Nama Khoi Local Municipality

The Nama Khoi Local Municipal area showcases world-renowned tourist attractions such as the springtime flowers, while also serving as a window into the ancient culture of the Khoi-San.

The Nama Khoi Municipal area is situated in the north-western part of the Northern Cape Province. It forms part of the Namakwa District Municipality with the town of Springbok as the administrative centre. The municipality includes the communities of Springbok, Steinkopf, Okiep, Rooiwinkel, Concordia, Komaggas, Buffelsrivier, Nababeep, Bulletrap, Vioolsdrif, Goodhouse, Kleinzee and Carolusberg. An independent survey, done by Empowerdex during 2009, rated Nama Khoi as the best municipality in the country. According to this research, 94% of the inhabitants have access to basic services.

Vision

To proudly deliver sustainable quality services to the entire Nama Khoi community.

Mission

To deliver outstanding service to the community and to stimulate economic development in the region with the focus on the previously disadvantaged.

Local economic development projects
• Mixed-development housing scheme (350 units)
• RDP houses (1 900)
• Upgrading of the electricity network (R47-million)
• Building of new community hall (Vaalwater)
• Building of new library (Nababeep)
• Renovations at Goegap Nature Reserve (R47-million)
• Job creation at Goegap Nature Reserve (389 jobs)
• New windfarm
• Sanitation scheme (Vaalwater)
• Various EPWP projects (roads and storm water)

Flagship municipal projects

The municipality’s current flagship projects are the building of a new and modern Namaqua shopping mall as well as the building of a modern and multi-purpose soccer facility.

Community initiatives that the municipality is involved with
• Sports and training
• Commonage areas
• Youth
• Disability
• Gender and HIV and Aids
• Youth parliament
• loveLife goGogetters programmes
• Springbok cluster social-crime-prevention festive-season plans
• Soup kitchens

Advantages of establishing a business in the municipal area
The municipal valuation of taxable property is R474 326 698 and the municipality has a very low crime rate as well as a pleasant warm climate. The people are friendly and down to earth and the clean drinking water is supplied by the Orange River. The town has a new, modern taxi rank and there is a good supply of affordable labour available. All rates and taxes are affordable and big plots for businesses are easy to come by.

Main resources/attractions

This region is known as the land of the Nama people, the domain of the indigenous Khoi-San. ‘Salt of the earth’ is a phrase many use when referring to the inhabitants of this geographic space. Rich history and culture are nestled against a backdrop of storytelling, ‘langarm’ dance, potjiekos and braaivleis. It is a wonderful playground where nature shows its greatness and magic, especially during spring, when this arid region turns into a kaleidoscope of brilliant colours.

The mighty Orange River provides not only solace to the soul of the avid nature-lover and watersports such as river rafting for the more adventurous. Tourism has become an economic pillar, relieving hardships and serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage buried in the plains of Namakwa. The natural beauty of this region is unsurpassed. Although the area is known for its springtime flowers, there is much more on offer throughout the year. Besides historic attractions like the Blue Mine (second oldest commercial mine in South Africa) there is also the Van der Stel Mine Shaft (national monument) located in Carolusberg. The Goegap Nature Reserve hosts about 600 indigenous flower species, 45 mammal species (including springbok, gemsbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebra), 94 bird species and several species of reptile and amphibian. The reserve also includes the unique Hester Malan wild-flower garden, which showcases many Namakwa succulents and a rock garden.

Other attractions include:

• Klara – the steam engine at the Nababeep museum
• Orbicule Hill – national momument in Concordia
• Namakwa Festival – annual musical and cultural event held during December
• Anglican Church in Springbok (probably the oldest building in town)
• Rondavels (Nama-matjieshuise) near Steinkopf
• Well-known Nama-dance

Key facts and figures

District municipality: Nama Khoi Municipality forms part of the Namakwa District Municipality. It is the biggest municipality in comparison to the other five municipalities that also form part of the Namakwa District Municipality.

Population: 64 000
Area covered: 15 025km2
Major towns: Springbok, Okiep, Nababeep, Concordia and Steinkopf

Key infrastructure

Main roads: Road links with the major industrial and urban centres
Airports: Air links with the major industrial and urban centres
Harbours: Port Nolloth
Transportation: Realiable taxi and bus services, daily between Springbok, Cape Town and Upington
Port: Vioolsdrift
Other: Fourteen clinics and two modern hospitals. Established businesses in the Nama Khoi Municipality’s area of jurisdiction, as well as 23 schools for primary and secondary education. There is also the Namaqualand Campus of the Northern Cape FET College at Okiep as well as social and recreational clubs.

Contact details

Key personnel
Frank van den Heever, Mayor
Madeleinne Brandt, Municipal Manager
Key contact people:
Isaac Cloete, Media and Communications Officer
Brandon Love, IT Officer
Tel: +27 27 718 8100
Fax: +27 27 712 1635
Email: springbok@namakhoi.gov.za
Physical address: 4 Namakwa Street, Springbok 8240
Postal address: PO Box 17, Private Bag X22, Springbok 8240
Website: www.namakhoi.gov.za

« Back


© 2009 Northern Cape Business

Northern Cape Business is published by Global Africa Network (Pty) Ltd
Company registration: 2004/004982/07
Directors: C During; SS Mabotja; CJ Whales; R Pembroke
Copyright
The copyright and all other intellectual property rights in this publication are and remain vested in, or are licensed to, Global Africa Network (Pty) Ltd
Disclaimer
Global Africa Network (Pty) Ltd (GAN), its employees, directors and agents are not responsible for any losses or damages (including any consequential, indirect or special damages) which you might suffer arising out of or in connection with the use of, or inability to use, GAN's publications or websites. While GAN uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information in this publication, GAN makes no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, availability or completeness of the information, software, products or other materials available in this publication. Use of this publication is at your own risk. GAN will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.