# Senqu Municipality, Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape Province

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/joe-gqabi/senqu/

Local municipality · Joe Gqabi District 

# Senqu

Senqu is a local municipality of South Africa in Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape Province. It had an estimated **125,965 people** in 2020 on 7,329 km² (about 17 per km²). 148 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 222 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 125,965people (2020)
- 7,329km²
- 222mapped services
- 1,566 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in Senqu?

Senqu had an estimated **125,965 people** in 2020 — 37.1% of Joe Gqabi District, 84th of 190 local municipalities. There are 1,118 women for every 1,000 men (above the Joe Gqabi District figure of 1,095). Spread over 7,329 km², that is about **17 people per km²**, 131st of 190 local municipalities.

33.3% of people are children under 15 and 8.9% are 65 or older; the median age is about 24 years (it is 24 across Joe Gqabi District). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 73 children and older people.

0–4 ****12,948**

5–9 ****14,646**

10–14 ****14,377**

15–19 ****13,320**

20–24 ****9,643**

25–29 ****7,979**

30–34 ****8,758**

35–39 ****7,553**

40–44 ****5,787**

45–49 ****5,057**

50–54 ****4,887**

55–59 ****4,891**

60–64 ****4,947**

65–69 ****4,021**

70–74 ****3,132**

75–79 ****2,498**

80+ ****1,521**

Source: [Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-zaf).

## Where is Senqu?

Senqu lies in [Joe Gqabi District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/joe-gqabi/), [Eastern Cape Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 5 other local municipalities: [Elundini](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/joe-gqabi/elundini/), [Emalahleni](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/chris-hani/emalahleni/), [Mohokare](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/xhariep/mohokare/), [Sakhisizwe](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/chris-hani/sakhisizwe/) and [Walter Sisulu](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/joe-gqabi/walter-sisulu/). By area it is the 45th largest of 213 local municipalities in South Africa. It covers 28.6% of [Joe Gqabi District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/joe-gqabi/). The centre of Senqu is about 572 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 12 km from Barkly East, the main town of Joe Gqabi District. The centre point is at 30.8664° S, 27.6282° E. Local names: EC142 .

Source: [South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zaf).

## Things to see in and around Senqu

OpenStreetMap lists 12 named sights in Senqu: 5 nature reserves; 2 viewpoints; 1 monument; 1 waterfall; 1 attraction; 1 memorial; 1 national park.

- Tele Falls · waterfall
- Tenahead Mountain Reserve · national park
- Balloch Protected Environment · nature reserve
- Glencoe Protected Environment · nature reserve
- Grasslands National Park · nature reserve
- Lammergeier Highlands Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Reedsdell Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Naude’s nek Pass · viewpoint
- Naudé's Nek Viewpoint · viewpoint
- Balloch bushmen cave paintings · attraction
- 10 October 1992 Train Accident · memorial
- Naudé Monument · monument

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Senqu

- Time zoneUTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- CurrencyRand (ZAR)
- Country calling code+27
- LanguagesZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug typesType C, D · 230 V
- Driving sideLeft
- Postcode format4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports

- K. D. Matanzima Airport (UTT) · Mthatha125 km
- Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) · Maseru(Mazenod)157 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.1 hours, sunrise around 05:00) and shortest in Jun (about 10.2 hours, sunrise around 07:04, sunset around 17:14).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Villages and localities in Senqu

Open gazetteers list **148 villages, towns and localities** in Senqu. The largest with a recorded population: Barkly East (11,965) and Lady Grey (8,414). Settlements here lie between about 1,387 m and 2,002 m above sea level (median 1,566 m).

- Barkly East
- Bebeza
- Bensonvale
- Bhongolethu
- Bikizana
- Blikana
- Bluegums
- Boomplaas
- Brayini
- Brigg’s Haven
- Cebano
- Clanville
- Clifford
- Coville
- Cowville
- Dangers Hoek
- Daweni
- Dibinkonzo
- Dolosini
- Dondolo
- Drayini
- Dulcies Nek
- Ekhephini
- Emadlangeni
- Emqheyen
- Entsimekweni
- Esilindini
- Etshantolo
- Fort Hook
- Gatberg
- Gcina
- Henge
- Herschel
- Hillside
- Hlanjwa
- Hlartjwa
- Hlomendlini
- Hohobeng
- Jozannas Nek
- Jozannashoek
- Khiba
- Khwabo
- Khwezinaledi
- Komkhulu
- Kromspruit
- Kwantoyi
- Kwezinaledi
- Lady Grey
- Longsought
- Lundin’s Nek
- MAxeba
- Mabalana
- Mabele
- Macacuma
- Madakana
- Magadla
- Magwigi
- Mahlabatini
- Mahlubini
- Majuba Nek
- Makandini
- Makhaba
- Makhumsha
- Malpas
- Mangweni
- Manxeba
- Marakaneng
- Mavelebayi
- May
- Mayisela
- Mbekweni
- Mbihli
- Mbobo
- Mboleni
- Mbonisweni
- Mdaweni
- Mdeni
- Mdlokovane
- Meyi
- Mfiki
- Mfinci
- Mfririkini
- Mguli
- Mhlangeni
- Mjilweni
- Mkhuzo
- Mkunyazo
- Mlamli
- Modapi
- Mokhesi
- Mount Prospect
- Mpucukweni
- Mrifi
- Munywini
- Musong
- Mzondeki
- Naledi
- Ndofela
- Ndungunya
- Nkopane
- Nobadimo
- Ntaba-Kusuku
- Ntatyana
- Ntsimekweni
- Ntubeni
- Orange River
- Ou Tol
- Palmietfontein
- Pelandaba
- Pen Hoek
- Platform
- Poplar Farm
- Qhemegha
- Qoboshane
- Quimera
- Rayisini
- Rhodes
- Rock Cliff
- Rockdale
- Rossouw
- Saint Barnabas
- Saint Michael’s
- Sidakaneni
- Siloromo
- Sipambo Basin
- Sitoromo
- Skisazana
- Springkaanspoort
- Sqitini
- Steinau
- Sterkspruit
- Swartlaagte
- Tapoleng
- Telle Falls
- Teresa
- Thaba Koloi
- Tlankaneng
- Trappan
- Tugela
- Tyinindini
- Upper Telle
- Voyizane
- Walaza
- White City
- Zava
- Zitetyaneni
- Zola
- Zwelitsha

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Senqu

Named natural and historic features inside Senqu, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

47 rivers and streams.

- Bamboeshoekspruit
- Bamboesspruit
- Bell River
- Bell River
- Blikana
- Bokspruit
- Bottelnekspruit
- Carlisle’s Hoek
- Denorbin Spruit
- Diepspruit
- Funny Stone Stream
- Hlatimnyama
- Joggemspruit
- Karringmelkspruit
- Keiskammaspruit
- Klipspruit
- Kloppershoekspruit
- Koffiehoekspruit
- Kromspruit
- Kwa Somkitano
- Langkloof
- Langkloofspruit
- Maartenshoekspruit
- Mhlangeni

…and 23 more.

### Coast and islands

1 headland.

- Dunpunt

### Hills and mountains

101 mountains; 20 hills; 13 mountain passes; 2 peaks.

- Ben Macdhui · 2,991 m
- Breslin’s Kop · 2,852 m
- Little Tooth · 2,824 m
- Tina Head · 2,814 m
- Avoca Peak · 2,754 m
- Ben Dearg · 2,743 m
- Table Hill · 2,727 m
- Scobells Kop · 2,718 m
- Snowdon · 2,694 m
- Pelion Peak · 2,675 m
- Edge Hill · 2,670 m
- Fern Tower · 2,663 m
- Kopshorn · 2,642 m
- Balloch Peak · 2,624 m
- Bonnyvale Peak · 2,616 m
- Rotkop · 2,607 m
- Mount Blyth · 2,565 m
- Ben Nevis · 2,562 m
- Graskop · 2,561 m
- Mount Enterprise · 2,549 m
- Foxley’s Trek Path · 2,546 m
- Brandtskop · 2,504 m
- Naudesnek · 2,494 m
- Glen Gyle Peak · 2,480 m

…and 112 more.

### Getting around

4 railway stations; 2 airfields; 1 bridge.

- Arnold Hechter Bridge
- Barkley East
- Barkly East
- Lady Grey
- Lady Grey
- Motkop
- New England

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Senqu and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Joe Gqabi District, the warmest month is Jan (average 21 °C) and the coolest is Jul (6 °C). About 577 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (86 mm) and the driest Jul (18 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **September to April**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 21 86 

Feb 20 86 

Mar 18 71 

Apr 14 52 

May 10 22 

Jun 6 21 

Jul 6 18 

Aug 8 23 

Sep 13 21 

Oct 16 47 

Nov 18 59 

Dec 20 72 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from Senqu

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Cloete Joubert Hospital · Senqu 12 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-30.96840&mlon=27.58657#map=17/-30.96840/27.58657) 

Bank FNB Barkly East · Senqu 12 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-30.96760&mlon=27.59454#map=17/-30.96760/27.59454) 

Petrol pump Caltex Barkly East Motors · Senqu 12 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-30.96855&mlon=27.59255#map=17/-30.96855/27.59255) 

Hotel Sir Henry Barkly Guest House · Senqu 12 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-30.96853&mlon=27.59781#map=17/-30.96853/27.59781) 

School Sukey Greyvenstein Pre-Primary School · Senqu 11 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-30.96187&mlon=27.59771#map=17/-30.96187/27.59771) 

Police station SAPS Barkly East · Senqu 12 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-30.96898&mlon=27.59756#map=17/-30.96898/27.59756) 

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Straight-line distance from the centre of the division, within 40 km.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Senqu

Places mapped inside Senqu in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals5
- Banks9
- ATMs6
- Petrol pumps6
- Hotels17
- Shopping malls2
- Schools159
- Colleges and universities1
- Pharmacies2
- Restaurants12
- Police stations3

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Other local municipalities in Joe Gqabi District

- Elundini
- Walter Sisulu

## Quick answers

- Where is Senqu?In Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Senqu?125,965 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Senqu?About 24 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Senqu?About 17 people per km²
- What borders Senqu?Elundini, Emalahleni, Mohokare, Sakhisizwe and Walter Sisulu
- What is there to see in Senqu?10 October 1992 Train Accident, Balloch Protected Environment, Balloch bushmen cave paintings, Glencoe Protected Environment
- What time zone is Senqu in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Senqu?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Senqu?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Senqu?148 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Senqu?Settlements lie between 1,387 m and 2,002 m
- What is the highest point in Senqu?Ben Macdhui (2,991 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Senqu?September to April
- Where is the nearest hospital to Senqu?Cloete Joubert Hospital, about 12 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to Senqu?FNB Barkly East, about 12 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to Senqu?Caltex Barkly East Motors, about 12 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in Senqu?5 mapped
- How many banks are in Senqu?9 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Senqu?6 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Senqu?6 mapped
- What is the P-code of Senqu?ZA2142 (OCHA common operational dataset)