Drakenstein Local Municipality

Drakenstein Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Cape Winelands region that includes towns like Paarl, Wellington, Mbekweni, Gouda, Hermon, Saron, and Simondium. The area sits at 160 meters elevation and consists mainly of vineyards and fruit farms that cover much of the landscape.

The municipality was established on December 5, 2000, as part of major administrative reforms that reorganized local government after apartheid ended in South Africa. This restructuring represented a shift toward new democratic systems of governance in the country.

Agriculture, especially wine production, defines how people work and live in this region, shaping what you see in the landscape. These farming traditions connect families and communities to the land through generations of cultivation and trade.

The area consists of several towns connected by roads, making it easy to travel between different communities in the region. For information about local services, residents and visitors can contact the municipal offices in the main towns.

This area acts as a secondary city located just under an hour from Cape Town while maintaining its own distinct local character and identity. The combination of proximity to the capital and independence as a community creates a unique position in the wider region.

Location: Cape Winelands District Municipality

Inception: December 5, 2000

Capital city: Paarl

Elevation above the sea: 160 m

Shares border with: Witzenberg Local Municipality, Breede Valley Local Municipality, Stellenbosch Local Municipality, City of Cape Town, Swartland Local Municipality, Bergrivier Local Municipality

Website: http://drakenstein.gov.za

GPS coordinates: -33.50000,19.00000

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:53