Its primary claim to fame is as the birthplace of former President Thabo Mbeki.

The Mbanyana Falls, Mbhashe Cultural Village and Donald Wood's Snooker Room number among its attractions.

[4] The area also boasts the head offices of the AmaXhosa Kingdom at the Nqadu Great Place.

Thirty-two councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in thirty-two wards, while the remaining thirty-one 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 forty-five seats on the council.