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Bergrivier Local Municipality at a glance


Municipal manager
Aldrick Hendricks

Main Cities and Towns
Piketberg, De Hoek, Porterville, Velddrif, Eendekuil, Port Owen, Witwater

Population
46 324


Email
bergmun@telkomsa.net

Telephone
+27 22 913 1126

Fax
+27 22 913 1380

The Bergrivier is situated just north of Saldanha Bay and Swartland, south of Cederberg and bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The municipal area is 4 407sqkm and estimates are that the population is just short of 50 000 people.

Agriculture is far and away the biggest sector in the municipality, delivering mainly on sheep, cattle and grain farming, but also in stud, pig and trout farms, as well as cultivated crops such as fruit, wine grapes, proteas, potatoes, waterblommetjies, vegetables and water melons. Agriculture is also easily the largest employer in the municipality, employing more than half of the working labour force. Most of the municipality's industry is subsidiary to the agriculture sector, with various agroprocessing, packaging and bottling opportunities.

The only large-scale mining enterprise is a cement factory at De Hoek, although there is a salt reclamation works at Velddrif. The tourism industry has been identified for future economic growth in the region, in efforts to diversify the economy away from the strong agricultural reliance.

Bergrivier has identified areas in urgent need of attention if the region is to develop some sustainable growth in the near future. These include:

• Promotion of entrepreneurship
• Sustainable development plan
• Extended public works programme
• Adult Basic Education Training classes
• Funding for emerging farmers
• Subsidy for youth development
• Youth development
• Informal trade centre

Contact the Bergrivier Local Municipality:

Tel.: +27 22 913 1126

Fax: +27 22 913 1380

Email: bergmun@telkomsa.net