South Africa is divided into 52 districts (Metropolitan and District municipalities). The 12th amendment to the Consitution (December 2005) reduced this number from 53. Another effect of this amendment is that each district is now completely contained within a province, thus eliminating cross-border districts. The districts also cover the entire area of the continental republic.

Types of district

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The two main types of districts are

• 6 Metropolitan municipalities which act as both district and local municipalities (indicated with an * below). These are also known as Category A municipalities.
• 46 District municipalities which contain more than one local municipality. Also known as Category C municipalities, with their contained Local municipalities known as Category B municipalities.

Districts

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The map shows the 52 districts (with colours indicating provinces).

• Western Cape

1. Cape Town *
2. West Coast
3. Cape Winelands
4. Overberg
5. Eden
6. Central Karoo

• Eastern Cape

7. Nelson Mandela *
8. Cacadu
9. Amatole District Municipality
10. Chris Hani
11. Ukhahlamba
12. OR Thambo
13. Alfred Nzo

• Free State

19. Xhariep
20. Motheo
21. Lejweleputswa
22. Thabo Mofutsanyane
23. Northern Free State

• Northern Cape

19. Namakwa
20. Karoo
21. Siyanda
22. Frances Baard
23. Kgalagadi

• North West

24. Bojanala Platinum
25. Central
26. Bophirima
27. Southern

• Gauteng

28. West Rand
29. Johannesburg *
30. Sedibeng
31. Ekhuruleni *
32. Metsweding
33. Tshwane *

• Limpopo

34. Mopani
35. Vhembe
36. Capricorn
37. Waterberg
38. Sekhukhune

• Mpumalanga

39. Gert Sibande
40. Nkangala
41. Ehlanzeni

• KwaZulu-Natal

42. Amajuba
43. Zululand
44. Umkhanyakude
45. uThungulu
46. Umzinyathi
47. Uthukela
48. Umgungundlovu
49. iLembe
50. eThekwini *
51. Ugu
52. Sisonke

Boundary alignment

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Several projects are underway to align various services with the district boundaries. These include:

• Magisterial districts
• Police wards

Controversy

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South Africa's official opposition, the Democratic Alliance believes that the districts add an unnecessary fourth layer of government (between provinces and municipalities) and has called for their scrapping.

Sources

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Demarcation Board

See also

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• Municipalities of South Africa

Lists of subnational entities | Provinces of South Africa | Municipalities of South Africa

Distriktoj de Sud-Afriko