Ukhahlamba District
UKHAHLAMBA DISTRICT
Local municipalities are: Malethswai (Aliwal North, Jamestown); Elundini (Mount Fletcher, Maclear, Ugie); Senqu (Lady Grey, Sterkspruit, Barkly East, Rhodes); Gariep (Burgersdorp, Venterstad).
The Ukhahlamba District borders the Free State and Lesotho in the north. The Orange River, the Gariep Dam and the southern Drakensberg on the borders with Lesotho are three of the main features of the district. Karoo terrain in the west gives way to the foothills of the Drakensberg in ex-Transkei areas in the east. The district covers 25,553 square kilometres.
Ukhahlamba's population is estimated at 341,339, the smallest of the districts, with a low population density of 13 people per square kilometre. The population is concentrated in the ex-Transkei areas of Sterkspruit and Mount Fletcher, giving an African majority population of 94%. The coloured population is 3% and the proportion of whites is 3%. Xhosa is the majority language, but with significant use of Sesotho, especially in the areas close to Lesotho
Ukhahlamba is a small economy that provides only 3% of provincial value added, but the ex-Transkei areas provide significant subsistence economic activity. Agriculture predominates in Ukhahlamba, providing 18% of value added and 29% of formal employment. Livestock is the most important farming occupation, with small-stock farming in the Karoo areas of Steynburg and Burgersdorp producing wool, mohair and mutton. Cattle farming predominates in the ex-Transkei areas that are higher in rainfall, although goat and sheep farming is also present. Irrigation takes place along the Orange River. Ukhahlamba is the province’s main area for maize growing, along the Orange River, and for wheat growing, in the foothills of the Drakensberg. There are large forestry plantations in the areas around Maclear, Ugie and Mount Fletcher.
Manufacturing contributes 19% of value added and 5% of employment. Maize mills in Aliwal North and Maclear source supplies both locally and from the Free State. Food processing is the most important industry, centred on Aliwal North. Limited furniture production also takes place in Aliwal North, with some wood processing around Maclear and Mount Fletcher. Tourism centres on three areas. The southern Drakensberg and its foothills provide an ideal environment for outdoor tourism, including forest walks, trout fishing and the only ski lodge in South Africa. The 'Friendly N6' tourism route centres on 'stop overs' between the East Cape, the Free State and Gauteng, and is linked to both the Drakensberg and the Gariep Dam, which provides water sports. Aliwal North hosts a spa. Government services play a significant role in the economy, providing 39% of value and 35% of formal employment.
OPPORTUNITIES
Local municipalities are: Malethswai (Aliwal North, Jamestown); Elundini (Mount Fletcher, Maclear, Ugie); Senqu (Lady Grey, Sterkspruit, Barkly East, Rhodes); Gariep (Burgersdorp, Venterstad).
The Ukhahlamba District borders the Free State and Lesotho in the north. The Orange River, the Gariep Dam and the southern Drakensberg on the borders with Lesotho are three of the main features of the district. Karoo terrain in the west gives way to the foothills of the Drakensberg in ex-Transkei areas in the east. The district covers 25,553 square kilometres.
Ukhahlamba's population is estimated at 341,339, the smallest of the districts, with a low population density of 13 people per square kilometre. The population is concentrated in the ex-Transkei areas of Sterkspruit and Mount Fletcher, giving an African majority population of 94%. The coloured population is 3% and the proportion of whites is 3%. Xhosa is the majority language, but with significant use of Sesotho, especially in the areas close to Lesotho
Ukhahlamba is a small economy that provides only 3% of provincial value added, but the ex-Transkei areas provide significant subsistence economic activity. Agriculture predominates in Ukhahlamba, providing 18% of value added and 29% of formal employment. Livestock is the most important farming occupation, with small-stock farming in the Karoo areas of Steynburg and Burgersdorp producing wool, mohair and mutton. Cattle farming predominates in the ex-Transkei areas that are higher in rainfall, although goat and sheep farming is also present. Irrigation takes place along the Orange River. Ukhahlamba is the province’s main area for maize growing, along the Orange River, and for wheat growing, in the foothills of the Drakensberg. There are large forestry plantations in the areas around Maclear, Ugie and Mount Fletcher.
Manufacturing contributes 19% of value added and 5% of employment. Maize mills in Aliwal North and Maclear source supplies both locally and from the Free State. Food processing is the most important industry, centred on Aliwal North. Limited furniture production also takes place in Aliwal North, with some wood processing around Maclear and Mount Fletcher. Tourism centres on three areas. The southern Drakensberg and its foothills provide an ideal environment for outdoor tourism, including forest walks, trout fishing and the only ski lodge in South Africa. The 'Friendly N6' tourism route centres on 'stop overs' between the East Cape, the Free State and Gauteng, and is linked to both the Drakensberg and the Gariep Dam, which provides water sports. Aliwal North hosts a spa. Government services play a significant role in the economy, providing 39% of value and 35% of formal employment.
OPPORTUNITIES
- Livestock: Small-stock farming (sheep and goats) in the Karoo can be expanded through farm worker enterprises and can provide the wool, mohair and meat for small processing industries. Cattle farming can be expanded through investment in improved animals and marketing in the ex-Transkei areas.
- Crops: Ukhahlamba is the main area of the province for growing of maize and wheat, and this can provide a source of fodder for livestock farming. The Orange River has potential for further irrigated vegetable production.
- Forestry has room for expansion in the Ugie, Maclear and Mount Fletcher areas, linked to small sawmills and wood processing.
- Food processing can be developed through small-scale meat processing, with branding of food products from the Transkei.
- Wool and Mohair in the Karoo and Wool in the Transkei can be processed by small-scale craft industries into garments, providing a source of rural employment.
- Furniture can expand further, especially small-scale hand-crafted production drawing from the Maclear and Mount Fletcher forests.
- Tourism has great potential for further development, linked to the strong outdoor attractions of the southern Drakensberg and Gariep. Travellers stopping over from Gauteng, and links to the other tourism routes of the Eastern Cape offer opportunities.
