Phola is a populated place in the Emalahleni Local Municipality, Nkangala District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

Phola
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceMpumalanga
DistrictNkangala
MunicipalityEmalahleni
Area
 • Total6.35 km2 (2.45 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total31,885
 • Density5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African98.3%
 • Coloured0.61%
 • White African0.53%
 • Indian or Asian0.22%
 • Other0.26%
First languages (2011)
 • isiZulu58%
 • isiNdebele15.3%
 • Sepedi5.4%
 • SiSwati4.6%
 • Xitsonga3.6%
 • isiXhosa3.4%
 • Sesotho2.5%
 • English2.2%
 • Sign language0.2%
 • Other3.5%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
PO box
868017

As of the 2011 census, Phola had a population of 31,885 distributed across 8,913 households.[1]

History edit

On 28 February 2017, protests took place in Phola over the issue of employment. One of the key demands was for more business opportunities and skill development centres in the area, as many looking for employment had to work at cities elsewhere. The protesters constructed road barricades out of burning tyres and set fire to several vehicles, including a bus. The local law enforcement made ten arrests and charged them with public violence.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Phola". Census 2011.
  2. ^ Maseko, Solly (2 March 2017) Phola on fire. Witbank News. Retrieved 29 May 2021.