The municipality is named after Ephraim Phumuga Mogale, a South African freedom fighter.

[3] The 2001 census divided the municipality into the following main places:[4] The municipal council consists of thirty-two members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.

Sixteen councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in sixteen wards, while the remaining sixteen are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.

In the election of 1 November 2021, the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of nineteen seats on the council.

[5] Local sports teams in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality include FC Maginim Ephraim Mogale, a football club.