Swellendam | ||
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Local municipality | ||
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Location in the Western Cape |
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Coordinates: 34°00′S 20°30′E / 34.000°S 20.500°ECoordinates: 34°00′S 20°30′E / 34.000°S 20.500°E | ||
Country | South Africa | |
Province | Western Cape | |
District | Overberg | |
Seat | Swellendam | |
Wards | 5 | |
Government | ||
• Type | Municipal council | |
• Mayor | N.G. Myburgh (DA) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 3,835 km2 (1,481 sq mi) | |
Population (2011) | ||
• Total | 35,916 | |
• Density | 9.4/km2 (24/sq mi) | |
Racial makeup (2011) | ||
• Black African | 12.4% | |
• Coloured | 68.8% | |
• Indian/Asian | 0.3% | |
• White | 17.4% | |
First languages (2011) | ||
• Afrikaans | 85.1% | |
• Xhosa | 6.9% | |
• English | 4.7% | |
• Other | 3.3% | |
Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) | |
Municipal code | WC034 |
Swellendam Municipality is a municipality located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. As of 2011[update] it had a population of 35,916. Its municipality code is WC034.
The municipality covers an area of 3,835 square kilometres (1,481 sq mi) around the lower Breede River Valley, from the confluence of the confluence of the Breede River and Sonderend River downstream to the Breede River mouth on the Indian Ocean. It also extends westwards up the Sonderend River and northwards across the Langeberg mountains into the Little Karoo around the Warmwaterberg. The municipality abuts on the Cape Agulhas Municipality to the south, the Theewaterskloof Municipality to the west, the Langeberg Municipality to the northwest, the Kannaland Municipality to the northeast and the Hessequa Municipality to the east.
According to the 2011 census the municipality has a population of 35,916 people in 10,139 households. Of this population, 68.8% describe themselves as "Coloured", 17.4% as "White", and 12.4% as "Black African". The first language of 85.1% of the population is Afrikaans, while 6.9% speak Xhosa and 4.7% speak English.