Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality

Geography, History & Economy

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality is part of Alfred Nzo District Municipality.

MDB code: EC443

Description: The Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality (previously Mbizana Local Municipality) is a Category B municipality situated within the Alfred Nzo District in the Eastern Cape Province. It is one of four municipalities in the district. It is located on the R61 road connecting the KwaZulu-Natal South Coastal Boundary to the N2 highway.
A female-dominated society, the municipality makes efforts to integrate and incorporate women in key decision-making roles within the institution to reflect this demographic. The majority of households in Mbizana are of a rural nature. This results in natural resources providing a strong base for basic survival as those living in rural areas turn to subsistence farming for their livelihoods.
Mbizana prides itself on a cultural diversity that includes a variety of tribes such as the Xhosas, Mpondos, Sothos and Ngunis. However, the population is dominated by the Mpondo tribe, which has its own unique dialect, isiMpondo, a soft mixture of isiXhosa and isiZulu.
The municipality stretches between the Umtamvuna and Mtentu Rivers, with pristine beaches and scenic estuaries. This coastline is part of the famous Wild Coast and Pondoland centre, which boasts valuable flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. It is also home to one of the greatest sons of Africa, Oliver Reginald Tambo, who was a revolutionary leader and the longest-serving ANC president. The municipality was renamed to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality effective on 1 December 2020.

Area: 2 415km²

Cities/Towns: Bizana

Main Economic Sectors: Agriculture, forestry