About Lephalale

Lephalale, formerly known as Ellisras, sits on the Limpopo River in the Waterberg district and has been transformed since the 2000s by Eskom's Medupi Power Station, the largest dry-cooled coal-fired power station in the world, built alongside the older Matimba station and fed by the vast Grootegeluk coal mine on the town's doorstep. That construction boom turned a quiet farming and hunting district into one of Limpopo's fastest-growing towns, drawing workers and contractors from across the country and reshaping suburbs like Marapong, which was built to house mine and power station employees. Beyond the coal and power infrastructure, Lephalale remains a gateway to Waterberg bushveld game farms and safari lodges, with the Mokolo Dam supplying both the power stations and local irrigation. The tension between its industrial coal economy and its wildlife-tourism surroundings defines the town's character today.

Lephalale opens the stretch with the Lephalale Mall Community Run bringing runners out this week. Industry visitors follow with the MTE Lephalale 2026 exhibition, while food lovers can book into Skaapkopete @ Hardekool Akademie. November brings early festive cheer with the SAVF ELLISRAS KERSMARK 2026, and December closes out with the MOSADI BASADING DAYTIME PICNIC Vintage Edition at Harriss Car Wash + Shisanyama.