Richtersveld is part of Little Namaqualand, the part of Namaqualand south of the Garib River. The original inhabitants of Namaqualand were overwhelmingly Khoi Khoi, but also included some San people.

During the 19th century, other people started settling in Little Namaqualand. These included some white Trekboere, and also a number of so-called basters. Missionaries too started showing an interest in Little Namaqualand. The Renisch Mission Society established a mission station under the charge of Reverend Hein at Kuboes during the mid 19th century.

On 23 December 1847 the British Crown, through annexation, extended the northern boundary of the then Cape Province from the Buffels River up to the Garib River. From that date the whole of Little Namaqualand (including the Richtersveld) became subject to British rule.

In 1925 diamonds were discovered near Port Nolloth. In 1927 a particularly rich deposit was found at the mouth of the Garib River at Alexander Bay. Many people moved into the area.

The 2011 census divided the municipality into the following main places:

The municipal council consists of seven members elected by mixed-member proportional representation. Four councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in four wards, while the remaining three are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received. In the election of 3 August 2016 the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of four seats on the council. The following table shows the results of the election.

...
Wikipedia