Lephalale is a coal mining town located in the Limpopo province of South Africa. It is situated immediately east of the Waterberg Coalfield and serves as a key industrial hub for the region's mineral resources.
The town was originally established in 1960 under the name Ellisras, which was named after Patrick Ellis and Piet Erasmus, two individuals who settled on a local farm during the 1930s. In 2002, the provincial government of Limpopo renamed the municipality to Lephalale.
The name Lephalale is derived from the Setswana language and translates to "to flow." This name refers to the main river that crosses the municipality.