List Of 8 Largest Cities In South Africa As Of 2022 [You Need To Know]

List Of 8 Largest Cities In South Africa… Are you looking for a list of the largest cities in South Africa? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about the list of 8 Largest Cities In South Africa as of 2022.

South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. It has a coastline of over 2,700 kilometres. It stretches along the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean. The concentration of population in some South African cities is beyond anything seen in other African countries of similar population and size. Out of the over 51 million people in the country, 45% of them live in urban centers. As a consequence, there is a massive cultural divide between those living in densely populated cities and those living in the countryside.

What Are The Major Cities In South Africa?

For most of its history, South Africa had three capitals considered the centres of power. Cape Town is where you will find the country’s parliament. Pretoria hosts the office of the president and home to the Union Buildings. Bloemfontein is the country’s judicial capital.

As rural-urban migration, population, and economic activities increased, more cities emerged. Today, other major cities include Durban, Soweto, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Nelspruit, East London, Polokwane, and Upington.

But which are the largest cities in South Africa? According to a recent Community Survey Report, Let’s look at the top eight most developed cities with populations of over 700,000 people.

1. Johannesburg

It is the most populated city in South Africa with a population of 4.9 million people. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng. It serves as the wealthiest province and tops among the rich cities in South Africa. Discovered over 120 years ago, the city is popularly known as the City of Gold. That is mainly because of its humble beginnings as a gold-mining town.

Even today, the metropolis is the centre of large-scale gold and diamond trade. Johannesburg is one of Africa’s modern cities. It is the continent economic powerhouse and has more than one CBD (central business district). Sandton is the premier business centre of the city and one of the country’s rich financial regions.

Major economic activities include commercial, mining, industrial, financial, and diamond trading. The economic activities coupled with a fusion of various cultures, tolerable climate, excellent infrastructure, and rich history make Johannesburg one of the best places to live in South Africa.

2. Cape Town

It is the oldest city in South Africa with a population of over 4.0 million people. Also known as the Mother City, Cape Town is the legislative centre and one of the three main capitals of the country. Cape Town is known for its natural setting, its harbour, and beautiful landmarks. Famous landmarks include the Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, and Table Mountain.

The city is multicultural, thus reflecting on its role as a destination for expatriates and immigrants to South Africa. Cape Town is Africa’s third major economic hub city and the country’s second. It is a regional manufacturing centre employing millions of South Africans.

The metropolis boasts of a robust agricultural industry. There are many activities in the business services, finance, logistics, hospitality, and transport industries. For most people, Cape Town is one of the best places to live. That is primarily because of its diverse culture, culinary arts, economy, and adventure.

3. eThekwini

It is a metropolitan municipality formed in 2000 with a population of 3.66 million people. eThekwini also includes Durban and is one of the most populated cities in South Africa. The city is home to other 11 districts in the larger KwaZulu-Natal province. Over 60% of the people who live in the region speak Zulu.

One of the key economic fronts of eThekwini in Durban. Durban is the busiest port in South Africa, and one of the major centres of tourism. The city boasts extensive beaches and a warm subtropical climate. In 2015, the New7Wonders Foundation recognised Durban as one of the New 7 Wonders Cities of the world.

As a modern city, eThekwini is where you will find friendly people and beautiful surroundings. Unlike most cities in Africa, eThekwini has everything. It has a modernised transport system, stadiums, sports facilities, educational institutions, and nature and wildlife. Even those that work in the informal sector call it home.

4. Ekurhuleni

On this list of cities in South Africa is Ekurhuleni. It is a metropolitan municipality in the Gauteng province with a population of 3.37 million people. Ekurhuleni is a XiTsonga name that means a place of peace. Locals named it as such after the intense violence witnessed in the early 1990s.

It was a time when the country was conducting its first multiracial elections. The majority of people who live in the city speak the native language of IsiZulu. In 2000, Ekurhuleni officially became a municipality replacing the previous administrations.

Ekurhuleni is a city blessed with beautiful parks and nature. It has hundreds of lakes and wetlands that also serve as the city’s catchment areas. There are historical landmarks that recognise places, people, and events associated with the struggle for freedom.

For the most part, the metropolitan municipality is home to a rich cultural life, a booming manufacturing industry, modern infrastructure, and an educational hub for South Africans.

5. Tshwane

It is a metropolitan municipality in South Africa with a population of 3.27 million people. Located in the northern Gauteng Province, Tshwane forms the city’s local government. Established in 2000, it comprises of 13 former town counsels. All the counsels are under the executive management of a mayoral system. The central metropolitan area of the municipality is Pretoria.

The city has a humid subtropical climate. During the summers, the weather tends to be long hot, and rainy. On the other hand, the winters are sometimes short cool, cold, and dry. Its economy has several sectors that support it. Government companies and motor vehicles and parts manufacturing are the biggest employers.

Other industries in the municipality include copper casting, steel, and iron works. Tshwane is also home to historical monuments, national zoological gardens, and heritage sites as a multicultural area.

6. Nelson Mandela Bay

It is a metropolitan municipality in South Africa with a population of 1.26 million people. Located in the Eastern Cape Province on the shores of Algoa Bay, Nelson Mandela Bay is one of the friendliest cities in the country. One of the main places in the metropolis is Port Elizabeth. The town is famous for its excellent water sports, beaches, wildlife attractions, and waterfront.

Port Elizabeth has always been a centre through which the majority of the city’s trade comes. It also boasts of several motor vehicle assembly plants and other automotive companies. The motor vehicle industry is the most dominant industry. Other companies provide parts like catalytic converters, wiring harnesses, tyres, and batteries to vehicle manufacturers.

Tourists love Nelson Mandela Bay for having many attractions. But one factor that distinguishes the city from the rest is that it is full of friendly people.

7. Buffalo City

It is a metropolitan municipality with a population of 0.81 million people. Located in the Eastern Cape Province, Buffalo City includes other towns such as King William’s, East London, and Bhisho. Zwelitsha and Mdantsane are two of the city’s largest townships. Buffalo City officially became a metropolitan municipality in 2011.

Like other metropolitan cities in South Africa, Buffalo City is a well-developed base. The manufacturing and auto industries play a significant role in the city’s economy. East London is the city’s second largest industrial centre. It hosts various industries including food processing, textiles, clothing, and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, it is in the town where you will find the country’s only inland river port.

Buffalo City is a multicultural metropolis that experiences a mild climate year-round. The city is host to a well-established transport system, a tourist destination, and a place where cricket is the famous sport.

8. Bloemfontein

It is the capital city of the Free State Province with a population of 0.759 million people. Bloemfontein is also the judicial capital of South Africa, and one of the country’s three capitals and centres of power. The city is part of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality formed in 2011.

Bloemfontein is home to many famous people and places. It hosts the Franklin Game Reserve, the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, the National Museum, and the Anglo-Boer War Museum. Famous rugby, soccer, and cricket players, musicians, actors, and directors, are associated with the city.

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