
49	Gamagara	NC453	Northern Cape	Kathu
50	George	WC044	Western Cape	George
51	Gert Sibande	DC30	Mpumalanga	Ermelo
52	Greater Giyani	LIM331	Limpopo	Giyani
53	Greater Kokstad	KZN433	KwaZulu-Natal	Kokstad
54	Greater Letaba	LIM332	Limpopo	Modjadjiskloof
55	Greater Tzaneen	LIM333	Limpopo	Tzaneen
56	Greater Tubatse	LIM475	Limpopo	Burgersfort
57	Hantam	NC065	Northern Cape	Calvinia
58	Hessequa	WC042	Western Cape	Riversdale
59	Hibiscus Coast	KZN216	KwaZulu-Natal	Port Shepstone
60	Hlabisa	KZN274	KwaZulu-Natal	Hlabisa
61	Impendle	KZN224	KwaZulu-Natal	Impendle

See also Nketoana Local Municipality

62	Ingquza Hill	EC153	Eastern Cape	Lusikisiki
63	Inkosi Langalibalele	KZN237	KwaZulu-Natal	Estcourt
64	Intsika Yethu	EC135	Eastern Cape	Cofimvaba
65	Inxuba Yethemba	EC131	Eastern Cape	Cradock
66	Joe Gqabi	DC14	Eastern Cape	Barkly East
67	Jozini	KZN272	KwaZulu-Natal	Jozini
68	Kagisano-Molopo	NW397	North West	Ganyesa
69	Kai !Garib	NC082	Northern Cape	Kakamas
70	Kamiesberg	NC064	Northern Cape	Garies
71	Kannaland	WC041	Western Cape	Ladismith
72	Kareeberg	NC074	Northern Cape	Carnarvon
73	Karoo Hoogland	NC066	Northern Cape	Williston
74	Kgatelopele	NC086	Northern Cape	Danielskuil
75	King Sabata Dalindyebo	EC157	Eastern Cape	Mthatha
76	Kgetlengrivier	NW374	North West	Koster
77	Khâi-Ma	NC067	Northern Cape	Pofadder
78	Knysna	WC048	Western Cape	Knysna
79	Kou-Kamma	EC109	Eastern Cape	Kareedouw
80	Kouga	EC108	Eastern Cape	Jeffreys Bay
81	Koukamma	EC109	Eastern Cape	Kareedouw
82	KwaDukuza	KZN292	KwaZulu-Natal	KwaDukuza
83	Laingsburg	WC051	Western Cape	Laingsburg
84	Langeberg	WC026	Western Cape	Robertson
85	Lejweleputswa	DC18	Free State	Welkom
86	Lekwa	MP305	Mpumalanga	Standerton
87	Lekwa-Teemane	NW396	North West	Christiana
88	Lepelle-Nkumpi	LIM355	Limpopo	Lebowakgomo
89	Lesedi	GT423	Gauteng	Heidelberg
90	Letsemeng	FS161	Free State	Koffiefontein
91	Makana	EC104	Eastern Cape	Grahamstown
92	Makhuduthamaga	LIM473	Limpopo	Jane Furse
93	Maluti-a-Phofung	FS194	Free State	Phuthaditjhaba
94	Mamusa	NW393	North West	Schweizer-Reneke
95	Mandeni	KZN291	KwaZulu-Natal	Mandeni
96	Maphumulo	KZN294	KwaZulu-Natal	Maphumulo
97	Maruleng	LIM335	Limpopo	Hoedspruit
98	Matatiele	EC441	Eastern Cape	Matatiele
99	Matjhabeng	FS184	Free State	Welkom
100	Matzikama	WC011	Western Cape	Vredendal
101	Mbhashe	EC121	Eastern Cape	Dutywa
102	Mbizana	EC443	Eastern Cape	Bizana
103	Mbombela	MP322	Mpumalanga	Mbombela
104	Mdzimba	MP323	Mpumalanga	White River
105	Merafong City	GT484	Gauteng	Carletonville
106	Metsimaholo	FS204	Free State	Sasolburg
107	Mhlontlo	EC156	Eastern Cape	Qumbu
108	Mkhambathini	KZN226	KwaZulu-Natal	Camperdown
109	Mkhondo	MP303	Mpumalanga	Piet Retief
110	Mkhwanazi	MP324	Mpumalanga	KwaMbonambi
111	Mnquma	EC122	Eastern Cape	Butterworth
112	Modimolle-Mookgophong	LIM368	Limpopo	Modimolle
113	Mogalakwena	LIM367	Limpopo	Mokopane
114	Mogale City	GT481	Gauteng	Krugersdorp
115	Mohokare	FS163	Free State	Zastron
116	Molemole	LIM353	Limpopo	Dendron
117	Molopo	NW395	North West	Tosca
118	Mookgophong	LIM364	Limpopo	Mookgophong
119	Moses Kotane	NW375	North West	Mogwase
120	Mpofana	KZN223	KwaZulu-Natal	Mooi River
121	Msinga	KZN244	KwaZulu-Natal	Tugela Ferry
122	Mthonjaneni	KZN285	KwaZulu-Natal	Melmoth
123	Mtubatuba	KZN275	KwaZulu-Natal	Mtubatuba

124	Ndlambe	EC105	Eastern Cape	Port Alfred
125	Ndwedwe	KZN293	KwaZulu-Natal	Ndwedwe
126	Nelson Mandela Bay	NMA	Eastern Cape	Gqeberha
127	Ngaka Modiri Molema	DC38	North West	Mahikeng
128	Ngqushwa	EC126	Eastern Cape	Peddie
129	Nkandla	KZN286	KwaZulu-Natal	Nkandla
130	Nketoana	FS193	Free State	Reitz
131	Nkomazi	MP324	Mpumalanga	Malelane
132	Nongoma	KZN265	KwaZulu-Natal	Nongoma
133	Nquthu	KZN242	KwaZulu-Natal	Nquthu
134	Nsikazi	MP325	Mpumalanga	White River
135	Nyandeni	EC155	Eastern Cape	Libode
136	Okhahlamba	KZN235	KwaZulu-Natal	Bergville
137	Oudtshoorn	WC045	Western Cape	Oudtshoorn
138	Overstrand	WC032	Western Cape	Hermanus
139	Phokwane	NC094	Northern Cape	Hartswater
140	Phumelela	FS195	Free State	Vrede
141	Polokwane	LIM354	Limpopo	Polokwane
142	Port St Johns	EC154	Eastern Cape	Port St Johns
143	Prince Albert	WC052	Western Cape	Prince Albert
144	Ramotshere Moiloa	NW385	North West	Zeerust
145	Rand West City	GT485	Gauteng	Randfontein
146	Raymond Mhlaba	EC129	Eastern Cape	Fort Beaufort
147	Richtersveld	NC061	Northern Cape	Port Nolloth
148	Richmond	KZN227	KwaZulu-Natal	Richmond
149	Sakhisizwe	EC138	Eastern Cape	Cala
150	Saldanha Bay	WC014	Western Cape	Vredenburg
151	Senqu	EC142	Eastern Cape	Lady Grey
152	Setsoto	FS191	Free State	Ficksburg
153	Siyancuma	NC078	Northern Cape	Douglas
154	Siyanda	NC071	Northern Cape	Upington
155	Siyathemba	NC077	Northern Cape	Prieska
156	Sol Plaatje	NC091	Northern Cape	Kimberley
157	Stellenbosch	WC024	Western Cape	Stellenbosch
158	Steytlerville	EC107	Eastern Cape	Steytlerville
159	Sundays River Valley	EC106	Eastern Cape	Kirkwood
160	Swartland	WC015	Western Cape	Malmesbury
161	Swellendam	WC034	Western Cape	Swellendam
162	Thaba Chweu	MP321	Mpumalanga	Lydenburg
163	Thabazimbi	LIM361	Limpopo	Thabazimbi
164	Thembelihle	NC076	Northern Cape	Hopetown
165	Thembisile Hani	MP315	Mpumalanga	Kwaggafontein
166	Thulamela	LIM343	Limpopo	Thohoyandou
167	Tokologo	FS182	Free State	Boshof
168	Tsantsabane	NC085	Northern Cape	Postmasburg
169	Tswelopele	FS183	Free State	Bultfontein
170	uBuhlebezwe	KZN434	KwaZulu-Natal	Ixopo
171	uMhlabuyalingana	KZN271	KwaZulu-Natal	Kwangwanase
172	uMhlathuze	KZN282	KwaZulu-Natal	Richards Bay
173	uMngeni	KZN222	KwaZulu-Natal	Howick
174	uMshwathi	KZN221	KwaZulu-Natal	New Hanover
175	uMuziwabantu	KZN214	KwaZulu-Natal	Harding
176	uPhongolo	KZN262	KwaZulu-Natal	Pongola
177	uThukela	DC23	KwaZulu-Natal	Ladysmith
178	uThungulu	DC28	KwaZulu-Natal	Richards Bay
179	uMkhanyakude	DC27	KwaZulu-Natal	Mkuze
180	uMzinyathi	DC24	KwaZulu-Natal	Dundee
181	uMgungundlovu	DC22	KwaZulu-Natal	Pietermaritzburg
182	uMkhanyakude	DC27	KwaZulu-Natal	Mkuze
183	uMzinyathi	DC24	KwaZulu-Natal	Dundee
184	uThukela	DC23	KwaZulu-Natal	Ladysmith
185	uThungulu	DC28	KwaZulu-Natal	Richards Bay
186	uMhlathuze	KZN282	KwaZulu-Natal	Richards Bay
187	uMlalazi	KZN284	KwaZulu-Natal	Eshow

Municipalities In South Africa And How They Are Structured

Municipalities in South Africa form the third tier of government, following the national and provincial levels. They are responsible for local governance and service delivery, ensuring that communities have access to essential services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and waste management. The structure and functioning of municipalities are guided by the Constitution of South Africa, particularly Chapter 7, which defines their roles, responsibilities, and governance framework.

1. The Three Types of Municipalities

South Africa has 257 municipalities, categorized into three types:

1.1 Metropolitan Municipalities (Category A)

Metropolitan municipalities govern large, densely populated urban areas that do not fall under any district municipality. They have exclusive authority over their areas and manage both urban and rural components within their jurisdiction.

There are eight metropolitan municipalities in South Africa:

City of Johannesburg
City of Tshwane (Pretoria)
Ekurhuleni
City of Cape Town
eThekwini (Durban)
Nelson Mandela Bay (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth)
Buffalo City (East London)
Mangaung (Bloemfontein)

1.2 District Municipalities (Category C)

District municipalities govern large geographic areas and include several local municipalities. They coordinate regional development and provide services that local municipalities may lack the capacity to deliver. South Africa has 44 district municipalities, each made up of multiple local municipalities.

Functions of district municipalities include:

Bulk water supply
Disaster management
Firefighting services
Coordination of development planning

1.3 Local Municipalities (Category B)

Local municipalities fall within district municipalities and are responsible for direct service delivery to communities. There are 205 local municipalities in South Africa, varying in size and capacity.

Local municipalities handle:

Water and sanitation services
Local roads and public transport
Waste management
Electricity distribution (in some areas)

2. Structure of Municipalities

Municipal governance consists of political structures, administrative structures, and community participation mechanisms.

2.1 Political Structures

Each municipality has a municipal council, which is the highest decision-making body.

Composition of a Municipal Council:

Elected councillors: Chosen through a mixed electoral system of proportional representation and ward-based elections.
Executive mayor or executive committee: Responsible for policy implementation.
Speaker of the council: Ensures order during council meetings.

Types of Municipal Governance Systems:

Municipalities adopt different executive systems:

Mayoral Executive System – The executive mayor has extensive powers and appoints a mayoral committee.
Collective Executive System – An executive committee collectively makes decisions.
Plenary System – Used by smaller municipalities, where all councillors have equal decision-making powers.

2.2 Administrative Structures

Municipalities have professional administrative staff, led by a municipal manager, who oversees day-to-day operations and implements council decisions.

Key departments include:

Finance and treasury
Infrastructure and technical services
Community development
Economic development and planning

2.3 Community Participation Mechanisms

South African law requires municipalities to involve communities in governance. Mechanisms include:

Ward Committees: Represent community interests at the municipal level.
Public Participation Forums: Engage residents in decision-making processes.
Integrated Development Plans (IDPs): Five-year strategic plans developed with community input.

3. Functions and Responsibilities of Municipalities

The functions of municipalities are outlined in Schedules 4B and 5B of the Constitution, and they include:

3.1 Service Delivery Responsibilities

Water and Sanitation: Providing clean water and proper sewage systems.
Electricity Distribution: Some municipalities manage electricity supply.
Waste Management: Collection and disposal of household and commercial waste.
Road Maintenance: Repairing local roads and infrastructure.
Public Transport: Managing bus and taxi ranks, and issuing transport permits.

3.2 Economic Development and Planning

Spatial Planning and Land Use Management: Regulating land use and zoning.
Business Regulation: Issuing trading licenses and permits.
Local Economic Development (LED): Supporting small businesses and attracting investment.

3.3 Social and Community Services

Housing Development: Coordinating housing projects with provincial and national governments.
Health Services: Running municipal clinics and environmental health programs.
Education and Libraries: Providing public libraries and early childhood development centers.

3.4 Disaster Management and Public Safety

Firefighting services
Disaster response and risk management
Law enforcement through municipal police

4. Challenges Facing Municipalities

Despite their critical role, South African municipalities face significant challenges, including:

4.1 Financial Mismanagement and Corruption

Poor financial controls, leading to irregular and wasteful expenditure.
Corruption scandals affecting service delivery.

4.2 Infrastructure Decay and Poor Service Delivery

Ageing infrastructure causing water and electricity outages.
Inadequate waste management leading to environmental hazards.

4.3 Political Instability and Governance Issues

Infighting within municipal councils disrupting service delivery.
Frequent leadership changes affecting continuity.

4.4 Limited Revenue Collection and Budget Constraints

Low revenue collection due to non-payment by residents and businesses.
Dependence on national government grants.

5. Reforms and Solutions for Better Municipal Governance

5.1 Strengthening Financial Management

Enhancing financial accountability through regular audits.
Implementing strict measures to combat corruption.

5.2 Infrastructure Investment and Maintenance

Upgrading water, electricity, and road infrastructure.
Ensuring timely maintenance of municipal assets.

5.3 Improving Public Participation and Governance

Enhancing transparency in decision-making.
Strengthening ward committees and community engagement.

5.4 Enhancing Revenue Collection

Introducing innovative billing systems.
Partnering with the private sector for municipal development projects.

Conclusion

Municipalities in South Africa play a crucial role in governance and service delivery. Despite challenges such as financial mismanagement, political instability, and ageing infrastructure, municipalities remain the backbone of local development. Strengthening financial controls, improving governance, and enhancing community participation are key to ensuring that municipalities effectively serve their residents.