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
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MTN Store Masingita Mall
MTN store for mobile contracts, devices and data in Masingita Mall.
Internet & Fibre
Giyani, Limpopo
PEP Cell Giyani Masingita Mall
PEP Cell store selling cellphones, airtime and data in Masingita Mall.
Internet & Fibre
Giyani, Limpopo
Vodacom Shop Giyani
Vodacom store for mobile contracts, devices and data.
Internet & Fibre
Giyani, Limpopo
Property in Giyani
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