Most Spoken Language in each

South African Municipality

South Africa
Published: December 2025
Most Spoken Language in each South African Municipality
South African National Census of 2022 by Statistics South Africa Read More

Linguistic heterogeneity defines the South African municipal landscape, where distinct regional aggregations replace a dispersed national uniformity. Afrikaans manifests widespread spatial dominance across the vast western and central territories, creating a stark dichotomy with the eastern regions.


Conversely, the southeastern and eastern coastlines elucidate a dense consolidation of Xhosa and Zulu speakers, respectively. Moving northward, the data delineates a complex stratification of languages including Tswana, Northern Sotho, Venda and Tsonga along the borderlands. Central regions underscore the prominence of Sotho, which clusters tightly around the administrative void marking the sovereignty of Lesotho.

Municipality and Language Data

Municipality
District
Seat
Province
Major Language
Amahlathi Local Municipality Amathole Stutterheim Eastern Cape Xhosa
Blue Crane Route Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Somerset East Eastern Cape Xhosa
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality - East London Eastern Cape Xhosa
Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Chris Hani Ngcobo Eastern Cape Xhosa
Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Graaff-Reinet Eastern Cape Afrikaans
Elundini Local Municipality Joe Gqabi Maclear Eastern Cape Xhosa
Emalahleni Local Municipality Chris Hani Lady Frere Eastern Cape Xhosa
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality Chris Hani Queenstown Eastern Cape Xhosa
Great Kei Local Municipality Amathole Komga Eastern Cape Xhosa
Ingquza Hill Local Municipality OR Tambo Flagstaff Eastern Cape Xhosa
Intsika Yethu Local Municipality Chris Hani Cofimvaba Eastern Cape Xhosa
Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality Chris Hani Cradock Eastern Cape Xhosa
King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality OR Tambo Mthatha Eastern Cape Xhosa
Kou-Kamma Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Kareedouw Eastern Cape Afrikaans
Kouga Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Jeffreys Bay Eastern Cape Afrikaans
Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality OR Tambo Qumbu Eastern Cape Xhosa
Makana Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Grahamstown Eastern Cape Xhosa
Matatiele Local Municipality Alfred Nzo Matatiele Eastern Cape Xhosa
Mbhashe Local Municipality Amathole Dutywa Eastern Cape Xhosa
Mnquma Local Municipality Amathole Gcuwa Eastern Cape Xhosa
Ndlambe Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Port Alfred Eastern Cape Xhosa
Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality - Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape Xhosa
Ngqushwa Local Municipality Amathole Peddie Eastern Cape Xhosa
Ntabankulu Local Municipality Alfred Nzo Ntabankulu Eastern Cape Xhosa
Nyandeni Local Municipality OR Tambo Libode Eastern Cape Xhosa
Port St Johns Local Municipality OR Tambo Port St Johns Eastern Cape Xhosa
Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality Amathole Alice Eastern Cape Xhosa
Sakhisizwe Local Municipality Chris Hani Cala Eastern Cape Xhosa
Senqu Local Municipality Joe Gqabi Lady Grey Eastern Cape Xhosa
Sundays River Valley Local Municipality Sarah Baartman Kirkwood Eastern Cape Xhosa
Umzimvubu Local Municipality Alfred Nzo Mount Frere Eastern Cape Xhosa
Walter Sisulu Local Municipality Joe Gqabi Burgersdorp Eastern Cape Xhosa
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality Alfred Nzo Bizana Eastern Cape Xhosa
Dihlabeng Local Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana Bethlehem Free State Sotho
Kopanong Local Municipality Xhariep Trompsburg Free State Sotho
Letsemeng Local Municipality Xhariep Koffiefontein Free State Afrikaans
Mafube Local Municipality Fezile Dabi Frankfort Free State Sotho
Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana Phuthaditjhaba Free State Sotho
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality - Bloemfontein Free State Sotho
Mantsopa Local Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana Ladybrand Free State Sotho
Masilonyana Local Municipality Lejweleputswa Theunissen Free State Sotho
Matjhabeng Local Municipality Lejweleputswa Welkom Free State Sotho
Metsimaholo Local Municipality Fezile Dabi Sasolburg Free State Sotho
Mohokare Local Municipality Xhariep Zastron Free State Sotho
Moqhaka Local Municipality Fezile Dabi Kroonstad Free State Sotho
Nala Local Municipality Lejweleputswa Bothaville Free State Sotho
Ngwathe Local Municipality Fezile Dabi Parys Free State Sotho
Nketoana Local Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana Reitz Free State Sotho
Phumelela Local Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana Vrede Free State Zulu
Setsoto Local Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana Ficksburg Free State Sotho
Tokologo Local Municipality Lejweleputswa Boshof Free State Tswana
Tswelopele Local Municipality Lejweleputswa Bultfontein Free State Sotho
City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality - Germiston Gauteng Zulu
City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality - Johannesburg Gauteng Zulu
City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality - Pretoria Gauteng Northern Sotho
Emfuleni Local Municipality Sedibeng Vanderbijlpark Gauteng Sotho
Lesedi Local Municipality Sedibeng Heidelberg Gauteng Zulu
Merafong City Local Municipality West Rand Carletonville Gauteng Xhosa
Midvaal Local Municipality Sedibeng Meyerton Gauteng Afrikaans
Mogale City Local Municipality West Rand Krugersdorp Gauteng Tswana
Rand West City Local Municipality West Rand Randfontein Gauteng Tswana
Abaqulusi Local Municipality Zululand Vryheid KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Alfred Duma Local Municipality Uthukela Ladysmith KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Big Five Hlabisa Local Municipality Umkhanyakude Hlabisa KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Dannhauser Local Municipality Amajuba Dannhauser KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality Harry Gwala Creighton KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
eDumbe Local Municipality Zululand Paulpietersburg KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
eMadlangeni Local Municipality Amajuba Utrecht KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Endumeni Local Municipality Umzinyathi Dundee KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality - Durban KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Greater Kokstad Local Municipality Harry Gwala Kokstad KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Impendle Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Impendle KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Uthukela Estcourt KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Johannes Phumani Phungula Local Municipality Harry Gwala Ixopo KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Jozini Local Municipality Umkhanyakude Jozini KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
KwaDukuza Local Municipality iLembe KwaDukuza KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Mandeni Local Municipality iLembe Mandeni KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Maphumulo Local Municipality iLembe Maphumulo KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Mkhambathini Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Camperdown KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Mpofana Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Mooi River KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Msinga Local Municipality Umzinyathi Tugela Ferry KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Msunduzi Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Mthonjaneni Local Municipality King Cetshwayo Melmoth KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Mtubatuba Local Municipality Umkhanyakude Mtubatuba KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Ndwedwe Local Municipality iLembe Ndwedwe KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Newcastle Local Municipality Amajuba Newcastle KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Nkandla Local Municipality King Cetshwayo Nkandla KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Nongoma Local Municipality Zululand Nongoma KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Nqutu Local Municipality Umzinyathi Nquthu KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Okhahlamba Local Municipality Uthukela Bergville KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality Ugu Port Shepstone KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Richmond Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Richmond KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Ulundi Local Municipality Zululand Ulundi KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Umdoni Local Municipality Ugu Scottburgh KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMfolozi Local Municipality King Cetshwayo KwaMbonambi KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality Umkhanyakude Kwangwanase KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMhlathuze Local Municipality King Cetshwayo Richards Bay KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMlalazi Local Municipality King Cetshwayo Eshowe KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMngeni Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Howick KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMshwathi Local Municipality uMgungundlovu Wartburg KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uMuziwabantu Local Municipality Ugu Harding KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Umvoti Local Municipality Umzinyathi Greytown KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Umzimkhulu Local Municipality Harry Gwala Umzimkhulu KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Umzumbe Local Municipality Ugu Mtwalume KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
uPhongolo Local Municipality Zululand Pongola KwaZulu-Natal Zulu
Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality Mopani Phalaborwa Limpopo Sotho
Bela-Bela Local Municipality Waterberg Bela-Bela Limpopo Northern Sotho
Blouberg Local Municipality Capricorn Senwabarwana Limpopo Northern Sotho
Collins Chabane Local Municipality Vhembe Malamulele Limpopo Tsonga
Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Sekhukhune Groblersdal Limpopo Northern Sotho
Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality Sekhukhune Marble Hall Limpopo Northern Sotho
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality Sekhukhune Apel Limpopo Northern Sotho
Greater Giyani Local Municipality Mopani Giyani Limpopo Tsonga
Greater Letaba Local Municipality Mopani Modjadjiskloof Limpopo Northern Sotho
Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality Mopani Tzaneen Limpopo Northern Sotho
Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality Capricorn Chuniespoort Limpopo Northern Sotho
Lephalale Local Municipality Waterberg Lephalale Limpopo Northern Sotho
Makhado Local Municipality Vhembe Louis Trichardt Limpopo Venda
Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality Sekhukhune Jane Furse Limpopo Northern Sotho
Maruleng Local Municipality Mopani Hoedspruit Limpopo Northern Sotho
Modimolle–Mookgophong Local Municipality Waterberg Modimolle Limpopo Northern Sotho
Mogalakwena Local Municipality Waterberg Mokopane Limpopo Northern Sotho
Molemole Local Municipality Capricorn Dendron Limpopo Northern Sotho
Musina Local Municipality Vhembe Musina Limpopo Venda
Polokwane Local Municipality Capricorn Polokwane Limpopo Northern Sotho
Thabazimbi Local Municipality Waterberg Thabazimbi Limpopo Tswana
Thulamela Local Municipality Vhembe Thohoyandou Limpopo Venda
Albert Luthuli Local Municipality Gert Sibande Carolina Mpumalanga Swazi
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Ehlanzeni Bushbuckridge Mpumalanga Tsonga
Dipaleseng Local Municipality Gert Sibande Balfour Mpumalanga Zulu
Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality Nkangala Siyabuswa Mpumalanga Southern Ndebele
Emakhazeni Local Municipality Nkangala Belfast Mpumalanga Swazi
Emalahleni Local Municipality Nkangala eMalahleni Mpumalanga Zulu
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality Gert Sibande Secunda Mpumalanga Zulu
Lekwa Local Municipality Gert Sibande Standerton Mpumalanga Zulu
Mbombela Local Municipality Ehlanzeni Nelspruit Mpumalanga Swazi
Mkhondo Local Municipality Gert Sibande Piet Retief Mpumalanga Zulu
Msukaligwa Local Municipality Gert Sibande Ermelo Mpumalanga Zulu
Nkomazi Local Municipality Ehlanzeni Malalane Mpumalanga Swazi
Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality Gert Sibande Volksrust Mpumalanga Zulu
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Nkangala Middelburg Mpumalanga Zulu
Thaba Chweu Local Municipality Ehlanzeni Lydenburg Mpumalanga Northern Sotho
Thembisile Hani Local Municipality Nkangala eMpumalanga Mpumalanga Southern Ndebele
Victor Khanye Local Municipality Nkangala Delmas Mpumalanga Zulu
City of Matlosana Local Municipality Dr Kenneth Kaunda Klerksdorp North West Tswana
Ditsobotla Local Municipality Ngaka Modiri Molema Lichtenburg North West Tswana
Greater Taung Local Municipality Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Taung North West Tswana
JB Marks Local Municipality Dr Kenneth Kaunda Potchefstroom North West Tswana
Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Ganyesa North West Tswana
Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality Bojanala Koster North West Tswana
Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Christiana North West Tswana
Madibeng Local Municipality Bojanala Brits North West Tswana
Mahikeng Local Municipality Ngaka Modiri Molema Mahikeng North West Tswana
Mamusa Local Municipality Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Schweizer-Reneke North West Tswana
Maquassi Hills Local Municipality Dr Kenneth Kaunda Wolmaransstad North West Tswana
Moretele Local Municipality Bojanala Makapanstad North West Tswana
Moses Kotane Local Municipality Bojanala Mogwase North West Tswana
Naledi Local Municipality Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Vryburg North West Tswana
Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality Ngaka Modiri Molema Zeerust North West Tswana
Ratlou Local Municipality Ngaka Modiri Molema Setlagole North West Tswana
Rustenburg Local Municipality Bojanala Rustenburg North West Tswana
Tswaing Local Municipality Ngaka Modiri Molema Delareyville North West Tswana
!Kheis Local Municipality ZF Mgcawu Groblershoop Northern Cape Afrikaans
Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality ZF Mgcawu Upington Northern Cape Afrikaans
Dikgatlong Local Municipality Frances Baard Barkly West Northern Cape Tswana
Emthanjeni Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme De Aar Northern Cape Afrikaans
Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality John Taolo Gaetsewe Kuruman Northern Cape Tswana
Gamagara Local Municipality John Taolo Gaetsewe Kathu Northern Cape Afrikaans
Hantam Local Municipality Namakwa Calvinia Northern Cape Afrikaans
Joe Morolong Local Municipality John Taolo Gaetsewe Mothibistad Northern Cape Tswana
Kai !Garib Local Municipality ZF Mgcawu Kakamas Northern Cape Afrikaans
Kamiesberg Local Municipality Namakwa Garies Northern Cape Afrikaans
Kareeberg Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Carnarvon Northern Cape Afrikaans
Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality Namakwa Williston Northern Cape Afrikaans
Kgatelopele Local Municipality ZF Mgcawu Daniëlskuil Northern Cape Afrikaans
Khâi-Ma Local Municipality Namakwa Pofadder Northern Cape Afrikaans
Magareng Local Municipality Frances Baard Warrenton Northern Cape Tswana
Nama Khoi Local Municipality Namakwa Springbok Northern Cape Afrikaans
Phokwane Local Municipality Frances Baard Hartswater Northern Cape Tswana
Renosterberg Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Petrusville Northern Cape Afrikaans
Richtersveld Local Municipality Namakwa Port Nolloth Northern Cape Afrikaans
Siyancuma Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Douglas Northern Cape Afrikaans
Siyathemba Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Prieska Northern Cape Afrikaans
Sol Plaatje Local Municipality Frances Baard Kimberley Northern Cape Afrikaans
Thembelihle Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Hopetown Northern Cape Afrikaans
Tsantsabane Local Municipality ZF Mgcawu Postmasburg Northern Cape Afrikaans
Ubuntu Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Victoria West Northern Cape Afrikaans
Umsobomvu Local Municipality Pixley ka Seme Colesberg Northern Cape Xhosa
Beaufort West Local Municipality Central Karoo Beaufort West Western Cape Afrikaans
Bergrivier Local Municipality West Coast Piketberg Western Cape Afrikaans
Bitou Local Municipality Garden Route Plettenberg Bay Western Cape Afrikaans
Breede Valley Local Municipality Cape Winelands Worcester Western Cape Afrikaans
Cape Agulhas Local Municipality Overberg Bredasdorp Western Cape Afrikaans
Cederberg Local Municipality West Coast Clanwilliam Western Cape Afrikaans
City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality - Cape Town Western Cape Afrikaans
Drakenstein Local Municipality Cape Winelands Paarl Western Cape Afrikaans
George Local Municipality Garden Route George Western Cape Afrikaans
Hessequa Local Municipality Garden Route Riversdale Western Cape Afrikaans
Kannaland Local Municipality Garden Route Ladismith Western Cape Afrikaans
Knysna Local Municipality Garden Route Knysna Western Cape Afrikaans
Laingsburg Local Municipality Central Karoo Laingsburg Western Cape Afrikaans
Langeberg Local Municipality Cape Winelands Ashton Western Cape Afrikaans
Matzikama Local Municipality West Coast Vredendal Western Cape Afrikaans
Mossel Bay Local Municipality Garden Route Mossel Bay Western Cape Afrikaans
Oudtshoorn Local Municipality Garden Route Oudtshoorn Western Cape Afrikaans
Overstrand Local Municipality Overberg Hermanus Western Cape Afrikaans
Prince Albert Local Municipality Central Karoo Prince Albert Western Cape Afrikaans
Saldanha Bay Local Municipality West Coast Vredenburg Western Cape Afrikaans
Stellenbosch Local Municipality Cape Winelands Stellenbosch Western Cape Afrikaans
Swartland Local Municipality West Coast Malmesbury Western Cape Afrikaans
Swellendam Local Municipality Overberg Swellendam Western Cape Afrikaans
Theewaterskloof Local Municipality Overberg Caledon Western Cape Afrikaans
Witzenberg Local Municipality Cape Winelands Ceres Western Cape Afrikaans