Geography, History and Economy

Area: 2 680km² 
Description: Greater Kokstad Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Harry Gwala District (previously Sisonke District) of KwaZulu-Natal. Kokstad is derived from Dutch, and it means ‘town of Kok'. It was named after Adam Kok III. 

Municipal Profile

Greater Kokstad Municipality (GKM) is part of Harry Gwala District Municipality and is situated in the south-west segment of KwaZulu-Natal. The municipal area is bordered by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality to the north, uMzimkhulu Local Municipality to the east, uMziwabantu Local Municipality to the south-east, uMzimvubu Local Municipality (under the jurisdiction of Eastern Cape) to the south and Matatiele Local Municipality and Lesotho to the west. 

There is a good road network through the area with the national N2 providing the central link to Durban via Port Shepstone in Kwazulu-Natal and Umtata in the Eastern Cape. The R617 connects the urban centres within the municipal area as well as being the gateway to the tourism area along the southern uKhahlamba Drankensburg World Heritage Site. The other major route is the R56 that links Kokstad with Pietermaritzburg via Ixopo.

The land use is predominantly agricultural with indigenous forests and areas of biodiversity. The area have six urban nodes namely; Kokstad town, Bhongweni, Horseshoe, Shayamoya, Franklin and Swartberg. Kokstad is the major economic centre for the area as well as for the neighboring municipalities, especially those situated in the Eastern Cape. 

The population of Kokstad is 80% African followed by small percentages of Coloured, White and Indian respectively.