"Northern Transvaal" redirects here. For the rugby union team, seeBlue Bulls. For the cricket team previously called Northern Transvaal, seeNortherns (cricket team).
Limpopo (/lɪmˈpoʊpoʊ/) is the northernmostprovince ofSouth Africa. It is named after theLimpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The capital and largest city in the province isPolokwane, while the provincial legislature is situated inLebowakgomo.
The province is made up of three formerBantustans ofLebowa,Gazankulu andVenda and part of the formerTransvaal province. The Limpopo province was established as one of nine provinces after the1994 South African general election. The province's name was first "Northern Transvaal", later changed to "Northern Province" on 28 June 1995, with two other provinces. The name was later changed again in 2002 to the Limpopo Province. Limpopo is made up of three main ethnic groups: thePedi, theTsonga and theVenda.
Traditional leaders and chiefs still form a strong backbone of the province's political landscape. Established in terms of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders Act, Act 5 of 2005, the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders' main function is to advise the government and the legislature on matters related to custom, tradition, and culture, including developmental initiatives that affect rural communities. On 18 August 2017, Kgosi Malesela Dikgale was re-elected as the Chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders.[5]
The term "Limpopo" is derived from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), a group ofTsonga settlers led by Hosi Rivombo who settled in the mountainous vicinity and named the area after their leader. The Lebombo mountains are also named after them. The river has been called the Vhembe by local Venda communities of the area.[6]
Until 1994 it was the northern part of the former Transvaal Province. For a short period since 1994 it was called the Province of NorthernTransvaal and thereafter, through theConstitution of the public of South Africa Amendment Act No. 20 of 1995 from July 1995 initiallyNorthern Province.[7][8] The province was named after theLimpopo River by decision of the provincial assembly in 2002, and at the same time most of the cities on its territory were renamed.[9][10] However, the renaming of the province required an amendment to the South African constitution, which was passed with an amending law was made in 2003.[11]
The world heritage site of theMapungubwe National Park boasts archaeological finds from the period of a powerful local kingdom that ruled here between 800 CE and 1290 existed. The remains of asettlement from the period between the 15th and 17th century can be seen in Thulamela in the northern part of the Kruger National Park.
An extensive archaeological record from theStone Age to theIron Age, which covers the early history of Limpopo, reveals a complex web of human activity and the emergence of advanced societies. Early hominids and later Bantu-speaking farming communities used this area as a vital for their southward migration. From roughly AD1220 to 1300, it flourished as the capital of Southern Africa's first known indigenous kingdom. The subsequent rise ofGreat Zimbabwe to the north was directly impacted by Mapungubwe's evolution as a significant trading hub, its distinct social structure, and its eventual decline. Further archaeological evidence throughout the province reveals diverse cultures and interactions long before European contact.
Limpopo holds some of the earliest evidence of human ancestors and activity in Southern Africa, dating back millions of years.
Paleoanthropological Significance: TheMakapansgat Caves, which are close toMokopane are an important paleoanthropological site on a global scale. Fossil remains ofAustralopithecus africanus, an early hominid species that lived between 3 and 2.5 million years ago, have been discovered there. These findings shed important light on the earliest stages ofHuman evolution and the beginnings of tool use.[12]
Later Stone Age: TheWaterberg Biosphere is home to evidence ofLate Stone Age hunter-gatherer societies, which, were the ancestors of the present-daySan people.[13] Artifacts, wools, and rock art that portray the spiritual beliefs, everyday lives, and fauna of these nomadic communities can be found in rock shelters and caves, like theEcho Caves nearOhrigstad. Their existence suggests that people have lived in the province for tens of thousands of years.[14]
The advent of the Iron Age in Limpopo, marked a significant shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to one created on settled agriculture, animal husbandry, and metallurgy. This period is associated with the southward migration of Bantu-speaking peoples.
Early Iron Age: Communities of this era built settlements along important river systems, raised cattle, sheep, and goats, and cultivated crops like millet and sorghum. They were expert iron smelters and potters who created ornaments, tools and weapons. Distinct pottery styles found at archaeological sites from this era aid in tracing the migrations and cultural ties of these early farming communities.[15]
Middle Iron Age: This period witnessed increased social complexity, larger settlements, and the development of regional trade networks. Limpopo became a crucial area for the emergingGold andIvory trade routes extending to theEast African coast.[16]
TheLimpopo River valley was the heartland of the Mapungubwe Kingdom, representing the earliest known state-level society in Southern Africa. It's strategic location at the confluence of the Limpopo andShashe River placed it at the nexus of major trade routes connecting the interior with theIndian Ocean coast. The rise of Mapungubwe, marks a pivotal moment in Southern African history. It's development was a culmination of increasing social complexity and economic activity in the Limpopo River Valley, building upon earlier settlements like Schroda (c. AD 900-1000) and K2 (Bambandyanalo) (c. AD 1000-1220).
One of Mapungubwe's defining features was its rigid social hierarchy. The ruling elite lived atop Mapungubwe Hill, physically and symbolically separated from commoners in the valley below - reflecting a codified system of sacred kingship and centralised control of resources.[17]
The Kingdom thrived as a trading hub, exporting gold and ivory in exchange for exotic goods. This economy was underpinned by robust agriculture, including the cultivation ofSorghum andMillet and livestock farming, which supported population growth.
Archaeological discoveries confirm Mapungubwe's wealth and social complexity. Key artefacts include:
Sundown over one of the mountain ranges found in Limpopo.
Limpopo Province shares international borders with districts and provinces of three countries:Botswana'sCentral andKgatleng districts to the west and northwest respectively,Zimbabwe'sMatabeleland South andMasvingo provinces to the north and northeast respectively, andMozambique'sGaza Province to the east.[18] Limpopo is the link between South Africa and countries further afield insub-Saharan Africa. On its southern edge, from east to west, it shares borders with the South African provinces ofMpumalanga,Gauteng, andNorth West. Its border with Gauteng includes that province'sJohannesburg-Pretoria axis, the most industrialised metropolis on the continent. The province is central to regional, national, and international developing markets.
Limpopo contains much of theWaterberg Biosphere, amassif of approximately 15,000 km2 (5,800 sq mi) which is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named a UNESCOBiosphere Reserve.[19]
The northern portion of the most well-known game reserve in South Africa, theKruger National Park, is located in the province. This includes famous gates likePafuri and Punda Maria. This area is renowned for its distinctive landscapes which include a greater density ofBaobab trees andfever tree forests alongside theLevubu River. It is an important component of the greaterGreat Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a vast conservation area that connects Zimbabwean and Mozambican national parks with Kruger.[20]
The far northern region is home to theSoutpansberg mountain range. A sizeable natural salt pan at its western end is the source of its name which translates to "Salt Pan Mountain" in Afrikaans. The range, which stretches roughly 107 kilometres (66 mi) from east to west, is a prominent feature of the area. In addition to being home to many plant and animal species that are unique to Earth, it is a recognised hotspot for biodiversity (Vhembe Biosphere Reserve) and has great cultural significance.[21][22]
It is a naturally occurringevergreensubtropicalforest that covers a verdant mountainous region. Before being conquered byAfrikaners, the small kingdom of Makgoba existed in this region. The Debengeni (Dibekeni) waterfalls, Magoebaskloofdam, and numerous forest hiking trails are just a few of the natural wonders that make Magoebaskloof a popular tourist destination today.
Man and his donkeys collecting wood in a rural area
Limpopo has a total population of 6.015 million with 1.641 million households.[24] The province has a relatively high Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.710, which is the third highest in South Africa.
The bushveld isbeef cattle country, where extensive ranching operations are often supplemented by controlled hunting. About 80% of South Africa'sgame hunting industry is in Limpopo.
Most Limpopo residents live in rural areas; this has led to a new phenomenon of rural development, where the residents have invested in building lavish homes on their tribal land. Limpopo rural houses have been profiled by TV channels, lifestyle vloggers, social media influencers, and Africa's biggest facts brand, Africa Facts Zone. According to[24] 96.2% of Limpopo live in formal housing, above the national average of 84.0%. This makes Limpopo the province with the highest percentage of people living in formal housing in South Africa.
Ajoite inquartz, from the Messina mine, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Scale at bottom is one inch, with a rule at one cm.[citation needed]
Limpopo's rich mineral deposits include the platinum group metals, iron ore, chromium, high- and middle-gradecoking coal, diamonds,antimony,phosphate, and copper, as well as mineral reserves like gold, emeralds,scheelite,magnetite,vermiculite,silicon, andmica. Commodities such asblack granite,corundum, andfeldspar are also found. Mining contributes to over a fifth of the provincial economy.
The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has targeted the province as a preferredeco-tourism destination. Its Environment and Tourism Programme encompasses tourism, protected areas, and community environment development to achieve sustainable economic growth.[29]
While Limpopo is one of South Africa's poorest provinces, it is rich in wildlife, which gives it an advantage in attracting tourists. Both the private and public sectors are investing in tourism development.[30]
NearModjadjiskloof, atSunland Baobab farms, there is a large Baobab tree which has been fashioned into a relatively spacious pub.[31]
The province has excellent road, rail, and air links. The N1 route fromJohannesburg, which extends the length of the province, is the busiest overland route in Africa in terms of cross-border trade in raw materials and beneficiated goods.[citation needed] The port ofDurban, South Africa's busiest, is served directly[clarification needed] by the province, as are the ports ofRichards Bay andMaputo.Polokwane International Airport is situated just north ofPolokwane. Limpopo province contains approximately 56 airports and airstrips.[32]
The Department of Education is responsible for effecting quality education and training for all. The Department has to coordinate all professional development and support. Policies, systems, and procedures had to be developed.[citation needed]
As of December 2020, 12.9% of the Limpopo population had attained some post-school qualifications.[24] The following higher education institutions are found in Limpopo:
The population of Limpopo consists of several ethnic groups distinguished by culture, language, and race. 97.3% of the population isBlack, 2.4% isWhite, 0.2% isColoured, and 0.1% isIndian/Asian. The province has the smallest percentage and second smallest total number ofWhite South Africans in the country. However, there are several localities with a White majority, notablyHoedspruit andModimolle. It also has the highest Black percentage out of all the provinces.
ThePedi comprise the largest percentage of the population, 52% of the province. TheTsonga people comprise about 24.0% of the province; the Tsonga also comprise about 11.5% ofMpumalanga province since the southern part of their homeland,Gazankulu, was cut off from Limpopo and allocated to Mpumalanga. TheVenda make up about 16.7%.Afrikaners make up the majority of Limpopo's White population, about 95,000 people;English-speaking Whites number just over 20,000.Vhembe district has the smallest share of White people in Limpopo, about 5,000 total. In contrast, theWaterberg district has the largest share of Whites, with more than 60,000 Whites residing there.Coloureds andAsians/Indians make up a tiny percentage of the province's total population.
At 18.5% (2007), Limpopo has a relatively high incidence ofHIV compared to other South African provinces. Cases rose from 14.5% to 21.5% between 2001 and 2005, with a slight fall between 2005 and 2007.[41] However, as at 2019, the Limpopo province HIV stats sat at (13.2%) which is one of the lowest in comparison with other provinces in South Africa.[42]
^C. Michael Hogan, Mark L. Cooke and Helen Murray,The Waterberg Biosphere, Lumina Technologies, 22 May 2006."Lumaw". Archived fromthe original on 24 March 2007. Retrieved23 December 2006.
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