Mpumalanga
26°S 30°E / 26°S 30°E Mpumalanga (/əmˌpuːməˈlɑːŋɡə/) is a province of South Africa. The name means "East", or literally "The Place Where the Sun Rises" in the Nguni languages. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, bordering Eswatini and Mozambique. It shares borders with the South African provinces of Limpopo to the north, Gauteng to the west, the Free State to the southwest, and KwaZulu-Natal to the south. The capital is Mbombela.[1]
Mpumalanga
iMpumalanga iPumalanga | |
---|---|
Motto: Omnia labor vincit (Labour will conquer all) | |
Country | South Africa |
Established | 27 April 1994 |
Capital | Mbombela |
Districts | |
Government | |
• Type | US$58.2 billion[5] |
Website | www |
Zulu | iMpumalanga |
---|---|
Afrikaans | Mpumalanga |
Sepedi | Mpumalanga |
Swazi | eMpumalanga |
Setswana | Botlhabatsatsi |
Southern Ndebele | iPumalanga |
Mpumalanga was formed in 1994, when the area that was the Eastern Transvaal was merged with the former bantustans KaNgwane, KwaNdebele and parts of Lebowa and Gazankulu. Although the contemporary borders of the province were only formed at the end of apartheid, the region and its surroundings have a history that extends back thousands of years. Much of its history, and current significance is as a region of trade.[6]
History
Precolonial Era
Archeological sites in the Mpumalanga region indicate settlement by humans and their
Evidence from mine shafts and trade goods shows that there was notable industry in tin, copper, gold, iron, ochre, and bronze. The Lydenburg Heads, from around 500 CE, are Africa's oldest Iron Age artworks south of the equator and were found in Mpumalanga.[9] Evidence from a site near Mbombela shows evidence of agricultural societies from between the 6th to 17th century.[10]
Bokoni stone-walled sites on the Mpumalanga highveld are indicative of a large precolonial agropastoral society between ~1500 and 1820 CE.[11][12] These societies became centers of trade, with increasingly large and centralised populations This pattern increased as they connected to the Portuguese trading post in Maputo Bay.[7]
In this era, groups that would become the
Colonial era
In 1845, as part of the Great Trek, the first Dutch-speaking colonial settlers arrived in what they called the eastern Transvaal.[6] The rest of the 19th century in the region was characterised by colonial encroachment and conflict over land and political control. In 1852, the Boers established the South African Republic.[13] The well established Pedi, Swazi and Zulu kingdoms put up significant resistance against the settlers. The Pedi fought wars with the Boers in 1876 (see Sekhukhune Wars) and the Zulu fought with British settlers in 1879 (see Anglo-Zulu War). These interconnected conflicts played a role in shifting the balance of power in southern Africa to colonial control.[6] After 1860, missionaries, especially German missionaries like Alexander Merensky set up mission stations in the region, spreading Christianity and European values.[6]
Just as the region had been a center for trade in the precolonial era, in the colonial era, the Eastern Transvaal region became an important thoroughfare for trade between
Apartheid
When the National Party came to power in 1948, their policy of apartheid intensified the segregation that had defined communities in the Transvaal. Under a policy of forced removals, Black South Africans were evicted from areas reserved for white people and moved into homelands, including KaNgwane, KwaNdebele, Lebowa and Gazankulu.[15] As the apartheid regime implemented oppressive policies that defined almost every aspect of life, activists responded with resistance.
In 1959, the small town of Bethal on what is now the Mpumalanga highveld was the center of the anti-apartheid consumer potato boycott in response to the working conditions Black South African labourers faced on farms in the area.[16] The region was influenced by dynamics in exile and elsewhere in the country, for instance Black Consciousness, the Sharpeville Massacre and the 1976 Soweto Uprisings. In the 1980s, under intense repression, youth and labour organizations moblized against the government and townships and Bantustans erupted in political unrest and violence.[6]
In 1986, an avoidable disaster[
Post-apartheid
The liberation movement turned leading party, the African National Congress (ANC) came into power in Mpumalanga after white minority rule ended. A program of land redistribution, aimed at granting land back to the black communities who were forcibly moved during apartheid, had redistributed tens of thousands of hectares to these communities and their descendants. However, the process has been marked by corruption, controversy and has been seen as inadequate to address the extent of apartheid spatial planning.[17]
In 2001, 1,270 hectares of the Boomplaats farm near Mashishing was the first farm in South Africa to be expropriated.[18]
Geography
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2023) |
The
Some of the oldest rocks on earth have been found in the
age.Mpumalanga is the only South African province to border two
Climate
The Lowveld is
- Mbombela averages: January maximum: 29 °C (min: 19 °C), July maximum: 23 °C (min: 6 °C), annual precipitation: 767 mm
- Belfast averages: January maximum: 23 °C (min: 12 °C), June maximum: 15 °C (min: 1 °C), annual precipitation: 878 mm
With climate change in the province, rainfall is becoming more variable, temperatures and evaporation rates are rising and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. It is predicted that these changes will shift biomes so that most of the province will be savanna.[20]
Ecology
Some of the
Mpumalanga has a high plant and animal diversity. Many species are endemic to the province.
Endemic species
A partial list of species that are endemic to Mpumalanga
- Roust Golden Mole (Amblysomus robustus), a mammal in the golden mole family.[21]
- Treur River Barb (Enteromius treurensis), a river fish.[22]
- Barberton sugarbush (Protea curvata), a protea plant threatened by mining activity.[23]
- Sim's Spotted Aloe (Aloe simii) an aloe threatened by road construction.[24]
- Komati Waterberry (Syzygium komatiense) a species of waterberry tree.[25]
- Thorncroftia lotterii , a flowering plant.[26]
- Acontias albigularis, a lizard species.
- Procrica mariepskopa, a moth species.
- Inkomati Mountain Catfish (Amphilius engelbrechti)[27]
- Yellow Baberton Grass Aloe (Aloe craibii)[28]
- Longtom oneye (Monopsis kowynensis)[29]
- Graskop cliff aloe (Aloe nubigena)[30]
Conservation areas
The diverse and special flora and fauna of the province enjoys protection in a range of nature reserves.
- Barberton Nature Reserve
- Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
- Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, previously known as Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park. This international game park brings together some of the best and most established wildlife areas in southern Africa. The park is managed as an integrated unit across an unprecedented three international boundaries which includes the Kruger National Park (South Africa), Limpopo National Park (Mozambique) and Gonarezhou National Park (Zimbabwe).
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Mbombela
- Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which is built up of numerous private reserves: Nottens Bush Camp,[31] Idube Safari Lodge, Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, Djuma Game Reserve, Exeter Game Lodge, Inyati Private Game Reserve, Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Londolozi Game Reserve, Mala Mala Game Reserve, Savanna Private Game Reserve and Ulusaba Game Lodge.
- Verloren Vallei near Dullstroom
Many species of plants are unique to the different geological formations within Mpumalanga. Some examples of these formations include serpentines of Barberton Mountains, norites of Sekhukhuneland, quartzites of Blyde River Canyon, and the dolomites in the northern plateaus.[32]
Law and government
Mpumalanga is governed by the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, a unicameral system of 30 legislators democratically elected though a closed list system. Under the constitution of South Africa, the legislature is intended to create laws, promote public participation and provide oversight.[33] From 1994 to the present, the African National Congress has been the leading party in the Mpumalanga legislature. As of the 2019 elections, the Economic Freedom Fighters, Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus are in opposition in the legislature.[33] Elected every five years, the premier of Mpumalanga is the head of government in the province. Since 2018, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane has held the office of premier.[34]
Municipalities
Mpumalanga Province is divided into three
District municipalities
|
Economy
Farming
68% of land area in the province is used by agriculture. The climatic contrasts between the drier Highveld region, with its cold winters, and the hot, humid Lowveld allow for a variety of agricultural activities. Mpumalanga has been an important supplier of fruit and vegetables for local and international markets for decades.[35] A history of dispossession mean that farming land is largely white owned, although policies of land redistribution era aim to address this.
Crops include maize, wheat,
Farming in the province is driven by both a combination of
Forestry is extensive around Sabie and Graskop. Located near the forests, Ngodwana is the site of one of South Africa's largest paper mills (Sappi).[37]
Mining
Extensive mining is done and the minerals found include gold,
.Gold was first discovered in Mpumalanga province in 1883 by Auguste Roberts in the mountains surrounding what is now Barberton. Gold is still mined in the Barberton area today.[38]
Mpumalanga accounts for 83% of South Africa's coal production. 90% of South Africa's coal consumption is used for electricity generation and the synthetic fuel industry. Coal
The high density of coal power stations on the Mpumalanga highveld means that the region has the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution in the world.[40]
Attractions
Mpumalanga is popular with tourists. Kruger National Park, established in 1898 for the protection of Lowveld wildlife, covering 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi), is a popular destination.[41] The other major tourist attractions include the Sudwala Caves and the Blyde River Canyon.
Many activities including the big jump, mountain and quad biking, horse trails, river rafting and big game viewing are endemic to the region. This is "
In 2008, a
Culture
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2023) |
Mpumalanga is home to a diverse range of cultures, including Swazi, Ndebele, Afrikaans, Tsonga, Zulu, Mapulana, Portuguese and Pedi communities.
The Ndebele Cultural Village at Botshabelo is a renowned center of cultural heritage, with displays of Ndebele house painting. Ndebele artist Esther Mahalangu gained international acclaim for her artwork rooted in Ndebele traditions and geometric patterns. Prominent South African artist Gerard Sekoto was born in Botshabelo.
Many celebrated South African musicians, such as Ray Phiri, Rebecca Malope and Pretty Yende, are from Mpumalanga.
Since 2003, Mpumalanga's capital city, Mbombela, has hosted the Afrikaans national arts festival Innibos. The festival features music, comedy, arts, crafts and theatre.[44]
Gallery
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Bourke's Luck Potholes.
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Three Rondavels of the Blyde River Canyon.
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Escarpment.
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Lisbon Falls.
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Pilgrim's Rest.
Demographics
Mpumalanga's population is 4,039,939 people (according to the 2011 census).[45] The average population density is 52.81 people per km².[45]
Some 30% of the people speak
See also
- List of heritage sites in Mpumalanga
- List of speakers of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
- Care For Wild rhinoceros sanctuary
References
- ^ "Home". www.mbombela.gov.za. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-621-41388-5. Archived(PDF) from the original on 13 May 2015.
- ^ https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/download/file/fid/2889.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- ^ "Provincial gross domestic product:experimental estimates, 2013–2022" (PDF), www.statssa.gov.za
- ^ OCLC 608393212.
- ^ a b Esterhuysen, Amanda (2007). "The Archaeology of Mpumalanga".
- S2CID 143807212.
- ^ "Lydenburg Heads (Ca. 500 A.D.) | Essay | the Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History". metmuseum.org. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ "Prehistory of the Nelspruit area | South African History Online". sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ "Forgotten World". Wits University Press. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "One of the most extraordinary archaeological and historical phenomena in Southern Africa | The Heritage Portal". theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ Eybers, G. W. (George von Welfling) (1918). Select constitutional documents illustrating South African history, 1795-1910. Cornell University Library. London : G. Routledge & Sons; New York, E.P. Dutton & Co.
- )
- ^ "Mpumalanga | South African History Online". sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Don't eat potatoes! | South African History Online". sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Bloom, Kevin (19 March 2022). "DM168 INVESTIGATION: Case number 35402/2010 – the Mabuzas and the giant Mpumalanga land claims 'scam'". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "First farm to be expropriated". News24. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Life took hold on land 300 million years earlier than thought". ScienceDaily. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Mpumalanga". Lets Respond Toolkit. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Rampartab, Bronner (2016). A conservation assessment of Amblysomus robustus in Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South Africa: South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
- ^ "Enteromius treurensis, Treur barb". fishbase.se. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Protea curvata | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Sim's Spotted Aloe (Aloe simii)". iNaturalist Guatemala. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Komati Waterberry (Syzygium komatiense)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Notes on the Lamiaceae: A new Tetradenia and a new Thorncroftia from South Africa".
- ^ "Four new species of Amphilius". www.planetcatfish.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Longtom Oneye (Monopsis kowynensis)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Aloe nubigena". www.plantzafrica.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Private Safari Lodge". nottens.co.za.
- OCLC 309666362.
- ^ a b "About the Legislature". Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ Government, 2013 © Mpumalanga Provincial. "Office of the Premier — Mpumalanga Provincial Government". Office of the Premier — Mpumalanga Provincial Government. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ ISSN 0040-747X.
- ^ "Mpumalanga Province Freight Data Bank > Industries > Agriculture, Hunting & Forestry". www.safiri.co.za. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
- ^ Mpumalanga in brief: The economy of the province Archived 13 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine (URL accessed 30 April 2006)
- ^ "Barberton" Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Mpumalanga South Africa, ExploreSouthAfrica.net. (URL accessed 30 April 2006)
- ^ "Coal", South Africa Country Analysis Brief, Energy Information Administration. (URL accessed 30 April 2006)
- ^ "We have the dirtiest air in the world". November 2018.
- ^ "Kruger National Park", South Africa Explored.
- ^ "Mpumalanga news". mpumalanga.co.za. Archived from the original on 26 January 1998.
- ^ Mpumalanga Haute Cuisine
- ^ "InniBos Kunstefees / Event in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga". sa-venues.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ a b c "Census 2011: Province: Mpumalanga". census2011.adrianfrith.com. Retrieved 25 May 2022.