# Ratlou Municipality, Ngaka Modiri Molema District – Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/ngaka-modiri-molema/ratlou/

Local municipality · Ngaka Modiri Molema District 

# Ratlou

Ratlou is a local municipality of South Africa in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West Province. It had an estimated **102,809 people** in 2020 on 4,884 km² (about 21 per km²). 48 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 129 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 102,809people (2020)
- 4,884km²
- 129mapped services
- 1,234 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in Ratlou?

Ratlou had an estimated **102,809 people** in 2020 — 11.8% of Ngaka Modiri Molema District, 105th of 190 local municipalities. There are 1,072 women for every 1,000 men (above the Ngaka Modiri Molema District figure of 1,014). Spread over 4,884 km², that is about **21 people per km²**, 122nd of 190 local municipalities.

37.9% of people are children under 15 and 8.5% are 65 or older; the median age is about 22 years (it is 26 across Ngaka Modiri Molema District). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 87 children and older people.

0–4 ****12,478**

5–9 ****13,266**

10–14 ****13,231**

15–19 ****10,059**

20–24 ****6,708**

25–29 ****5,981**

30–34 ****6,430**

35–39 ****5,813**

40–44 ****4,741**

45–49 ****4,154**

50–54 ****3,956**

55–59 ****3,646**

60–64 ****3,574**

65–69 ****3,478**

70–74 ****2,296**

75–79 ****1,605**

80+ ****1,393**

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 Ratlou?

Ratlou lies in [Ngaka Modiri Molema District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/ngaka-modiri-molema/), [North West Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 4 other local municipalities: [Kagisano/Molopo](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/dr-ruth-segomotsi-mompati/kagisano-molopo/), [Mafikeng](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/ngaka-modiri-molema/mafikeng/), [Naledi](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/dr-ruth-segomotsi-mompati/naledi/) and [Tswaing](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/ngaka-modiri-molema/tswaing/). By area it is the 78th largest of 213 local municipalities in South Africa. It covers 17.4% of [Ngaka Modiri Molema District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/north-west/ngaka-modiri-molema/). The centre of Ratlou is about 310 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 61 km from Mafikeng, the main town of Ngaka Modiri Molema District. The centre point is at 26.1375° S, 25.1160° E. Local names: NW381 .

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 Ratlou

OpenStreetMap lists 1 named sights in Ratlou: 1 nature reserve.

- Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre · 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: Ratlou

- 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

- George Dick Montshioa Airport (MBD) · Mafeking57 km
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) · Gaborone194 km

### Nearest railway station

Kraaipan (Ratlou), about 26 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 13.8 hours, sunrise around 05:21) and shortest in Jun (about 10.5 hours, sunrise around 07:04, sunset around 17:34).

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 Ratlou

Open gazetteers list **48 villages, towns and localities** in Ratlou. Settlements here lie between about 1,122 m and 1,366 m above sea level (median 1,234 m).

- Bathobatho
- Botshabelo
- Croydon
- Disaneng
- Freedom
- Ga-Ralebelwane
- Heathview
- Jonkersrus
- Keeley’s Ranch
- Kgwedimopitlo
- Kraaipan
- Kwidi
- Leporung
- Letsapa
- Logagane
- Logageng
- Logaging
- Mabule
- Madibogo
- Madibogo Pan
- Mahukubung
- Maipeng
- Makgakgane
- Makgobis Stadt
- Makgori
- Mareetsane
- Masamane
- Masibi
- Matloding
- Mohuti
- Mokgobistad
- Mokobisi
- Morokwa
- Motlhokaditse
- Phiring
- Ramabesa
- Sasane
- Semashu
- Setlagode
- Setlagole
- Setlhwatlhwe
- Shaleng
- Steilnek
- Thepe
- Thultwane
- Thutlwane
- Tlhakajeng
- Tshidilamolomo

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 Ratlou

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

### Water

4 rivers and streams; 2 dams; 1 reservoir or tank.

- Cashel Dam
- Kabe
- Koedoespruit
- Madibeng
- Setlagole
- Taudam
- West End Dam

### Hills and mountains

3 hills.

- Mount Ida · 1,341 m
- Diphalakoppe · 1,167 m
- Tshokong · 1,166 m

### Getting around

2 airfields; 2 railway stations.

- Madibogo
- Mareetsaane
- Mareetsane
- Nottingham

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 Ratlou and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Ngaka Modiri Molema District, the warmest month is Jan (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jul (11 °C). About 481 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (89 mm) and the driest Jul (1 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to December**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 25 89 

Feb 24 82 

Mar 22 58 

Apr 19 45 

May 15 12 

Jun 11 10 

Jul 11 1 

Aug 14 5 

Sep 19 10 

Oct 22 31 

Nov 23 53 

Dec 25 86 

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

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from Ratlou

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Madibogo Womans Clinic · Ratlou 17 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-26.29075&mlon=25.12636#map=17/-26.29075/25.12636) 

Hotel Wayside Hotel · Ratlou 31 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-26.14667&mlon=25.42447#map=17/-26.14667/25.42447) 

School Tshegare Creche · Ratlou 14 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-26.26257&mlon=25.12708#map=17/-26.26257/25.12708) 

Police station Setlagole Police Station · Ratlou 15 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-26.27153&mlon=25.11371#map=17/-26.27153/25.11371) 

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 Ratlou

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

- Hospitals8
- Hotels2
- Schools114
- Restaurants2
- 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 Ngaka Modiri Molema District

- Ditsobotla
- Mafikeng
- Ramotshere Moiloa
- Tswaing

## Quick answers

- Where is Ratlou?In Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Ratlou?102,809 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Ratlou?About 22 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Ratlou?About 21 people per km²
- What borders Ratlou?Kagisano/Molopo, Mafikeng, Naledi and Tswaing
- What is there to see in Ratlou?Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre
- What time zone is Ratlou in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Ratlou?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Ratlou?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Ratlou?48 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Ratlou?Settlements lie between 1,122 m and 1,366 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Ratlou?1 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Ratlou?Mount Ida (1,341 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Ratlou?January to December
- Where is the nearest hospital to Ratlou?Madibogo Womans Clinic, about 17 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in Ratlou?8 mapped
- What is the P-code of Ratlou?ZA6381 (OCHA common operational dataset)