Matjhabeng | |
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![]() Location in the Free State | |
Coordinates: 27°58′S 26°44′E / 27.967°S 26.733°E | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | Free State |
District | Lejweleputswa |
Seat | Welkom |
Wards | 36 |
Government | |
• Type | Municipal council |
• Mayor | Thanduxolo Khalipha[1] (ANC) |
Area | |
• Total | 5,155 km2 (1,990 sq mi) |
Population (2011)[3] | |
• Total | 406,461 |
• Density | 79/km2 (200/sq mi) |
Racial makeup (2011) | |
• Black African | 87.7% |
• Coloured | 2.1% |
• Indian/Asian | 0.4% |
• White | 9.6% |
First languages (2011) | |
• Sotho | 64.0% |
• Xhosa | 12.3% |
• Afrikaans | 12.3% |
• English | 3.6% |
• Other | 7.8% |
Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
Municipal code | FS184 |
Matjhabeng Municipality (Sotho: Masepala wa Matjhabeng; Xhosa: uMasipala wase Matjhabeng; Afrikaans: Matjhabeng Munisipaliteit) is a local municipality within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, in the Free State province of South Africa. The municipality includes Welkom, Virginia, Odendaalsrus and Allanridge.[4] Matjhabeng is a Sesotho word meaning "where nations meet". It is derived from the migrant labour system where people from various countries like Lesotho, Mozambique, etc. met to work in the mines.[5]