Limpopo

Lying within the curve of the Limpopo River, known as the great north and the only region in South Africa that is tropical, we find Limpopo province.

Limpopo is the northernmost province, the fifth largest of the country’s nine provinces. It is the gateway to Sub Saharan with its shared boarders with Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Limpopo take’s up 10.25% of the country’s total land area. It has a population of over 5.4 million, constituting 11.7% of the country’s total population. According to ASSA a high proportion 52.2% of the province’s population are females with the female predominance being the adults. The main language is Sepedi which is spoken by more than half of the Limpopo population with a 52.9% followed by Xitsonga with 17% and Tshivenda with 16.7%.

Limpopo consists of 5 District municipalities which are divided into twenty five local municipals. The executive Mayor, councillor is Leswafo Joshua Matlou. Capital of Limpopo is Polokwane, one of the fastest growing cities in the Southern hemisphere. Polokwane offers a wide range of outdoor adventures and is best known for its warm climate and friendly people.

Popularly known as the ‘Garden of South Africa’, Limpopo produces an impressive majority of South Africa’s mangoes, papayas, avocado’s, tomatoes, litchis, pineapples, paw paws including a variety of nuts. Limpopo is an area of mixed grassland and tress, wilderness, patchworks of farmland and because of these factors it has earned a name of its own ‘a region of contrast’. Mining is a major aspect in Limpopo as it contributes more than a fifth of the provincial economy. Not only is Limpopo famously known for its best variety of fruits but also its richness in metals, iron, ore, diamonds, emerald and mica.

Limpopo is rich in natural beauty, culture, wildlife and sunshine with a maximum of 54 provincial reserves and several luxury game reserves. Its home to Mapungubwe Culture Landscape which is one of South Africa’s eight world heritage sites, this is also where gold and irony was once traded with China, India and Egypt. This is the province where you find half of the world’s longest and largest wildlife reserves, the Kruger National Park. As if that’s not enough, other attractions include the relics of the Stone Age San, Soutpansberg Range, the Baobad tree which is believed to be over 300 years old, Valley of the Oilifants, Modjadji Cycan Reserve, the hot springs in bela bela, Waterberg, the most significant lands mark Capricon and Phalaborwa, home of Amarula cream, the country’s most popular liqueur. Limpopo is also home to the Zion City at Moria.

What would a province be without its famous people and I have to admit Limpopo has some of the coolest celebrities among them are TV personality Lerato Kganyago, Former Miss South Africa Bokang Montjane, Professional golfer Zetief Goosen and the Leader of the EFF Julius Malema.

For all things adventures, Limpopo is definitely the place to visit. If it’s anything to go by, best be assured you will have a jol. I might as well take a short left to Limpopo!