# Tswelopele Municipality, Lejweleputswa District – Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/tswelopele/

Local municipality · Lejweleputswa District 

# Tswelopele

Tswelopele is a local municipality of South Africa in Lejweleputswa District, Free State Province. It had an estimated **40,681 people** in 2020 on 6,524 km² (about 6.2 per km²). 5 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 79 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 40,681people (2020)
- 6,524km²
- 79mapped services
- 1,318 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in Tswelopele?

Tswelopele had an estimated **40,681 people** in 2020 — 7.1% of Lejweleputswa District, 162nd of 190 local municipalities. There are 1,063 women for every 1,000 men (above the Lejweleputswa District figure of 1,000). Spread over 6,524 km², that is about **6.2 people per km²**, 158th of 190 local municipalities.

33.0% of people are children under 15 and 6.3% are 65 or older; the median age is about 25 years (it is 28 across Lejweleputswa District). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 65 children and older people.

0–4 ****4,356**

5–9 ****4,623**

10–14 ****4,440**

15–19 ****3,308**

20–24 ****3,298**

25–29 ****3,280**

30–34 ****3,294**

35–39 ****2,739**

40–44 ****2,353**

45–49 ****1,928**

50–54 ****1,615**

55–59 ****1,585**

60–64 ****1,279**

65–69 ****1,051**

70–74 ****665**

75–79 ****527**

80+ ****340**

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 Tswelopele?

Tswelopele lies in [Lejweleputswa District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/), [Free State Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 6 other local municipalities: [Lekwa-Teemane](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/dr-ruth-segomotsi-mompati/lekwa-teemane/), [Maquassi Hills](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/dr-kenneth-kaunda/maquassi-hills/), [Masilonyana](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/masilonyana/), [Matjhabeng](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/matjhabeng/), [Nala](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/nala/) and [Tokologo](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/tokologo/). By area it is the 53rd largest of 213 local municipalities in South Africa. It covers 20.2% of [Lejweleputswa District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/lejweleputswa/). The centre of Tswelopele is about 340 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 76 km from Welkom, the main town of Lejweleputswa District. The centre point is at 28.0774° S, 25.9741° E. Local names: FS183 .

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 Tswelopele

OpenStreetMap lists 2 named sights in Tswelopele: 2 nature reserves.

- Sandveld Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Sandveld Natuurreservaat · nature reserve

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: Tswelopele

- 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

- Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) · Bloemfontein117 km
- Kimberley Airport (KIM) · Kimberley143 km

### Nearest railway station

Protespan (Tswelopele), about 26 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 13.9 hours, sunrise around 05:14) and shortest in Jun (about 10.4 hours, sunrise around 07:05, sunset around 17:27).

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 Tswelopele

Open gazetteers list **5 villages, towns and localities** in Tswelopele. The largest with a recorded population: Bultfontein (27,994) and Hoopstad (19,209). Settlements here lie between about 1,253 m and 1,319 m above sea level (median 1,318 m).

- Brackenhurst
- Bultfontein
- Excelsior
- Hoopstad
- Vlakleegte

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 Tswelopele

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

### Water

4 rivers and streams; 2 lakes.

- Barberslaagte
- Blindepan
- Dermspruit
- Sandrivier
- Vetrivier
- Wardens Vlei

### Hills and mountains

42 hills; 2 mountains.

- Skoongesigkop · 1,417 m
- Erweesrant · 1,414 m
- Kwaggaskop · 1,409 m
- Basberg · 1,407 m
- Die Hoogtekop · 1,386 m
- Brandkop · 1,371 m
- Broken Hill · 1,371 m
- Weltevreden · 1,368 m
- Koolmanskoppie · 1,366 m
- Boskop · 1,365 m
- Kalkoenkop · 1,361 m
- Wolwerant · 1,354 m
- Knapdaar · 1,349 m
- Bosrand · 1,347 m
- Boesmanskop · 1,346 m
- Perdekop · 1,346 m
- Biesiebult · 1,344 m
- Jakkalsrant · 1,340 m
- Hogerop · 1,332 m
- Vogel-Struisbult · 1,332 m
- Uitkyk · 1,326 m
- Inktpan · 1,320 m
- Vryheid · 1,316 m
- Die Grootrand · 1,314 m

…and 20 more.

### Getting around

3 airfields.

- Bultfontein
- Hoopstad
- La Riviera Aerodrome

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 Tswelopele and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Lejweleputswa District, the warmest month is Jan (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jul (9 °C). About 491 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (86 mm) and the driest Jul (3 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **August to May**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 25 86 

Feb 24 71 

Mar 22 70 

Apr 18 44 

May 14 12 

Jun 10 12 

Jul 9 3 

Aug 12 8 

Sep 17 9 

Oct 21 34 

Nov 23 61 

Dec 24 80 

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

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from Tswelopele

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Mohau District Hospital - Hoopstad Hospital · Tswelopele 28 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.83306&mlon=25.91462#map=17/-27.83306/25.91462) 

Bank ABSA · Tswelopele 28 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.83563&mlon=25.90578#map=17/-27.83563/25.90578) 

ATM Mall Of Africa Offsite · Tswelopele 5.2 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.10660&mlon=26.01540#map=17/-28.10660/26.01540) 

Petrol pump Shell · Tswelopele 19 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.16452&mlon=26.14504#map=17/-28.16452/26.14504) 

Hotel Roses Self Catering Guest House · Tswelopele 28 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.82987&mlon=25.91300#map=17/-27.82987/25.91300) 

School Sekgweng Intermediate School · Tswelopele 21 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.21465&mlon=26.11626#map=17/-28.21465/26.11626) 

College Rhodes University Faculty of Law · Tswelopele 26 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.30438&mlon=26.01562#map=17/-28.30438/26.01562) 

Police station Bultfontein Police Station · Tswelopele 30 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.29344&mlon=26.15290#map=17/-28.29344/26.15290) 

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 Tswelopele

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

- Hospitals3
- Banks4
- ATMs14
- Petrol pumps7
- Hotels8
- Schools34
- Colleges and universities1
- Pharmacies1
- Restaurants6
- Police stations1

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 Lejweleputswa District

- Masilonyana
- Matjhabeng
- Nala
- Tokologo

## Quick answers

- Where is Tswelopele?In Lejweleputswa District, Free State Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Tswelopele?40,681 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Tswelopele?About 25 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Tswelopele?About 6.2 people per km²
- What borders Tswelopele?Lekwa-Teemane, Maquassi Hills, Masilonyana, Matjhabeng, Nala and Tokologo
- What is there to see in Tswelopele?Sandveld Nature Reserve, Sandveld Natuurreservaat
- What time zone is Tswelopele in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Tswelopele?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Tswelopele?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Tswelopele?5 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Tswelopele?Settlements lie between 1,253 m and 1,319 m
- What is the highest point in Tswelopele?Skoongesigkop (1,417 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Tswelopele?August to May
- Where is the nearest hospital to Tswelopele?Mohau District Hospital - Hoopstad Hospital, about 28 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to Tswelopele?ABSA, about 28 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest ATM to Tswelopele?Mall Of Africa Offsite, about 5.2 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to Tswelopele?Shell, about 19 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in Tswelopele?3 mapped
- How many banks are in Tswelopele?4 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Tswelopele?14 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Tswelopele?7 mapped
- What is the P-code of Tswelopele?ZA4183 (OCHA common operational dataset)