Lephalale

Lephalale is a town in Limpopo province, South Africa. It serves as the seat of Lephalale Local Municipality in the Waterberg District and is located in the northern part of the province, near the border with Botswana. The town was formerly known as Ellisras and was renamed Lephalale in the early 2000s as part of broader renaming initiatives in the country.

The surrounding area lies on the Waterberg coalfield and is an important centre for coal mining and energy production. Nearby power stations, including the Medupi Power Station and the Matimba Power Station, are operated by Eskom and contribute to South Africa’s electricity supply. In addition to mining and energy, the local economy includes agriculture and wildlife ranching, with tourism linked to the broader Waterberg landscape playing a secondary role.

Geographically, the region experiences a semi-arid savanna climate with hot summers and relatively dry winters. The area features savanna vegetation and the Lephalale River, which contributes to local irrigation and ecosystem dynamics.

History and development have been shaped by mining activity and the establishment of municipal governance in the 20th and 21st centuries. The name change from Ellisras to Lephalale reflects post‑apartheid efforts to replace colonial-era toponyms with locally derived names.

Demographics in Lephalale are diverse, with a population that is predominantly Black African. Languages spoken in the area commonly include Northern Sotho and Setswana, among others, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the region.