Are you looking to find out the states or provinces in South Africa and their capital? In this article, I will be discussing with you the states and provinces in South, their major cities and everything about one by one.
In South Africa, states is known as provinces. Hence, if we ask how many provinces are in South Africa, we are indirectly talking about the sates in South Africa. However, there are nine (9) different provinces/states in South Africa each containing their famous cities, languages and capital or headquarter.
Provinces in South Africa
South Africa is one of the largest countries in African continent headquartered in Cape Town with an estimated population of 61.31 million as of 2021 according to World Bank.
There are currently nine (9) provinces (states) in South Africa. The nine provinces in South Africa are Eastern Cape, the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Northern Cape, North West and the Western Cape.
The provinces in South Africa and their capital city are shown in the list below:
KEY: Province Name | Province Capital.
- Eastern Cape | Bhisho.
- Free State | Bloemfontein.
- Gauteng | Johannesburg.
- KwaZulu-Natal | Pietermaritzburg.
- Limpopo | Polokwane.
- Mpumalanga | Mbombela.
- Northern Cape | Kimberley.
- North West | Mahikeng.
- Western Cape | Cape Town.
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Provinces in South Africa and their population
Being one of the largest countries in Africa, South Africa has a population estimated at 61 million according to World Bank as of 2021. The largest state or province in South Africa is Northern Cape which is headquartered in Kimberley having a land area of 372,889 square kilometres. In 2021, according to the South African national population census, the population of Northern Cape alone was 1 292 786.
Provinces in South Africa with their respective land area, number of population, capital and their population share in percentage are shown in the list below:
Key: Provine Name | Land Area | Population | Population Share.
- Gauteng | 18,178 square kilometres (1.5% of total) | 2.473 million.
- Mpumalanga | 76,495 square kilometres (6.3%) | 4,743,584.
- KwaZulu-Natal | 94,361 square kilometres (7.7%) | 11.1 million.
- North West | 104,882 square kilometres (8.6%) | 7,052,000.
- Limpopo | 125,755 square kilometres (10.3%) | 5,926,724.
- Western Cape | 129,462 square kilometres (10.6%) | 7,113,776.
- Free State | 129,825 square kilometres (10.6%) | 2,834,714.
- Eastern Cape | 168,966 square kilometres (13.8%) | 6,676,590.
- Northern Cape | 372,889 square kilometres (30.5%) | 1,303,047.
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South African provinces and their major cities
List and more information about nine provinces in South Africa such as their major cities, population, etc. are discussed below one by one.
#1. Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is the number one province in South Africa lying on the south-eastern South African coast. It is a province of great natural beauty, particularly the rugged cliffs, rough seas and dense green bush of the stretch known as the Wild Coast. In the Eastern Cape, various floral habitats meet. Along the coast, the northern tropical forests intermingle with the more temperate woods of the south.
The province is serviced by airports situated in Port Elizabeth, East London, Mthatha and Bhisho.
| Capital | Bhisho |
| Principal languages | isiXhosa |
| Afrikaans | |
| English | |
| Population | 6 734 001 |
| Share of total population | 11,3% |
| Area (km2) | 168 966 |
#2. Free State
The Free State is a province of wide horizons and blue skies, farmland, mountains, goldfields and widely dispersed towns, lies in the heart of South Africa.
Between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south, this immense rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye can see.
Mining, particularly gold, is the biggest employer, followed by manufacturing.
The Free State also produces high-quality diamonds from its kimberlite pipes and fissures, and the country’s largest deposit of bentonite is found in the Koppies district.
The National Development Plan has intensified the mining potential that still exists in the goldfields region of Matjhabeng in the Lejweleputswa District as a job intervention zone.
The capital, Bloemfontein, houses the Supreme Court of Appeal, a leading university and some top schools. Important towns include Welkom, Sasolburg, Odendaalsrus, Kroonstad, Parys, Phuthaditjhaba, Bethlehem.
The charming village of Clarens situated in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Some of South Africa’s most valued San rock art can be found in the Free State.
Other key tourist attractions in the province include the majestic Golden Gate National Park, the annual air show in Bethlehem, the Cherry Festival in Ficksburg, and the Fauresmith International Endurance Ride equestrian event.
The annual Mangaung African Cultural Festival, known as Macufe, is hosted in partnership with the Tourism Authority and the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State.
The Vredefort Dome, 10 km in diameter, is on the United Nations’ (UN) World Heritage Site List.
| Capital | Bloemfontein |
| Principal languages | Sesotho |
| Afrikaans | |
| isiXhosa | |
| Population | 2 928 903 |
| Share of total population | 4,9% |
| Area (km2) | 129 825 |
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#3. Gauteng
Gauteng is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces but comprises the largest share of the South African population. Financial and business services, logistics, manufacturing, property, telecommunications and trade are some of the most important economic sectors.
The province is an integrated industrial complex with major areas of economic activity in three subregional areas, namely the Vaal Triangle; the East, West and Central Rand, and Pretoria.
Johannesburg houses the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited, the largest securities exchange in Africa.
Most overseas visitors enter South Africa via OR Tambo International Airport(link is external). Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and home to the Union Buildings.
Johannesburg is not the headquarter of South Africa but it is a capital of Gauteng, one of the provinces in South Africa. Please chech the table below for more info.
| Capital | Johannesburg |
| Principal languages | isiZulu |
| English | |
| Afrikaans | |
| Sesotho | |
| Population | 15 488 137 |
| Share of total population | 26,0% |
| Area (km2) | 18 178 |
#4. KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is also one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations, is the province with the second largest population. This verdant region includes South Africa’s lush subtropical east coast. Washed by the warm Indian Ocean, it stretches from Port Edward in the south, and northwards to the Mozambique boundary.
In addition to the magnifcent coastline, there is the sweeping savanna in the east, and the majestic Drakensberb mountain range in the west that offers some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.
Within the area is a vast 243 000-hectare sweep of basalt summits and buttresses. This section was formally granted World Heritage status in November 2000, and was renamed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.
Visitors can enter the province through the King Shaka International Airport at La Mercy, north of Durban or use the extensive national road network. There are also two major harbours – the port of Durban, which is one the busiest in Africa, and Richards Bay, which is an important coal-export harbour.
There are several tertiary institutions of learning, such as the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban Institute of Technology.
KwaZulu-Natal is the only province with a monarchy specifically provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.
| Capital | Pietermaritzburg |
| Principal languages | isiZulu |
| English | |
| Afrikaans | |
| Population | 11 531 628 |
| Share of total population | 19,3% |
| Area (km2) | 94 361 |
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#5. Limpopo
Limpopo is the South Africa’s northernmost province, borders onto Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana, making it the ideal entrance to Africa. Named after the Limpopo River that flows along its northern border, the province is rich in wildlife, spectacular scenery and a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.
This province is in the Savanna Biome, an area of mixed grassland and trees, which is generally known as bushveld. The province’s natural resources include more than 50 provincial reserves, as well as several private game reserves. The largest section of the Kruger National Park is situated along the eastern boundary of Limpopo with Mozambique.
| Capital | Polokwane |
| Principal languages | Sepedi |
| Xitsonga | |
| Tshivenda | |
| Population | 5 852 553 |
| Share of total population | 9,9% |
| Area (km2) | 125 755 |
#6. Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga(link is external) means Place where the sun rises. Due to the provinces spectacular scenic beauty and abundance of wildlife, it is one of South Africa’s major tourist destinations. Mpumalanga falls mainly within the Grassland Biome. The escarpment and the Lowveld form a transitional zone between this grassland area and the Savanna Biome.
The area has a network of excellent roads and railway connections, making it highly accessible. Mpumalanga is also served by a number of small airports, such as the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport(link is external).
Mbombela is the capital of the province and the administrative and business centre of the Lowveld. Other important towns are eMalahleni, Standerton, Piet Retief, Malalane, Ermelo, Barberton and Sabie.
Large-scale manufacturing occurs especially in the northern Highveld area, particularly chrome-alloy and steel manufacturing.
The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains were added to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s prestigious World Heritage List in July 2018, becoming the 10th World Heritage Site for South Africa.
The site comprises 40% of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, one of the world’s oldest geological structures. The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains represent the best-preserved succession of volcanic and sedimentary rock dating back 3,25 to 3,6 billion years.
| Capital | Nelspruit |
| Principal languages | siSwati |
| isiZulu | |
| Xitsonga | |
| isiNdebele | |
| Population | 4 679 786 |
| Share of total population | 7,8% |
| Area (km2) | 76 495 |
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#7. Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest province in South Africa covering 31% of the country’s surface area (slightly bigger than Germany). However, the Northern Cape remains the province with the smallest share of the South African population.
The province is noted for its San rock art, diamond diggings, 4X4 safaris and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park(link is external). It is a vast stretch of semi-desert land. The province is renowned for its spectacular display of spring flowers which, for a short period every year, attracts thousands of tourists.
Sutherland hosts the southern hemisphere’s largest astronomical observatory, the multinational-sponsored Southern African Large Telescope. The Northern Cape is one of two sites to host the Square Kilometre Array(link is external) radio-telescope (better known as the SKA Project), the largest and most advanced radio telescope in the world.
Among many other benefits, the province’s tourism and hospitality industry is profiting from the project, as scientists and other interested parties are flooding into the town of Carnarvon. Electrical power generation presents an opportunity for greater economic diversification and growth in the province.
| Capital | Kimberley |
| Principal languages | Afrikaans |
| Setswana | |
| Population | 1 292 786 |
| Share of total population | 2,2% |
| Area (km2) | 372 889 |
#8. North West
North West is another one of the provinces in South Africa which its capital is Mahikeng. It lies in the north of South Africa, on the Botswana border, fringed by the Kalahari desert in the west, Gauteng to the east, and the Free State to the south. Sun City, the Pilanesberg National Park(link is external), the Madikwe Game Reserve(link is external), the Cradle of Humankind Site(link is external), the Taung Heritage Site, the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust and the Lesedi Cultural Village are some of the tourist attractions.
Some of the largest cattle herds in the world are found at Stellaland near Vryburg, which explains why this area is often referred to as the Texas of South Africa. Marico is also cattle country. North West is South Africa’s major producer of white maize. Mining contributes immensely to North West’s economy and the South African mining industry.
It is known as the Platinum Province due to its abundant mineral riches of platinum, chrome and the platinum group metals. It is also home to a strong dimension stone sector, due to the riches of its slate, marble and granite deposits. The Rustenburg and Brits districts produce 94% of the country’s platinum. In addition to granite, marble, fluorspar and diamonds, the province also produces a quarter of South Africa’s gold
| Capital | Mahikeng |
| Principal languages | Setswana |
| Afrikaans | |
| isiXhosa | |
| Population | 4 108 816 |
| Share of total population | 6,9% |
| Area (km2) | 104 882 |
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#9. Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in South Africa known for its floral diversity. It is situated on the south-western tip of Africa, the Western Cape with its wide beaches and breathtaking scenery, complemented by a rich variety of cultures, historical landmarks, world-class restaurants and entertainment, is a world-famous tourist destination.
| Capital | Cape Town |
| Principle languages | Afrikaans |
| isiXhosa | |
| English | |
| Population | 7 005 741 |
| Share of the total population | 11,8% |
| Area (km2) | 129 462 |
3 capitals of South Africa
South Africa is divided into three capitals and they are:
- Administrative Capital of South Africa
- Legislative Capital of South Africa and
- Judicial Capital of South Africa.
Conclusion
South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent marked by several distinct ecosystems. Inland safari destination Kruger National Park is populated by big game. The Western Cape offers beaches, lush winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain.
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I hope this article has helped you know all nine provinces in South Africa and their capital? If yes, then share with you any question you may have via the comment section.
