Mbhashe Local Municipality
Mbhashe Municipality (Xhosa: uMasipala wase Mbhashe) is a local municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The municipality was constituted in terms of the Municipal Structures Act of 1998 and comprises the areas that previously formed the Elliotdale, Willowvale and Dutywa town councils. The municipality is located in the north eastern part of the Amathole District Municipality. The main administrative office is situated in Dutywa.
Mbhashe | |
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Seal | |
Location in the Eastern Cape | |
| Coordinates: 32°10′S 28°35′E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Amathole |
| Seat | Dutywa |
| Wards | 31 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Samkelo Nicholas Janda (ANC) |
| • Speaker | Babalwa Majavu (ANC) |
| • Chief Whip | Mandla Sibingibingi (ANC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,169 km2 (1,224 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 254,909 |
| • Density | 80/km2 (210/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 99.4% |
| • Coloured | 0.1% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.1% |
| • White | 0.2% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Xhosa | 95.7% |
| • English | 1.6% |
| • Other | 2.7% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Municipal code | EC121 |
Its primary claim to fame is as the birthplace of former President Thabo Mbeki. The Mbanyana Falls, Mbhashe Cultural Village and Donald Wood's Snooker Room number among its attractions. The word Mbashe is derived from isiXhosa. The municipality is named after the Mbashe River. The area also boasts the head offices of the AmaXhosa Kingdom at the Nqadu Great Place.