Limpopo

File:Excavations.jpg]]

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.

Until 1994 it was the northern part of the former Transvaal Province. For a short period since 1994 it was called the Province of NorthReern Transvaal and thereafter, through the Constitution of the public of South Africa Amendment Act No. 20 of 1995 from July 1995 initially Northern Province.South Africa Survey 1995/96. SAIRR, Johannesburg 1996, p. 432.[http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/constitution/history/act/AMEND/ACT95020.PDF Act No . 20 of 1995: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1995] (PDF). In: Government Gazette, 1995-07-03, Vol. 361, No. 16522, p. 5; justice.gov.za (English). 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.Sapa: [https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/northern-province-to-be-renamed-limpopo-81705 Northern Province to be renamed Limpopo.] iol.co.za, February 13, 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/south-africa-fast-facts/news-facts/namechanges_100603 |access-date=2020-06-21|title=Limpopo changes town names|date=10 June 2003 }} Brand South Africa, June 10, 2003 (English). 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.Republic of South Africa: [https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a3-030.pdf Act No. 3 of 2003: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, 2003] (PDF; 267 kB)

In: Government Gazette, Vol. 454, No. 24744, April 11, 2003; gov. za (English).

In 2013, Stan Mathabatha replaced his predecessor Cassel Mathale (both ANC) as Prime Minister.

File:Limpopo Mountain Sundown.jpg

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.{{cite web|title=Minister Dlamini to conduct two-day Ministerial visit in Vhembe|url=http://www.gov.za/news/media-advisories/government-activities/minister-bathabile-dlamini-conducts-ministerial-visit|date=February 4, 2014|website=Government of South Africa|access-date=21 December 2017|archive-date=April 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401101433/http://www.gov.za/news/media-advisories/government-activities/minister-bathabile-dlamini-conducts-ministerial-visit|url-status=live}} 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 {{convert|15000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} which is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.C. Michael Hogan, Mark L. Cooke and Helen Murray, The Waterberg Biosphere, Lumina Technologies, 22 May 2006. {{cite web|url=http://www.luminatechnologies.org/lumaw.html |title=Lumaw |access-date=23 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324191043/http://www.luminatechnologies.org/lumaw.html |archive-date=24 March 2007 }}

{{main|Politics of Limpopo}}

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

{{main|List of municipalities in Limpopo}}

File:Map of Limpopo with districts labelled (2011).svg

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

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• 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

{{col div end}}

File:Toka Hlongwane (11).jpg

Limpopo has a total population of 6.015 million with 1.641 million households.{{Cite web|date=2 December 2021|title=STATISTICAL RELEASE P0318: General Household Survey 2020|url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0318/P03182020.pdf|url-status=live|website=www.statssa.gov.za |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606070331/http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0318/P03182020.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2023}} The province has a relatively high Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.710, which is the third highest in South Africa.

The bushveld is beef cattle country, where extensive ranching operations are often supplemented by controlled hunting. About 80% of South Africa's game hunting industry is in Limpopo.

Sunflowers, cotton, maize and peanuts are cultivated in the Bela-Bela and Modimolle areas. Modimolle is also known for its table grapes. An embryotic wine industry is growing in Limpopo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/business/sas-first-water-sommelier-candice-jansen-is-testing-the-waters-20220217|title = SA's first water sommelier, Candice Jansen, is testing the waters}} Tropical fruit, such as bananas, litchis, pineapples, mangoes and pawpaws, as well as a variety of nuts, are grown in the Tzaneen and Louis Trichardt areas. Tzaneen is also at the centre of extensive citrus, tea, and coffee plantations and a major forestry industry. Most of the farmers and households lack a water supply which makes them drill boreholes on their premises.{{cite news |last1=Molele |first1=Charles |title=Cultivating agri-business in Limpopo |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2016-11-25-00-cultivating-agri-business-in-limpopo/ |access-date=12 August 2020 |newspaper=Mail & Guardian |date=25 November 2016}}

Most Limpopo residents live in rural areas; this has led to a new phenomenon of rural development, where the residents have invested in building lavish homes on their tribal land. Limpopo rural houses have been profiled by TV channels, lifestyle vloggers, social media influencers, and Africa's biggest facts brand, Africa Facts Zone. According to 96.2% of Limpopo live in formal housing, above the national average of 84.0%. This makes Limpopo the province with the highest percentage of people living in formal housing in South Africa.

File:Ajoite in quartz - Messina mine, Limpopo Province, South Africa.jpg in quartz, from the Messina mine, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Scale at bottom is one inch, with a rule at one cm.{{citation needed|reason=there are 2.5 cm to an inch and the dimensions presented don't add up|date=December 2012}}]]

Limpopo's rich mineral deposits include the platinum group metals, iron ore, chromium, high- and middle-grade coking coal, diamonds, antimony, phosphate, and copper, as well as mineral reserves like gold, emeralds, scheelite, magnetite, vermiculite, silicon, and mica. Commodities such as black granite, corundum, and feldspar are also found. Mining contributes to over a fifth of the provincial economy.

Limpopo has the largest platinum deposit in South Africa.{{Cite web |title=title |url=https://www.angloamerican.com/our-stories/innovation-and-technology/mine-profile-mogalakwena |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.angloamerican.com |language=en}} The Waterberg Coalfield, the eastern extension of Botswana's Mmamabula coalfields, is estimated to contain 40% of South Africa's coal reserves.{{cite web|url=http://cicenergycorp.com/project/mmamabula_coalfield/|title=Mmamabula Coalfield|website=Cicenergycorp.com|date=February 2012|access-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106124458/http://www.cicenergycorp.com/project/mmamabula_coalfield/|archive-date=6 November 2010|url-status=dead}}

The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has targeted the province as a preferred eco-tourism destination. Its Environment and Tourism Programme encompasses tourism, protected areas, and community environment development to achieve sustainable economic growth.http://www.search.gov.za/info/previewDocument.jsp?dk=/data/static/info/speeches/2010/10040713351001.htm@Gov&q=%3Cphrase%3E+Issued+by:+Department...&t=P+Moloto:+Limpopo+Economic+Development+Environment+and+Tourism+Prov+Budget+Speech+2010/11 {{dead link|date=December 2017}}

While Limpopo is one of South Africa's poorest provinces, it is rich in wildlife, which gives it an advantage in attracting tourists. Both the private and public sectors are investing in tourism development.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=John |title=Advantages of Limpopo Province as business destination |url=https://www.globalafricanetwork.com/company-news/advantages-of-limpopo-province-as-business-destination/ |access-date=12 August 2020 |newspaper=Global Africa Network |date=19 August 2019}}

Near Modjadjiskloof, at Sunland Baobab farms, there is a large Baobab tree which has been fashioned into a relatively spacious pub.{{cite web |url=http://www.bigbaobab.co.za/ |title=The Big Baobab Limpopo South Africa | The Largest Baobab in the World |publisher=Bigbaobab.co.za |date=24 March 2011 |access-date=2 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915100435/http://www.bigbaobab.co.za/ |archive-date=15 September 2019 |url-status=dead }}

The province has excellent road, rail, and air links. The N1 route from Johannesburg, which extends the length of the province, is the busiest overland route in Africa in terms of cross-border trade in raw materials and beneficiated goods.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} The port of Durban, South Africa's busiest, is served directly {{clarify|date=April 2018}} by the province, as are the ports of Richards Bay and Maputo. Polokwane International Airport is situated just north of Polokwane. Limpopo province contains approximately 56 airports and airstrips.{{cite web |title=Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) – About |url=https://www.gaal.co.za/about.html |website=www.gaal.co.za |access-date=7 March 2022}}

The Department of Education is responsible for effecting quality education and training for all. The Department has to coordinate all professional development and support. Policies, systems, and procedures had to be developed.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

As of December 2020, 12.9% of the Limpopo population had attained some post-school qualifications. The following higher education institutions are found in Limpopo:

• University of Limpopo (Polokwane, Mankweng)
• University of Venda (Thohoyandou)
• Tshwane University of Technology (Polokwane Campus)
• Capricorn College for TVET (Polokwane){{Cite web|title=Capricorn TVET College|url=https://www.govpage.co.za/capricorn-tvet-college.html|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.govpage.co.za|language=en}}
• Lephalale TVET College (Lephalale){{Cite web|title=Lephalale TVET College|url=https://www.govpage.co.za/lephalale-tvet-college.html|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.govpage.co.za|language=en}}
• Letaba TVET College (Tzaneen){{Cite web|title=Letaba TVET College|url=https://www.govpage.co.za/letaba-tvet-college.html|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.govpage.co.za|language=en}}
• Mopani South East TVET College (Phalaborwa){{Cite web|title=Mopani South East TVET College|url=https://www.govpage.co.za/mopani-south-east-tvet-college.html|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.govpage.co.za|language=en}}
• Sekhukhune TVET College (Motetema){{Cite web|title=Sekhukhune TVET College|url=https://www.govpage.co.za/sekhukhune-tvet-college.html|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.govpage.co.za|language=en}}
• Vhembe TVET College (Venda){{Cite web|title=Vhembe TVET College|url=https://www.govpage.co.za/vhembe-tvet-college.html|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.govpage.co.za|language=en}}
• Waterberg TVET College (Mokopane){{Cite web|last=singh|first=Aman|title=Waterberg TVET College|url=https://nxtgovtjobs.com/waterberg-college-vacancies/|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|website=nxtgovtjobs.com|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022142147/https://nxtgovtjobs.com/waterberg-college-vacancies/ |archive-date=22 October 2021}}

File:Teams_are_warming_up_(4738980575).jpg]]

• Association football: Polokwane was one of South Africa's host cities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with matches being played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Football clubs in the province include Real Rovers, Silver Stars, Black Leopards, Polokwane City, Magesi, Baroka, Ria Stars and Dynamos.
• Rugby union: Limpopo has no provincial rugby team of its own; it is represented in the domestic Currie Cup by the Pretoria-based Blue Bulls. The Blue Bulls also operate a Super Rugby franchise, the Bulls. Limpopo nonetheless produces its share of top players. Most notably, the second most-capped forward in the history of the country's national team, Victor Matfield, is a native of Polokwane.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-22 |title=Eben Etzebeth can win 150 caps for South Africa - Victor Matfield - BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c4g0mn2y31no |access-date=2024-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222210512/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c4g0mn2y31no |archive-date=22 December 2024 }}
• Basketball: The province is home to Limpopo Pride, a professional team that plays in South Africa's top basketball division, the Basketball National League.

[[File:Limpopo population density map.svg|thumb|Population density in Limpopo

{{legend-col

|{{legend|#ffffcc|< 1 /km²}}

|{{legend|#ffeda0|1–3 /km²}}

|{{legend|#fed976|3–10 /km²}}

|{{legend|#feb24c|10–30 /km²}}

|{{legend|#fd8d3c|30–100 /km²}}

|{{legend|#fc4e2a|100–300 /km²}}

|{{legend|#e31a1c|300–1000 /km²}}

|{{legend|#bc0026|1000–3000 /km²}}

|{{legend|#800026|> 3000 /km²}}

}}]]

[[File:Limpopo dominant language map.svg|thumb|Dominant home languages in Limpopo

{{legend-col

|{{legend|#8dd3c7|Afrikaans}}

|{{legend|#ffffb3|English}}

|{{legend|#fdb462|Pedi}}

|{{legend|#bc80bd|Swati}}

|{{legend|#ffed6f|Tsonga}}

|{{legend|#fccde5|Tswana}}

|{{legend|#ccebc5|Venda}}

|{{legend|#d0d0d0|No language dominant}}

}}]]

The population of Limpopo consists of several ethnic groups distinguished by culture, language, and race. 97.3% of the population is Black, 2.4% is White, 0.2% is Coloured, and 0.1% is Indian/Asian. The province has the smallest percentage and second smallest total number of White South Africans in the country. However, there are several localities with a White majority, notably Hoedspruit and Modimolle. It also has the highest Black percentage out of all the provinces.

The Pedi comprise the largest percentage of the population, 52% of the province. The Tsonga people comprise about 24.0% of the province; the Tsonga also comprise about 11.5% of Mpumalanga province since the southern part of their homeland, Gazankulu, was cut off from Limpopo and allocated to Mpumalanga. The Venda make up about 16.7%. Afrikaners make up the majority of Limpopo's White population, about 95,000 people; English-speaking Whites number just over 20,000. Vhembe district has the smallest share of White people in Limpopo, about 5,000 total. In contrast, the Waterberg district has the largest share of Whites, with more than 60,000 Whites residing there. Coloureds and Asians/Indians make up a tiny percentage of the province's total population.

At 18.5% (2007), Limpopo has a relatively high incidence of HIV compared to other South African provinces. Cases rose from 14.5% to 21.5% between 2001 and 2005, with a slight fall between 2005 and 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.avert.org/safricastats.htm|title=HIV and AIDS in South Africa|date=21 July 2015|website=Avert.org|access-date=21 December 2017}} However, as at 2019, the Limpopo province HIV stats sat at (13.2%) which is one of the lowest in comparison with other provinces in South Africa.{{Cite web|title=Half a million adults in Johannesburg are HIV-positive – new study|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-27-half-a-million-adults-in-johannesburg-are-hiv-positive-new-study/|access-date=4 June 2021|website=TimesLIVE|language=en-ZA}}

• List of cities and towns in Limpopo
• Limpopo River
• Xibelani dance
• Zoutpansberg division

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Limpopo}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20211020132944/https://limpopo.nxtgovtjobs.com/ Limpopo Provincial Government]
• [http://www.golimpopo.com/ Limpopo Tourism Agency]

{{Limpopo Province}}

{{Provinces of South Africa}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Provinces of South Africa

Category:States and territories established in 1994

Category:1994 establishments in South Africa