ABOUT US
Vision
A people centred municipality providing effective and efficient services to communities.
Mission
To deliver effective, efficient services in an accountable and transparent manner and to create an inclusive, safe, sustainable socio-economic environment for improved quality of life
OUR TOWNS
Kirkwood
With over 12 000 ha of citrus trees, Kirkwood is the hub of one of South Africa's largest citrus areas. This region exports about 8 million cartons of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and soft citrus to nations around the world annually. Currently, Kirkwood serves as the Sundays River Valley Municipality's vibrant capital. To the north of Kirkwood lies the beautiful Rietberg mountain with the Uyepoort (Uye gateway) that provides passage to the Zuurberg mountains and the Greater Addo Elephant National Park with the big five. A panoramic view of Kirkwood and the orange groves is visible from The Lookout. The Lookout is also well known as a site where large dinosaur fossils are frequently dug up by archeologists. The first complete dinosaur fossil to be found in South Africa was found not far from Kirkwood and aptly named Kirky, because it looked like a turkey.
Addo
The lovely gateway communities of Addo, Kirkwood, Paterson, and Colchester provide services to the Addo Elephant National Park, which is part of the larger Addo region. The third-largest national park in South Africa, Addo is the only national park in the world to be home to the African Big Seven (lion, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, great white shark, and southern right whale). The region ranges from the coastal waters and penguin and gannet islands to the spectacular Zuurberg Mountains, passing across towering sand dunes and through forest and bush.
Addo Elephant National Park
The centerpiece of the Addo region and one of the most visited destinations in the Eastern Cape is the Addo Elephant National Park. The park, which covers an area of 180 000 hectares and includes five of South Africa's eight biomes, is separated into seven sections: the Main Camp, Camp Matyholweni (Colchester), Zuurberg, Kabouga, Darlington, Nyati, and Woody Cape. This huge, diverse landscape is yours to explore. 2000 hectares were designated as a protected area in 1931 in order to conserve the 11 last Addo elephants. The Big Five (the Big Seven) now reside in the park. The park now encompasses the Alexandria Forest, Woody Cape Nature Reserve, the coastal breeding islands of Algoa Bay, and Darlington Dam in addition to an elephant population that has increased to about 600. It is a small piece of South African paradise, with a diversity of ecosystems supporting species that formerly roamed these areas freely. The coastal protected region is home to 60% of the African penguins in the world and more than 200 000 gannets, to name just a few of the 23 pelagic bird species on the park's 400+ birding list. Malaria-free Addo is a Big-Five destination with abundant game.
Paterson
We also have a small town called Paterson which is found near to the Addo Elephant National Parks north-eastern boundary, and next to the N10 main road that connects the Greater Addo Route to the Free State and, eventually, Gauteng. As you pass Paterson towards Gqeberha you will see one of the most well-known and recognizable landmarks in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, the Nanaga Farm Stall. In Eastern Cape, very few people—across all age ranges—can claim that Nanaga hasn't had a role in their lives. The fact that this farm stand has been operating for 40 years is amazing in and of itself, especially considering its humble beginnings. And the pies and “amarostile” are to blame for everything!
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Sundays River Valley Municipality
23 Middle Street Kirkwood 6120
Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm