MOAMBA PROFILE

SITUATION ANALYZES OF MOAMBA

DISTRICT

1. Introduction
Moamba is a district, situated in the northern part of the province of
Maputo and the distance from Moamba to Maputo, the capital of
Mozambique is 75 Km. In administrative political and territorial
context, the districts in Mozambique are essential administrative and
territorial unities with its economic and social activity. Moamba itself
encloses four Administrative posts: Moamba, Pessene, Pessano Garcia
and Sbie.
The geographical localization closed to the big city (Maputo) and its
mix of rural and urban activities determines Moamba as a typical
peri-urban area. (http://periurban14.org/).

2. Geographical Localization
Moamba district, with an area of 4,628 km2 has a configuration of a
triangle and extends in South North direction to 150 km reaching the
River Massintonto which represents the
natural boundaries between the
Moamba and the Magude district
(Fig.1). In the South it is a neighbor
with Namaacha and Boane districts
The East - West extension is about 61
km in a parallel with Sabie River. At
the east site of Moamba districts are
situated Manhia and Marracuene

districts. The west margin of Moamba district follows the artificial line
of the Mozambican boundary with South Africa.

Figure 1 Geographical Localization of Moamba district

The geographical position of Moamba only 75 km away from the

capital (crossed by the National Road EN2 / 4, being reconstructed
and broadened at the moment) and the closeness to South Africa, is a
great opportunity for materials, markets and know-how exchange and
an essential factor for Moambas development. Up to now this
advantages doesnt seem to be efficiently explored.

3. Natural Resources of the Moamba district.

Moamba has abundant natural resources which are still unexplored
but could contribute for the well-being of its habitants as well as for
the population of the whole Maputo Province.
Geological Review
There are several geological formations dating from the
sedimentation from the karro geological period, volcanic rocks
(rhyolites, basalts and volcanic tuffs) and sandstone conglomerate. All
they play an essential role for the formation of the Moamba soils. In
Moamba district exist predominantly the following types of soils:
alluvial, red soils, pedoclicos, grizzly, the hydromorphic (Gouveia and
Azevedo, 1949) .
Alluvial soils, localized on the valleys of the Sbie and Incomati rivers
and the soils of basaltic origin, characterized by good texture, vary
from average to high fertility, with a good fitness, quite propitious for
agriculture. The rest of the soils available in the district are not so

fertile. The red soils are subdivided into: red on the basalt and red
Namaacha soils. The red soils on basalt are characterized by having a
surface layer, reddish-brown, sometimes very dark, loamy and
graininess. Red soils of Namaacha type occur with a certain
representation in Moamba with thin and skeletal characteristics.
The relief in the Moamba district is represented mainly by valleys and
light planes with average altitudes between 60 and 80 meters; small
elevations of 80 and 170 meters going up and towards the west and
hilly areas with elevations that rise abruptly to altitudes between 200
and 400 meters, forming an elongation of the chain Lebombo.
The predominantly plain characteristic of the Moambas relief
represents one more positive factor for agricultural development and
facilitating the mechanization of the agricultural activities.
Hydrological Resources
The territory of the Moamba district is crossed by Incomati River,
building one of the 13 most important basins of Mozambique . The
Incomati river origins in the plateau Transvaal, South Africa and enters
in the Mozambican, respectively Moamba districts territory through
Komatipoort and flows close to the town of Moamba by. Both of the
Incomati tributaries Massintoto and Sbie river flow in the north part
of the Moamba district. The flow regime of these rivers has its high
point in the rainy season from December to April and from January to
March for the Sbie river, supplied by the rainwater in this period and
virtually disappearing in the dry season.
The Incomati basin supplies the Sabie-Incomti irrigation system and
hydro power
Corumana, and on the Sabie River was built the hydroelectric dam
Corumana.
According to the Report about the Water resources of Mozambique ,
besides superficial water, the country is endowed with groundwater.

Groundwater potential is prevalent in the alluvial formations of the

various rivers. A considerable portion of groundwater is in the
Zambezi and Incomati basins.
Climate characteristics
The climate of Moamba is characterized as a typical savanna with two
stations: one with warm higher temperatures and pronounced rainfall from
October to March, the cool season stretches from April to September.
The average precipitation is around 570 - 580 mm with an incidence between December
to February. The average annual temperatures range from 23 to 24 C The average
annual potential evaporation is high with about 1,433 mm to 1,500 mm. these values
have a slight variation in ascending order between Sabie, Ressano Garcia and Moamba
Headquarters. These dates show the not very high precipitation of the area and the need
of a good irrigation system for the development of successful agriculture. The
requirements for water supply are even much higher during the dry season.
Flora and Fauna Resources
As a savanna area, Moamba has the typical lowland forest vegetation.

4. Historical review
According to the profile of the district of Moamba (made by the
Ministry of State Administration of the Republic of Mozambique), by
1730 the village of Moamba was inhabited by a small independent

tribe chiefs Rongas. Also Tsongas originated crossing with

Macarangas. Later, about 1810 to 1816 Manucusse accompanied by
large numbers of Ngunes, Zulus and Swazis entered through Maputo
following Catembe and Lebombo mountains and penetrated the
Moamba land across the river Incomti. By the time Tchangane tribes
where now stands the station Railways Incomti, having spent Mavila
for heights Corumane without encounter resistance. In this context,
the native population of the land of Moamba is difficult to determine.
The Portuguese occupation of the lands of Moamba dated from 1833,
with the construction of the first commercial settlements. The trade
activity increased significantly in 1927 - 1929 and the headquarters
were located in the district town of Sbie. Also at this time the town of
Moamba was then known for the fifty three km of rail line PretoriaMaputo. Because of the utmost
importance of the railway, the
headquarters of the district passed to
Moamba .
In 1964, by Ordinance No. 17/731 of
April 18, the village of Moamba was
elevated to Vila with 34 brick houses.
Figure 2 Inauguration of the new railway, Moamba 1929

5.
6.Demographical review
Demographical analyzes
Social Facts
Agriculture
Development and Potential

Table Population of Moamba District and Administrative Posts

(Source: Statistical National Institute CD-ROM Maputo 2000)