Matzikama Municipality is the most northern of the local muncipalities under the West Coast District, barring the DMA which is in fact further north. The municipality covers an area just more than 5 000sqkm between the N7 freeway north and the Atlantic Ocean. Translated as 'place of water', Matzikama is roughly 240km north of the City of Cape Town and includes the towns of Vredendal, Lutzville and Van Rhynsdorp. The population of the municipality is estimated to be just over 50 000.

Economy
The key sectors in the municipality, in terms of contribution to GGP and employment, are agriculture and tourism. The wine farms and cellars in the region produce wine and brandy, there is a scattering of small-scale wheat and maize farming, as well as sheep farming for meat and wool. An exciting set of opportunities in niche agriculture are in aquaculture and essential oils. The main tourism attraction in the region is the famous Namaqualand flower season, which sees thousands of tourists head up to the Namaqualand to take in the explosion of colour in what seems like an endless field of flowers.

Main resources/attractions
With its abundant water supply and fertile soil, the agricultural industry is healthy, diversified and strong, including the cultivation of vegetables, citrus fruit and vineyards. The growth in the agriculture sector, as well as that in the mining sector, is likely attributable to the supporting infrastructure that has been developed, which has then in turn accounted for corresponding growth in secondary industries such as trade, services and light industry.

Key focus areas in Matzikama
Of primary concern in Matzikama are the following initiatives:

• the development of small farmers
• the development of more sustainable water resources
• the proposal to turn undeveloped state land over to the development of community farms
• the development of a fish awareness programme
• increasing commercial fishing quotas
• building holiday chalets at Strandfontein
• the upgrading and renewal of Doornbaai harbour
• increasing raw water holding capacity at Klawer

Contact the Matzikama Local Municipality:

Tel.: +27 27 201 3301

Fax: +27 27 213 3238

Email: deano@matzikamamun.co.za

Website: www.matzikamamun.co.za