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Limpopo
Limpopo, South Africa’s northernmost province, lies within the great elbow of the Limpopo River. It is a province of dramatic contrasts – from true bushveld country to majestic mountains, primeval indigenous forests, latter-day plantations, unspoilt wilderness areas and a patchwork of farming land.
Limpopo has a strong rural basis. Its growth strategy centres on addressing infrastructure backlogs, the alleviation of poverty, and social development. Limpopo is the gateway to the rest of Africa. It is favourably situated for economic co-operation with other parts of southern Africa as it shares borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The province is linked to the Maputo Development Corridor through the Phalaborwa SDI, which is a network of rail and road corridors connecting to the major seaports, which will open up Limpopo for trade and investment. This is complemented by the presence of smaller airports in centres such as Phalaborwa and Musina, as well as the Gateway International Airport in Polokwane. The airport carries about 38 000 passengers a year.
The Maputo Corridor will link the province directly with the Port of Maputo, creating development and trade opportunities, particularly in the south-eastern part of the province.
Provincial profile
- Steeped in history, Limpopo celebrates a rich cultural heritage, and at many archaeological sites the mysteries of the past and ancient peoples are still being unearthed.
- Much of the land, particularly in the Kruger National Park and other game and nature reserves is unspoilt, providing sanctuary to large numbers of game.
- The province’s natural resources include more than 50 provincial reserves, as well as several private game reserves. The largest section of the Kruger National Park is situated along the eastern boundary of Limpopo with Mozambique.
- Mapungubwe (Place of The Jackal) Hill, some 75 km from Musina, used to be a natural fortress for its inhabitants from about AD 950 to 1200. It was declared a world heritage site in 2003.
- Extensive tea and coffee plantations create many employment opportunities in the Tzaneen area.
- The largest tomato farm in South Africa lies between Tzaneen and Makhado. Extensive forestry plantations are also found here.
- About 60% of South Africa’s tomatoes, 33% of its oranges and 70% of its mangoes come from Limpopo.
In Limpopo, more than 5,3 million people live on about 123 910 km2 of land (Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006).
Polokwane is the capital city and lies strategically in the centre of the province.
The Great North Road running through the centre of the province strings together a series of interesting towns. Bela-Bela, with its popular mineral spa, is near the southern border of the province.
Further north lie Modimolle, with its table-grape industry and beautiful Waterberg mountain range; Mokopane; Polokwane; Makhado at the foot of the Soutpansberg mountain range; and Musina, with its thick-set baobab trees. The crossing into Zimbabwe is at Beit Bridge, where the South African section of this important route north into Africa ends.
Other important Limpopo towns include the major mining centres of Phalaborwa and Thabazimbi; and Tzaneen, producer of tea, forestry products and tropical fruits.
This province is in the savanna biome, an area of mixed grassland and trees, which is generally known as bushveld. A trip through this summer-rainfall area soon shows that this is tree country.
Accommodation
Limpopo boasts a variety of accommodation establishments to cater for all tastes and budgets.
Tourism and leisure
Waterberg
The Nylsvley Nature Reserve boasts one of the greatest concentrations of waterfowl and bushveld birds in South Africa. More than 400 species frequent the area.
The Mokopane vicinity has several nature reserves. The Arend Dieperink Museum features a fine cultural-historical collection and the Makapan caves are notable for their fossils. The caves are being developed into an archaeological site.
Makapan Valley is an extension of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The Makapansgat caves and limeworks near Mokopane represent an archaeological site of global importance.
The Thabazimbi district has a large concentration of private game reserves and is one of the fastest-growing ecotourism areas in the country. The Marakele National Park is home to some rare yellowwood and cedar trees and the world’s largest colony of Cape vultures. It is also a leader in the conservation of the black rhino outside of the Kruger National Park and the KwaZulu-Natal parks.
Bela-Bela is known for its hot springs. There are also a number of game reserves and leisure resorts in the area.
The Waterberg range is rich in indigenous trees, streams, springs, wetlands and bird life. Cliffs known as the ‘Palace of the Vultures’ harbour a large breeding colony of Cape vultures. Modimolle is the region’s main town.
Capricorn district
The Bakone Malapa Open-Air Museum outside Polokwane is a traditional Northern Sotho kraal. Men and women practise traditional skills such as making baskets, clay pots, furniture and utensils, and preparing hides.
Zion City at Moria near Polokwane is the headquarters of the Zion Christian Church, which attracts more than a million pilgrims every Easter.
Polokwane hosts a great variety of museums and art galleries.
Vhembe district
The Mapungubwe Archaeological Site, situated 80 km west of Musina, lies within the boundaries of the Mapungubwe National Park. It is one of the richest of its kind in Africa and is a world heritage site. Excavations in the 1930s uncovered a royal graveyard, which included a number of golden artefacts, including the famous gold foil rhinoceros.
Also worth visiting is the Big Tree in the Mutale Municipality, the Tshatshingo potholes; the mystical lake of Dzivhafundudzi; and the holy forest and waterfalls at Phiphidi.
Mopani district
The Modjadji Nature Reserve, north of Tzaneen, is named after the legendary Rain Queen, Modjadji, who is believed to have settled in the area early in the 16th century. The reserve encompasses the world’s largest concentration of the cycad species Encephalartos transvenosus, also known as the Modjadji cycad.
At the Tsonga Kraal Open-Air Museum, arts, crafts and traditional huts reflect the Tsonga lifestyle of 100 years ago.
The Kruger National Park (northern section) is one of South Africa’s major tourist attractions. The park is home to a large number and wide variety of amphibians, reptiles and birds, as well as 147 mammal species, including the Big Five. Thulamela, in the northern part of the Kruger National Park, was opened to guided groups in June 1997. This followed seven years of archaeological excavations, which brought to light the skeletons of two ancient royals and a multitude of artefacts, including gold bangles, beads and a double gong.
Bohlabela district
On the way to the Kruger National Park, visitors can enjoy the wildlife experiences at Manyeleti, home of the Big Five. Adventurers can attempt mountain-climbing at the Mangwazi Nature Reserve and enjoy the Mapulaneng Trail at Zoeknog. The Inyaka Dam at Bushbuckridge is also worth a visit.
Contact details
Limpopo Provincial Government
Private Bag X9483, Polokwane, 0700
Mowaneng Building, 40 Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane
Tel: (015) 287 6000
Fax: (015) 295 3840
Website: www.limpopo.gov.za