Recent surveys have identified the following characteristics of the municipality's population:[4] More than half the population is younger than 19 years of age, placing pressure on the need for social facilities.

Unemployment levels are very high, with only 12.5% of the total population being formally employed.

These include game reserves, historical/cultural sites, cultural events and guest lodges.

Twenty-four councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in twenty-four wards, while the remaining twenty-three 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 Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) won a majority of thirty-two seats on the council.