1.2.1Climate
The district has an annual average temperature of 20 degrees celcius, an average summer temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and average minimum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius. Rainfall occurs in summer with annual ranges of between 450 mm and 550 mm. An annual rainfall variation is around 35% except during drought periods when the total is reduced quite significantly. Thus the climate of the district is described as having very hot summers and mild winters with temperatures rarely falling below freezing point as indicated in the District Development Plan 5.
1.2.2Geomorphology
Kgatleng District is described as having generally flat and undulating topography with small and low hill ranges and occasional rocky outcrops and several extensive drainage channel systems. There exist the Oodi Hill, Modipane Hill and a range of low hills from Bokaa towards Mochudi. The drainage system includes the Notwane and Metsimotlhabe rivers and Tlhagale and Monametsana streams that flow into the Notwane River until it reaches the Limpopo River.
1.2.3Natural Resources 1.2.3.1Vegetation
Generally as described in a vegetation map compiled by Timberlake (1980), Kgatleng District is dominated by a shrub and tree savanna with areas of woodland, mainly on hills and along drainage lines. As a result of human related influences the vegetation has changed considerably since the last century. The effects of drought have also caught up with this state of affairs hence overgrazing and deforestation, even more heavily around the borehole areas.
1.2.3.2Soils
Briefly Kgatleng has soils that can best be described in terms of land systems within which are district land units. The first, Mochudi land system is a narrow strip stretching from Molepolole eastwards towards Mochudi. Such soils are shallow and stony with low agricultural yields/potential.
The second system is the Notwane Plain system, which straddles the Notwane River. Such soils are deep light textured and acidic.
The third system is the Thagale Plain land system, which is bordered to the north by the Kalahari land link to land use system and the Mochudi hills to the south. The soils are sandy of various colours and are also loamy sub-soils.
1.2.3.3Wildlife
The types of wildlife species found in Kgatleng district, according to the 1994 census, are Kudu, Impala, Ostriches, Duiker, Steenbok, Jackal, Zebra and Giraffe.
1.2.3.4Minerals
There are quarrying of building and road construction materials in most parts of the district. Generally this is an uncontrolled and unregulated activity due to the absence of relevant byelaws. The end result is the abandoned quarries and borrow pits, which are, left unrehabilitated.
1.2.3.5Water
The district relies on underground and surface water for both human and livestock consumption. There is the Bokaa dam in the district. The district is also connected to the North South Carrier water pipeline. In some parts of the district there is a problem of water quality especially in the River villages. A study was commissioned to find the best ways of improving the water quality. The cost of purifying water supersedes the benefits to be derived, therefore a bi-lateral arrangement has been made to draw water from Molatedi Dam in South Africa to supplement the existing sources in the district.
1.2.3.6Energy
The main source of energy for cooking, lighting and heating is fuel wood for most households in the district. There exists potential for solar energy.
1.3District Social Development 1.3.1Socio - Cultural Characteristics
The district is predominantly Bakgatla ba ga Kgafela. There are, however, some other ethnic groups in the district. These are Balete in Modipane, Batlokwa in Oodi, Baherero in Pilane and Bapedi in Leshibitse.
1.3.2Population Characteristics, Density and Distribution
The 2001 Population and Housing Census enumerated 73 507 people in the whole district. The total number of males in the district is 35 734 and that of females is 37 773. This is shown on table 2 and the population pyramid below. The number of female-headed household is 37745 while that of the male-headed household is 35752. Thus 51.3 percentage of the household headed by females. The national figure for female-headed household is 51.1 percent.
Table 1.2 Kgatleng: Age-Sex Population Structure
Age
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
0-4
|
4,286
|
4,042
|
8,328
|
5-9
|
4,517
|
4,524
|
9,041
|
10-14
|
4,777
|
4,518
|
9,295
|
15-19
|
4,371
|
4,330
|
8,701
|
20-24
|
3,329
|
3,589
|
6,918
|
25-29
|
2,820
|
3,075
|
5,895
|
30-34
|
2,072
|
2,397
|
4,469
|
35-39
|
1,800
|
2,013
|
3,813
|
40-44
|
1,543
|
1,826
|
3,369
|
45-49
|
1,352
|
1,586
|
2,938
|
50-54
|
1,066
|
1,171
|
2,237
|
55-59
|
809
|
962
|
1,771
|
60-64
|
725
|
828
|
1,553
|
65-69
|
682
|
926
|
1,608
|
70-74
|
485
|
619
|
1,104
|
75+
|
916
|
1,343
|
2,259
|
Unknown
|
184
|
24
|
208
|
Total
|
35,734
|
37,773
|
73,507
|
Figure 1.1 Age Sex Population Pyramid
Source: CSO, 2001
Table 1.3 Kgatleng Population Distribution per Settlement
-
Kgatleng: Population distribution per Settlement/village. 1971-2001
|
Villages/Settlement
|
Pop.
1971
|
Pop.
1981
|
Pop.
1991
|
Pop.
2001
|
Mochudi
|
6945
|
18386
|
25542
|
39 349
|
Pilane
|
-
|
420
|
540
|
1178
|
Rasesa
|
121
|
879
|
1366
|
2968
|
Bokaa
|
916
|
2018
|
2420
|
4456
|
Morwa
|
965
|
1337
|
1748
|
2755
|
Matebele
|
513
|
564
|
599
|
1458
|
Oodi
|
630
|
1599
|
2282
|
3550
|
Modipane
|
698
|
1220
|
1809
|
2508
|
Mabalane
|
423
|
681
|
827
|
895
|
Sikwane
|
1035
|
1090
|
1216
|
1585
|
Mmathubudukwane
|
1305
|
1754
|
1943
|
2124
|
Ramonaka
|
114
|
275
|
388
|
518
|
Malolwane
|
931
|
1360
|
1604
|
3084
|
Olifants-drift
|
386
|
323
|
378
|
1184
|
Artesia
|
517
|
566
|
885
|
2589
|
Malotwana
|
|
|
|
504
|
Leshibitse
|
|
|
|
653
|
Ramotlabaki
|
|
|
|
640
|
Kgomodiatshaba
|
|
|
|
508
|
Dikgonnye
|
|
|
|
360
|
Khurutshe
|
|
|
|
52
|
Dikwididi
|
|
|
|
591
|
Source : CSO (2001 Population and Housing Census)
According to the Kgatleng District Settlement Strategy 1999-2023 pg.1 the population density for Kgatleng in 1991 was 7.6 persons per km2 and the growth rate for the 1981-1991 period was 2.0% per annum, with a population of 73057 and an area of 7600 km2 the District Population density is approximately 9.2 persons per km2.
1.3.3Migration
Nearly all the villages and settlements in the district have had their population increasing. The population for Mochudi was 25542 in 1991 and that of 2001 is 39349, which is an increase by almost half. The same is true for the other major centres in the district like Bokaa, Pilane, Rasesa, Matebele, Malolwane, Olifantsdrift and Artesia. According to the 2001 Population and Housing Census, total migration into Kgatleng district from other districts is 18 334, with the largest number (3558) coming from Gaborone, followed by Kweneng with 986 people.
The within and into the district migration can be attributed to improvements in infrastructure and services especially in major centres, which has had the effect of attracting investment and creating opportunities for cash employment. The decline in agricultural productivity has also seen people abandoning lands areas to seek alternative economic activities in major centres.
1.3.4Population Projections and Prospects:
The population of Kgatleng District is expected to continue growing as can be seen from table 4. The national population projection of 2.4 percent per annum has been used to compute the same for Kgatleng District. The prospects for future growth are promising, especially given the tremendous improvements in health care delivery systems, life expectancy levels, a rise in educational standards and levels and improvements in infrastructure and services.
However, the major setback is the impact of the HIV-AIDS pandemic on both population growth and life expectancy. This not withstanding, the efforts put in place to fight the pandemic are expected to bear fruit within the DDP 6 plan period, with a resultant improvement for both population growth and life expectancy levels.
Table 1.4 Population Projections and Prospects
|
Actual
Pop. 2001
|
POPULATION PROJECTIONS BY YEAR
|
Village
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
Primary Centre
|
Mochudi
|
39349
|
40236
|
41192
|
42180
|
43192
|
45228
|
Bokaa
|
4456
|
4563
|
4563
|
4785
|
4900
|
5018
|
Oodi
|
3550
|
3635
|
3722
|
3811
|
3902
|
3995
|
Mathubudukwane
|
2124
|
2175
|
2227
|
2278
|
2344
|
2400
|
Modipane
|
2508
|
2568
|
2630
|
2693
|
2758
|
2825
|
Morwa
|
2755
|
2821
|
2888
|
2953
|
3028
|
3101
|
Malolwane
|
3084
|
3158
|
3234
|
3311
|
3390
|
3470
|
Sikwane
|
1516
|
1564
|
1602
|
1640
|
1679
|
1719
|
Mabalane
|
895
|
906
|
927
|
949
|
972
|
1005
|
Rasesa
|
2986
|
3058
|
3131
|
3209
|
3282
|
3361
|
Pilane
|
1176
|
1206
|
1235
|
1265
|
1295
|
1326
|
Matebele
|
1458
|
1493
|
1529
|
1566
|
1602
|
1640
|
Ramonaka
|
518
|
530
|
542
|
555
|
568
|
581
|
Oliphantsdrift
|
758
|
776
|
795
|
831
|
851
|
871
|
Artesia
|
2589
|
3651
|
2715
|
2780
|
2847
|
2915
|
Malotwana
|
504
|
516
|
523
|
535
|
548
|
561
|
Leshibitse
|
653
|
670
|
686
|
702
|
719
|
736
|
Ramotlabaki
|
640
|
655
|
672
|
688
|
706
|
723
|
Kgomodiatshaba
|
508
|
520
|
532
|
545
|
558
|
571
|
Dikgonnye
|
360
|
446
|
457
|
468
|
479
|
490
|
Khurutshe
|
52
|
53
|
54
|
55
|
56
|
57
|
Dikwididi
|
591
|
605
|
619
|
637
|
652
|
678
|
|
73 507
|
|
|
|
|
82736
|
Source: Kgatleng District, Planning Unit
1.3.5Employment and Unemployment
According to the 2002 Central Statistics Office multiple indicator survey, the economically active population in Kgatleng District was 27 550. Those who were employed or involved in an economic activity were 22 032, while those without any form of employment were 5518. This translates to a 20 percent rate of unemployment for the district.
However, with the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) in place and the envisaged start of the National Agricultural Master Plan for Arable Agriculture and Dairy Development (NAMPAADD), it is expected that the rate of unemployment will be reduced within the plan period.
Table 1.5 Economically Active Population (Employed and Unemployed)
Economic Activity
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Paid employees
Self Help without employees
Self Help with employees
Unpaid family helper
Work at own lands
Total employed
Unemployed
|
8383
730
428
88
2997
|
7244
637
293
179
1053
|
15627
1367
721
267
4050
|
3386
|
2132
|
22 032
|
5518
|
Source: Central Statistics Office Multiple Indicator Survey 2002.
1.3.6District HIV/AIDS Prevalence Status
The most affected age groups in the district are between 15 and 44 years, with the worst affected at around 24 to 39 years as can be reflected from table 6. It is also worth noting that all the age groups are affected. Also worthy of noting is that the prevalence rate is high among females than males.
However, it is reported by the District Health Team that the data as reflected on Table 6 below shows the number of patients that visited the health care facilities in the district (which may not be a true reflection of the district situation). It is estimated that more than 10 000 people are infected. In June 2002 alone, 80 people were tested for HIV and 42 were found to be positive, which is more than 50 percent.
Table 1.6 Cumulative Figures for HIV/AIDS 1987-June 2002
Age
|
Female
|
Male
|
Total
|
Percentage
|
0-4
|
81
|
87
|
168
|
12.5
|
5-14
|
13
|
18
|
31
|
1.6
|
15-19
|
78
|
3
|
81
|
4.2
|
20-24
|
253
|
45
|
29
|
15.3
|
25-29
|
276
|
115
|
391
|
20.1
|
30-34
|
2
|
129
|
339
|
17.5
|
35-39
|
135
|
101
|
236
|
12.2
|
40-44
|
67
|
75
|
142
|
7.3
|
45-49
|
28
|
44
|
72
|
3.7
|
50-54
|
23
|
24
|
47
|
2.4
|
55-59
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
0.5
|
60+
|
9
|
21
|
30
|
1.5
|
Unknown age
|
62
|
36
|
98
|
5.0
|
Totals
|
1241
|
701
|
1942
|
|
Source – District Health Team (Kgatleng District Council) 2002
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