User talk:Htonl

High percentage of whites in Kruger Park
There seems to be a very high percentage of whites in the Limpopo portion of the Kruger Park. Is this an artefact of tourists being in the park during the census, or something else? Even then, given the presence of black game rangers and support staff it seems slightly implausable, though not entirely unlikely. Park3r (talk) 03:46, 9 March 2021 (UTC)
 * that's actually an artefact of using wards as the unit of area for that map: the ward that covers that part of the KNP also includes a chunk of Phalaborwa town. Most of the population of the ward is in the town, of course. It's an example of the modifiable areal unit problem. I have been thinking about redoing that map [edit: that series of maps] to use regular hexagonal cells as in these examples. - htonl (talk) 11:42, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

I need help with editing
I see that you added an entry to the List of solved missing person cases, good job! I was wondering if you could help me add some entries to that list as well. I have my hands full with editing and really could use some help. I would also be VERY thankful to get some as doing all this editing by myself is a lot of work. Davidgoodheart (talk) 01:41, 29 March 2021 (UTC)

Queering Wikipedia 2021 User Group Working Days: May 14–16
The Wikimedia LGBTQ+ User Group is holding online working days in May. As a member of WikiProject LGBT studies, editing on LGBTQ+ issues or if you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, come help us set goals, develop our organisation and structures, consider how to respond to issues faced by Queer editors, and plan for the next 12 months.

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South Africa Metropolitan Road Markings
Hi, I saw that you have added most of South Africa’s road signs on all National, Regional as-well as Metropolitan signs for Johannesburg, Cape Town and other Metropolitan Road markings. I noticed that for Cape Towns Metropolitan routes, it stopes at the “M13 Sign”, I was wondering if you could finish them, or tell and teach me how you create them. TapticInfo (talk) 08:59, 1 May 2021 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:Mpumalanga provincial election, 1994
Template:Mpumalanga provincial election, 1994 has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Gonnym (talk) 10:24, 29 June 2021 (UTC)

South African railway templates
I'm doing some cleanup work on RDTs and ran across five orphaned South African templates that you created:


 * Stellenbosch Loop route diagram
 * Ceres branch route diagram
 * Pretoria-Maputo route diagram
 * Selati line route diagram
 * Pretoria-Beitbridge route diagram

Are there articles these could be used in or were you planning on doing anything further with them? Thanks, Mackensen (talk) 12:04, 14 August 2021 (UTC)


 * I was once planning to write articles on them but not likely to get around to it any time soon. If you want to get them out of the Template namespace you're welcome to move them into my userspace. - htonl (talk) 12:11, 14 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the quick reply; I've userfied all five. Mackensen (talk) 12:28, 14 August 2021 (UTC)

There’s A South African Discord Server
Hi, we are excited to officially launch the Wikimedia South Africa Discord server.

Discord is a platform for individuals to share and communicate ideas.

Please join us for the 12th official South African online meet up Meetup/South Africa/South Africa 12 which is Going to be held on the 30th of October 2021, from 10:00 AM SAST to 12 PM SAST.

If you have any questions feel free to ask On my talk page User talk:TapticInfo.

TapticInfo (talk) 17:34, 13 October 2021 (UTC)

Mentioned on Administrator's Noticeboard
Hey Htonl, just wanted to let you know I mentioned you on the [|Administrator's Noticeboard] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Desertambition (talk • contribs) 18:49, 29 December 2021 (UTC)

Census Implementation Tools - Request For Quote
Don't know if you are interested in this but thought I would send to you. See link [] Regards Conlinp (talk) 08:56, 10 January 2022 (UTC)

South African Discord
Hi Htonl, I would like to invite you to the Wikimedia South Africa Discord Server.

Discord allows instant text, voice and video communication and is used for all the South Africa Wikipedians monthly meetups.

See Meetup/South Africa, the next one is on 26 February 2022 at 10:00am SAST Meetup/South_Africa/South_Africa_15

TapticInfo (talk) 09:56, 31 January 2022 (UTC)

Queering Wikipedia Conference 2022
Since I know this is a topic you care about I thought you might like to know about the upcoming Queering Wikipedia Conference 2022.--Discott (talk) 16:40, 8 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks! - htonl (talk) 17:36, 8 March 2022 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:MEC lines
Template:MEC lines has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Frietjes (talk) 16:34, 10 May 2022 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-Dbn
Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-Dbn has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Gonnym (talk) 10:22, 11 May 2022 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-EL
Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-EL has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Gonnym (talk) 10:22, 11 May 2022 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-PE
Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-PE has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Gonnym (talk) 10:22, 11 May 2022 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:S-line/SMeyl right/Jhb-Dbn
Template:S-line/SMeyl right/Jhb-Dbn has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Gonnym (talk) 10:22, 11 May 2022 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-Dbn
Template:S-line/SMeyl left/Jhb-Dbn has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. Gonnym (talk) 10:22, 11 May 2022 (UTC)

South African MPs
Hi, Htonl. I trust all is well. Last night, I turned the last red link on Template:Current MPs of South Africa blue, now every single current* Member of the National Assembly of South Africa has a Wikipedia article. Now the reason, I am writing to you is because of this: List of National Assembly members of the 27th Parliament of South Africa. The list-article is outdated, incomplete and inaccurate. I want to know if it is possible to develop a script to transfer all of the Members' info (their names, parties, and the lists from which they are elected) and membership changes from these links (Parliament of South Africa and Parliamentary Monitoring Group) to the list-article. I would do it manually, but it would take weeks/months to create a table with 400 MPs, their info and membership changes. Can you help me? The last script you created to upload all of the election results from the municipal elections really helped a lot. Best, Lefcentreright  Discuss  10:30, 17 June 2022 (UTC)


 * It's definitely possible to set something up. What layout/format did you have in mind for the resulting article? htonl (talk) 11:42, 17 June 2022 (UTC)


 * Thanks for responding. I really like the formats used in the List of members of the Riksdag, 2018–2022 and the List of members of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa (2021–2026). The List of members of the twenty-fourth Knesset has a really nice section detailing all the membership changes since the election. Lefcentreright  Discuss  13:26, 17 June 2022 (UTC)


 * I'm preparing the table but in working through it I came across Thokozani Langa which is an article about a maskandi musician. I think that the EFF MP of the same name is not the same person, though I am not 100% sure. Perhaps you could look into that - I am of course not going to write articles on MPs given my conflict of interest. - htonl (talk) 20:26, 18 June 2022 (UTC)
 * The table is available for you to use in my sandbox. Let me know if you want anything changed about it. - htonl (talk) 21:46, 18 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Hi, there. I checked and found out that Thokozani Langa, the Maskandi singer, is not an EFF MP. I then created a page for the EFF MP found here: Thokozani Langa (politician). I then renamed Ponani Makhubele and Tammy Wessels. I really like both tables in your sandbox. Thank you. Lefcentreright  Discuss  22:54, 18 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks! I have updated the links in the table. Will try to complete the "changes" table tomorrow. htonl (talk) 23:01, 18 June 2022 (UTC)
 * The changes table is complete. I also added the two DA MPs recently appointed to fill vacancies, who weren't reflected on the April list but are mentioned in the Minutes which I have added to the references section. htonl (talk) 18:53, 19 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Thank you, Htonl! It looks amazing. I have copied/pasted it onto the main article. Lefcentreright  Discuss  21:30, 20 June 2022 (UTC)

South Africa Election Maps - Resources?
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get a voting districts shapefile for ? I'm hoping to create something similar myself and have only been able to find a csv of results–as a monolingual English speaker [:(] searching has been difficult. Thank you! Jujubeecat (talk) 02:48, 23 June 2022 (UTC)

Wikimania 2022 in South Africa
Wikimania 2022 is almost here (11-14 August 2022) and will be held entirely online this year with the exception of a number of local mini-Wikimania's for local community members. I just wanted to let you know that two local Wikimania mini-events will be happening in South Africa; one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. Participants will be able to attend both the international event from these local events. If you are interested, available and in the area at the time we would be delighted to have you join us. For more information please checkout the South Africa mini-event page here. You can also fill out the interest form here. Discott (talk) 09:43, 15 July 2022 (UTC)

Picture of Marlene van Staden
Hi, Htonl. Can you please upload a picture of Marlene van Staden, the DA mayor in Modimolle/Mookgophong? I had nominated the article for DYK and it was promoted, so now the article will appear in the Template:Did you know on the main page very soon. Best, Jan-Hendrik Lefcentreright  Discuss  14:20, 20 July 2022 (UTC)

Towns in Collins Chabane Local Municipality?
Hi Htonl! Can you please check for me and confirm which places are in Collins Chabane Local Municipality? I think I'm mudled up now, like Hlanganani and Elim/Waterval!! Thanks in advance. Aliwal2012 (talk) 09:38, 9 August 2022 (UTC)

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Membership tables for the National Assembly of the 26th Parliament
Hi, Htonl. I trust you are well, despite the continuous loadshedding (It's off for more than 10 hours a day here in Paarl). Last year, you made excellent tables denoting the current composition and membership changes of the National Assembly of the 27th Parliament. Can you please do it for the National Assembly of the 26th Parliament as well? Here is a link from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (As on 20 March 2019 LIST OF MEMBERS (alphabetical) 5 th Parliament) denoting all the members of the National Assembly of the 26th Parliament and more. Best,   Lefcentreright     Discuss    22:36, 13 January 2023 (UTC)


 * Sure. I am thinking I will likely adopt a slightly different format though. For the 27th Parliament, being current, it makes sense for the main list to be a list of incumbent members. For a previous parliament I think it will make more sense to have a consolidated list of everyone who has been a member at some point during the term - showing the vacancy details where relevant. htonl (talk) 12:11, 14 January 2023 (UTC)
 * I have started setting up the table in my sandbox. htonl (talk) 16:46, 15 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Hi, Htonl. I have looked at the table in your sandbox and it's exactly how I envisioned it would look like. Thank you for taking the time to create the table. I have set myself the goal of creating an article for every post-1994 MP by the end of 2024. Hopefully, it materialises!   Lefcentreright     Discuss    20:43, 15 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Hello, Htonl. I trust all is well. I recently added membership tables for the List of National Assembly members of the 25th Parliament of South Africa. I used a different format than the one currently being in your sandbox. My concern is now for the 24th Parliament (2004–2009); there were two floor-crossing periods, in 2005 and 2007, and the archived page on the Parliamentary Monitoring Group is really difficult to figure out. For instance, how would I summarise the following in the membership table: "'Mr M Diko’s membership (UDM - National) was terminated wef 31 August 2005. His membership was restored by order of the High Court wef 15 September 2005. He left the UDM (UIF – floor‑crossing list 2005) on 15 September 2005 in terms of item 4(3)(a) of Schedule 6A to the Constitution and joined the United Independent Front. Passed away on 28 July 2006. Replaced by Ms Z A Ndlazi wef 15 August 2007. She left the UIF (ANC - floor‑crossing list 2007) on 12 September 2007 in terms of item 4(3)(a) of Schedule 6A to the Constitution and joined the ANC."


 * Is there perhaps a script that can be used to sort it out? Best,   Lefcentreright     Discuss    19:21, 4 March 2023 (UTC)

Map of Bophuthatswana
It remains to specify the year and the external limit of the transfer located to the north west of the town of Madibogo, in the district of Ditsobotla. Jacinto-Miróbriga (talk) 00:20, 14 May 2023 (UTC)


 * Well spotted! Thank you. I have uploaded a new version of the map with those labels added. htonl (talk) 01:51, 14 May 2023 (UTC)
 * May I ask where you got the data for the borders of the former Bantustans? I’m trying to make a series of maps for my thesis and I’m having difficulty trying to track down any shapefiles or other data that I can verify well enough to be able to use in an academic context. SmallMossie (talk) 13:18, 6 October 2023 (UTC)
 * For the TBVC countries I actually digitized the borders at the time of nominal independence plus all the border changes from independence to 1994. I did this by reference to primary source documentation - treaties between RSA and the "independent" states, acts of Parliament and various proclamations - as well as official mapping from the Trig Survey Office. The data and source details can be found in this GitHub repository.
 * For the other, non-"independent" homelands (as for example in File:Bantustans in South Africa.svg) the best source I have is a shapefile which Aslam Parker of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform shared on the OSGeo-Africa mailing list in 2012. Direct link to the file is here. htonl (talk) 14:10, 6 October 2023 (UTC)
 * @Htonl: Thank you very much! I will take a look at those links (especially the GitHub repo) over the weekend. I had come across the shapefile from the OSGeo mailing list before, but was unsure of the provenance. SmallMossie (talk) 15:05, 6 October 2023 (UTC)

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South Africa 2011 population density map raw data
Hi, I'd like to know if I could please get access to the raw data/ GIS file that was used to create the map:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Africa_2011_population_density_map.svg. I'm currently doing my PhD and require a 2011 population density map of South Africa. I'd appreciate any help you can provide, thanks. 146.232.65.124 (talk) 11:41, 10 October 2023 (UTC)

South Africa’s 2022 Census
Hi, I saw that you'd updated the populations of the Provinces of South Africa. If you haven't done so already, would you mind looking over (and if appropriate, revising) some of the tables at Demographics of South Africa ? Thanks. —— Shakescene (talk) 13:30, 16 October 2023 (UTC)

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Inclusion of Marion Island to Ward 115 of Cape Town
Hi, we noticed that you added that Marion Island has been added to Ward 115 of Cape Town, but there is no citation. What source did you use to make this update? We have searched high and low but we cannot find any information that would suggest that Marion Island has been added to Ward 115 of Cape Town.

Please contact me on [EMAIL REDACTED].

197.184.180.143 (talk) 20:08, 16 February 2024 (UTC)


 * Not going to reply to emails, but if you happen to come back here, the source is the Prince Edward Islands Act which states that, "For the purposes of the administration of justice, and in general for the application of the laws of the Union, the Territory shall be deemed [...] to form part of the electoral division which includes the harbour of the City of Cape Town." - htonl (talk) 16:36, 17 February 2024 (UTC)

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Western Cape provincial election map
Hi Htonl I noticed that you made good election result maps for the 2009 Western Cape provincial election and for the 2014 Western Cape provincial election. However the 2019 Western Cape provincial election didn't have any election result map. I was wondering could you make a map for 2019 election and the incoming 2024 elections. Thanks.Muaza Husni (talk) 04:58, 13 May 2024 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:Cape Town freeways
Template:Cape Town freeways has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. – Jonesey95 (talk) 17:35, 27 June 2024 (UTC)

NCOP Special Delegates
Hello, I saw you were able to calculate the numbers of special delegates in the NCOP after the 2019 election. Would you be able to do that again for the 2024 election? Thank you for your service! Danishbro (talk) 04:51, 10 July 2024 (UTC)


 * I have done it. - htonl (talk) 12:11, 10 July 2024 (UTC)

Metropolitan Municipality GeoJSON / Shapefile Request
Hi @Htonl! I'm glad I found your Wikipedia presence. I hope to get in touch with you this way! I'm working on a geospatial data science project, and I have noticed that building addresses are very hard to come by and construct. Fortunately, I have a number of house numbers and street names, but when it comes to placing these in cities or municipalities, it gets tricky. I saw that you uploaded the metro municipalities for regions in South Africa - such as here:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Maps_of_South_African_municipalities#/media/File:Map_of_the_Western_Cape_with_Cape_Town_highlighted_(2016).svg

Do you have the same Shapefiles / GeoJSON that I can use for my project?

Thanks! Frosty2042 (talk) 23:01, 17 July 2024 (UTC)


 * Hi @Frosty2042. The municipal boundaries can be downloaded from the Municipal Demarcation Board's data portal here: https://dataportal-mdb-sa.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/27bbdd5b041b4ba6b5707dfed5aa3923_0/explore htonl (talk) 08:01, 18 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Hi @Htonl thanks for the link - I'm confused about what's missing from the dataset, though. The table view says, "Showing 25 of 213 rows", but there should be 257 rows...
 * > South Africa has 257 metropolitan, district and local municipalities. This number comprises eight metropolitan, 44 district and 205 local municipalities.
 * https://www.gov.za/about-government/government-system/local-government#Municipalities
 * As I typed that out - I realized what the answer is! 205 + 8 = 213.
 * Local municipalities are inside of district municipalities. I think where my confusion came from was an understanding that metropolitan municipalities were not local municipalities, but maybe that's wrong? Frosty2042 (talk) 15:45, 18 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Metropolitan municipalities aren't local municipalities, correct, but the way this is handled in the boundary data is that metros are included in both the "local municipality" dataset and the "district municipality", dataset because they occupy both levels in the hierarchy. So you've understood it correctly, the dataset I linked has 205 local + 8 metro municipalities. If you look at the district municipalities data on the same site it has 52 records - 44 district + 8 metro. htonl (talk) 16:26, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

Longshot ask: Postal Address Database Request
Hey @Htonl, I figured this is a longshot ask from you, but I was wondering if you have any knowledge about either a postal address database, or a database that characterizes where buildings are with addresses and has data on if those buildings are residential, commercial, etc. If not that, do you happen to know about any shapefiles that describe how the land is zoned? In other words, do you know of any zoning feature servers?

If you don't happen to have this type of information on hand, do you know where I can look next?

Thanks! Frosty2042 (talk) 02:27, 19 July 2024 (UTC)


 * For addresses, the main open data source that I know of is the Stats SA dwelling frame. You can grab a version of this data from the link here.
 * Zoning is a local government competence so each municipality will maintain its own zoning data, and the accesibility of that data varies from place to place. I know where to find that data for Cape Town ( and ). If there is a dataset for the whole country it will be some commercial provider who has taken on the task of collecting 200+ sets of data from all the municipalities. htonl (talk) 09:16, 19 July 2024 (UTC)