Giyani
| Giyani | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Giyani Giyani shown within South Africa
| |
| Coordinates: 23°18′36″S 30°42′23″E / 23.31000°S 30.70639°ECoordinates: 23°18′36″S 30°42′23″E / 23.31000°S 30.70639°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Limpopo |
| District | Mopani |
| Municipality | Greater Giyani |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 19.51 km2 (7.53 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 25,954 |
| • Density | 1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011)[1] | |
| • Black African | 96.9% |
| • Coloured | 0.2% |
| • Indian/Asian | 2.0% |
| • White | 0.5% |
| • Other | 0.4% |
| First languages (2011)[1] | |
| • Tsonga | 86.8% |
| • English | 2.7% |
| • Northern Sotho | 2.7% |
| • Venda | 1.7% |
| • Other | 6.2% |
| Postal code (street) | 0826 |
| PO box | 0826 |
| Area code | 015 |
Giyani is a town in the Limpopo province in north eastern South Africa, and former capital of the Gazankulu bantustan. Giyani is situated at the intersection between R578 road (South Africa) and R81. It is located in the heart of Limpopo Bushveld, on the northern bank of the Klein (Little) Letaba River west of Kruger National Park. Situated in the northern portion of former Gazankulu, Giyani was established in the 1960s as the administrative centre for the Tsonga people. Giyani is now the administrative capital of Mopani District Municipality. Giyani lies 470 km north east of Johannesburg by road, 104 km from Tzaneen and 105 km from the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger National Park.
The 'Giyani Ward' at Elim Hospital was named after Giyani, the ward was opened in 1969 and since the first Gazankulu Legislative Assembly was convened at the same time (1969) when the new ward at Elim Hospital was being opened, the Gazankulu Government therefore named the ward at Elim Hospital 'Giyani Ward' in honour of the Gazankulu Capital city. Six years later in 1975, the Gazankulu Government named another newly built Ward at Elim Hospital 'Valdezia Ward' in honour of the first Swiss Mission Station in Valdezia, 10 KM east of Waterval township. The Swiss Missionaries did mission work amongst the Tsonga people in the Hlanganani district of the former Gazankulu homeland. Later, the Swiss missionaries expanded its mission work to a large Tsonga settlement at Masana in Bushbuckridge and at Shiluvana settlement near Tzaneen.
Climate
Giyani is situated within the sub-tropical zone. It can be very hot in summer, reaching more than 38°C in summer and 22°C maximum during winter. Winters are mild during the day and cold during the nights. Rainfall season is between September and March, while the winter season is from April to August.
Culture
Most residents of Giyani speak Xitsonga as their first language. The Tsonga women perform the xibelani dance and the men enjoy mpuluto and makhwaya. The Tsonga people also engage in a custom dance called mchongolo. Xibelani is an African skirt designed to make the wearer's hips look bigger so the shaking can be more apparent. The Tsonga people have their own distinct music when the xibelani dance is performed. The staple diet in Giyani is stiff maize porridge (or pap in Afrikaans) often eaten with meat and vegetables (matsavu) or mopani worms (masonja).
Sports
Giyani Stadium is the home of National First Division club Dynamos. Giyani has been home to Giyani United and Giyani Classic.
On the athletics front the 100 metre sprint ace Peter "Manero" Ngobeni stayed in Giyani during the 1980s.
It is also the home town of the professional boxer Cassius Baloyi.
Economy
Giyani's economy is predominately rural-based. Cattle ranching and producing maize, peanuts, tomatoes, potatoes, mangoes and bananas forms the backbone of farming. With the economic boom, Giyani has now become a major retail and entertainment centre for the local population. Modern shopping centres, with all the well-known chain stores presented, have vastly uplifted the local trade.
Residential areas
Giyani is less populated and the large part of the town's open land is not developed or settled. Giyani Section A, D1, D2, E,F and Kremetart are affluent residential areas in the town.
Education
The people of Giyani value education, however, there are independent schools in the town, Khanyisa Education Centre, Nkwangulatilo Education centre. For higher education, the youth of Giyani typically attend the University of Limpopo, the University of Venda, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as well as the North-West University in Potchefstroom.
Road
The R81 is the major road that runs through Giyani. It links Giyani to Malamulele and also joins the R524 to Punda Maria entrance gate of the Kruger National Park
Tourism
Giyani's location in the warm African Bushveld makes it attractive for both local and international visitors. The Giyani Golf course is home to zebra, giraffe, bushbuck and some other herbivores. Viewing of these animals has not yet been commercialized.
At the moment, there are a number of Bed and Breakfast and Guest House facilities for tourists. A few are: Riverside Guest House, Xisaka Bed and Breakfast, Tihosi guest house, Elridge Mountain Lodge and Mopani Guest House.
Limpopo Lodge (formerly Giyani Hotel) is situated in the centre of town and managed by the Oasis Group. Man'ombe Nature Reserve is located 6 km east of Giyani.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Giyani". Census 2011.
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