Thabazimbi Municipality

Thabazimbi Municipality is located in the southwestern part of Limpopo Province, has Botswana as its international neighbour, and is a mere two hours’ drive from the city of Tshwane.

Thabazimbi is known as the ‘mountain of iron’, which is the Tswana name for this peaceful, productive town. The name refers to the highly lucrative iron-ore reef first discovered in the municipality in 1919. Iron and steel production started in 1930 and the town was proclaimed in 1953.

Today, Iscor Steelworks in Tshwane still draws much of its raw material from Thabazimbi Kumba Resources (iron-ore mine). Apart from iron ore, the Thabazimbi Municipality is surrounded by platinum-producing mines such as Northam Platinum Mine and Anglo Platinum Mines (Amandelbult, Tumela, Swartklip Union Section).

Other minerals produced in the area include andalusite (mined by Rhino Mine) and limestone for the production of cement (mined by Pretoria Portland Cement).

The municipality falls within the Waterberg District municipal area and the boundaries of Thabazimbi Municipality incorporate areas such as: Thabazimbi; Northam; Leeupoort; Rooiberg and Dwaalboom.

Main industries
Thabazimbi has demonstrated strength in the tourism, agriculture and mining sectors, with the latter showing tremendous growth potential. The mining sector has huge potential to absorb many skills within the municipality. There is also a need to establish opportunities in small-scale mining.  Agriculture has also proven to be a strong economic
sector in the municipality. Agricultural commodities produced include wheat, beans and maize.

Main attractions
Thabazimbi Municipality boasts one of the country’s most sought-after tourist attractions.
The municipality’s main attraction is the Marekele National Park, which is a subsidiary of South African National Parks and of the same standard as the Kruger and Mapungubwe
National Parks. The game lodges scattered around the municipal area help to promote the environmental sustainability of the region as a tourist destination. Other attractions include the Atherstone Nature Reserve and Ben Alberts Golf Course.

The municipality won the National Vuna Award for local economic development during the previous Vuna competition. In its endeavour to market itself as a tourist destination, the municipality participated at the Coca-Cola Dome Tourism Indaba Exhibition. It was also nominated as a tourist destination at the International Tourism Exhibition held in Lugano, Switzerland during financial year 2009/10.

Contact details
Key personnel:
• Naledi Lucas Matlou, Mayor
• Rodger Nkhumise, Municipal Manager
• Molatelo Mabitsela, HOD: Planning and Economic Development
• Molatlhegi Peter Motlhabane, LED Officer
Tel: +27 14 777 1525 Ext 107
Fax: +27 14 777 1531
Email: mmabitsela@thabazimbi.gov.za
Email: motlhabanemp@thabazimbi.gov.za
Physical address: 7 Rietbok Street, Thabazimbi 0380
Postal address: PO Box 90, Thabazimbi 0380
Website: www.thabazimbi.gov.za

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