Giyani
Giyani is the main town of the Greater Giyani Local Municipality and the administrative seat of the Mopani District Municipality in north-eastern Limpopo. The town is split into numbered sections (A to F) plus the leafy Kremetart suburb, and about 91 villages surround it. Most residents speak Xitsonga, and the town is a centre of Tsonga culture, known for the xibelani dance and for mopani worms (matomani) sold in the busy CBD, which locals call 'Benstore'. Masingita Mall and the older Giyani/Masingita Plaza complexes are the main shopping hubs.
History
Giyani was established in the 1960s as the capital of the Gazankulu homeland, on land belonging to the Homu royal family. The Risinga community was forcibly removed to make way for the new capital and resettled at the foot of Man'ombe Mountain. They later won back land, including the CBD and parts of several sections, through a government settlement. After 1994 Gazankulu was absorbed into Limpopo, and Giyani became the seat of the Mopani District Municipality.
Getting there
The R81 runs through Giyani and links it to Polokwane (about 185 km to the south-west, where it joins the N1 to Pretoria and Johannesburg) and to Malamulele in the north. North of town the R81 meets the R524, which leads to the Punda Maria gate of the Kruger National Park. Johannesburg is roughly 550 km away. Minibus taxis run from the Main (OBC) and Ndhambi taxi ranks to Tzaneen, Phalaborwa, Polokwane, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Weather & climate
Hot, sub-tropical bushveld climate. Summer highs reach about 41°C, and winter days peak around 25°C with cold nights. Rain falls mainly from September to March, and winter (dry season) runs from April to August.
Things to do
- Giyani Golf CourseBushveld golf course in town where zebra, giraffe and bushbuck are often seen on the fairways.
- Man'ombe Nature ReserveReserve about 6 km east of town at the foot of Man'ombe Mountain. Guided tours cover local history and a small Shangaan history museum, and the reserve has kudu, mountain zebra, giraffe, crocodile, waterbuck and impala. Chalets, a caravan park and picnic spots are available.
- Nsami DamDam just outside Giyani used for fishing, swimming, water sports and picnics, with a caravan park nearby.
Things to see
- Giyani CBD ('Benstore') informal marketBusy informal trading area in the town centre. Traders sell Tsonga food such as mopani worms (matomani) and tihove, along with pottery, beadwork, ceramics and wood carvings.
- Tsonga culture and xibelani danceGiyani is a heartland of Xitsonga culture. Local dance groups perform the xibelani, a skirt-swirling dance, at cultural events and festivals around the town.
Businesses in Giyani
Add your business →
All
Accommodation (22)Automotive (6)Business Services (5)Community & Government (7)Education (3)Food & Drink (9)Health & Wellness (11)IT & Electronics (3)Shopping (22)Transport & Logistics (2)
Ackermans Giyani Masingita Mall
Ackermans family clothing store in Masingita Mall.
Clothing & Fashion
Giyani, Limpopo
Bathu Masingita Mall
Bathu sneaker store in Masingita Mall, Giyani.
Clothing & Fashion
Giyani, Limpopo
Bradlows Giyani
Bradlows furniture, bedding and appliance store.
Shopping
Giyani, Limpopo
Build it Giyani
Build it building-materials and hardware store.
Hardware & Building Supplies
Giyani, Limpopo
Cashbuild Giyani Central
Cashbuild building-materials store in central Giyani.
Hardware & Building Supplies
Giyani, Limpopo
Cashbuild Giyani Masingita
Cashbuild building-materials store at the Masingita complex.
Hardware & Building Supplies
Giyani, Limpopo
Fashion World Giyani
Fashion World clothing store at the Masingita Centre.
Clothing & Fashion
Giyani, Limpopo
Giyani Plaza Shopping Centre
Older shopping centre in the Giyani CBD, home to Russells, Qualisave and other stores.
Shopping Centres
Giyani, Limpopo
John Craig Giyani Mall
John Craig menswear store in Masingita Mall.
Clothing & Fashion
Giyani, Limpopo
Markham Giyani
Markham menswear store at Bombani Plaza.
Clothing & Fashion
Giyani, Limpopo
Masingita Mall
Giyani's regional mall
Shopping Centres
Giyani, Limpopo
Mr Price Giyani
Mr Price clothing, footwear and accessories store in Masingita Mall.
Clothing & Fashion
Giyani, Limpopo
OK Furniture Giyani 2
OK Furniture store selling furniture, appliances and electronics.
Shopping
Giyani, Limpopo
Qualisave Giyani
Franchise supermarket in the Pick n Pay group, at Giyani Plaza.
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
Russells Giyani
Russells furniture and appliance store.
Shopping
Giyani, Limpopo
SaveMor Giyani
SaveMor grocery store on Giyani Main Road.
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
Shoprite Masingita Mall
Large Shoprite supermarket that opened in 2019, with a butchery, bakery, deli and fresh produce. Its Money Market count…
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
SUPERSPAR Giyani
SPAR supermarket on Malamulele Road in Giyani.
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
SUPERSPAR Mopani
SPAR supermarket on Giyani Main Road; the surrounding centre is also known as Standard Bank Square.
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
TOPS at SPAR Giyani
Liquor store linked to SUPERSPAR Giyani on Malamulele Road.
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
TOPS at SPAR Mopani
Liquor store linked to SUPERSPAR Mopani on Giyani Main Road.
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
Usave Giyani
Usave discount grocery store (Shoprite group).
Supermarkets & Groceries
Giyani, Limpopo
Property in Giyani
No property listed in Giyani yet. List a property.