Bushbuckridge Local Municipality lies in the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga, South Africa, though part of its area falls under Limpopo’s Mopani District for traditional-authority purposes. The 2022 census counted 750,821 residents over 10,248 km², up from 538,593 in 2011. Bushbuckridge (also called Mapulaneng) is the seat.
Towns and Villages in Bushbuckridge
This is one of the most densely settled rural municipalities in the province. GeoNames lists over 130 named places; the main ones by recorded population:
| Place | Type | Pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Mkhuhlu | Town | 42,969 |
| Calcutta | Village | 35,864 |
| Hlanganani | Village | 21,506 |
| Mafemani | Village | 20,389 |
| Thulamahashe | Village | 13,333 |
| Xikhusese | Village | 13,324 |
| Bolla-Tau | Village | 12,703 |
| Maboke | Village | 12,752 |
| Oakley | Village | 12,064 |
| Buyisonto | Village | 10,472 |
The full GeoNames list runs to 131 named places, from Mkhuhlu down to small forest-station settlements. Remaining places:
- Arthur’s Seat
- Bosbokrand
- Burlington
- Casteel
- Chavelgaza
- Chochocho
- Clare A
- Clare B
- Clare C
- Croquet Lawn A
- Croquet Lawn B
- Die Brug
- Dingleydale A
- Dingleydale B
- Dumfries A
- Dumfries B
- Dumfries C
- Edinburgh A
- Edinburgh B
- Eglington A
- Eglington B
- eMakhazeni B
- Exeter
- Fayini
- Ga-Boelang
- Ga-Josepha
- Godide
- Gottenburg
- Gqweta
- Graigieburn
- Green Valley
- Hlalakahle
- Hlavekisa
- Hoxani
- Humulani
- Inyati
- Islington
- Jim Brown
- Jongilanga
- Kgapamadi
- Khomanani
- Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
- Kumana
- Mabharule
- Madras A
- Madyembeni
- Mahlobyanini
- Mahukule B
- Malamule
- Mamelodi
- Mangwazi
- Manyakatana
- Manyeleti Game Reserve
- Mapaleng A
- Mapaleng B
- Mapulaneng View
- Mariepskop State Forest
- Masakeng
- Masana
- Matsavana
- Matshaye
- Maviljan A
- Maviljan B
- Mbangwane
- Mhlaba
- Mission
- Moloro
- Morea
- Morolaneng
- Motlamogale
- Motlamogatsane
- Mphenyatsatsi
- New Forest B
- New Line
- Orinoco A
- Orinoco B
- Orinoco C
- Pelindaba
- Rabelaisruskamp
- Relani
- Rivoni
- Rooiboklaagte A
- Rooiboklaagte B
- Rulani
- Sabi-Sand Game Reserve
- Sabie Park
- Salique State Forest
- Sekrepeng
- Setlhake
- Seville A
- Seville B
- Seville C
- Shata
- Silinda
- Sparta
- Tasakani
- Teka Mahala
- Thabakgolo
- Thorndale
- Thornybush Game Reserve
- Timbavati
- Tiyimeleni A
- Tiyimeleni B
- Tsakani
- Tshunelani A
- Tshunelani B
- Tswafeng
- Umbabat Nature Reserve
- Utlha A
- Utlha B
- Varty
- Violet Bank
- Violetbank A
- Violetbank B
- Violetbank D
- Wales
Geography
Bushbuckridge stretches from the Drakensberg escarpment lowveld east toward Kruger National Park, whose southern section falls within municipal boundaries. It borders Mopani District in Limpopo to the north, Mbombela and Nkomazi to the south, Thaba Chweu to the west, and Maruleng in Limpopo to the northwest.
Demographics
Population grew from 538,593 at the 2011 census to 750,821 at the 2022 census, a rise of nearly 40 percent, among the fastest-growing municipalities in Mpumalanga. Most residents live in the densely packed former-homeland villages of the eastern lowveld rather than in formal towns — a legacy of Bushbuckridge’s history straddling the former Gazankulu and Lebowa homelands before 1994. Mkhuhlu and Calcutta are the two largest of these village clusters.
Economy and Local Life
Commercial forestry (pine and bluegum plantations), tobacco, cotton, sub-tropical fruit and vegetable farming support the local economy, alongside tourism and wildlife management linked to the Kruger National Park and adjoining private reserves such as Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Thornybush. Many residents also commute to Nelspruit and Hazyview for work, given limited formal employment within the municipality itself. Subsistence farming and small-scale trading remain important in the more rural villages.
Getting There
The R533 and R40 routes link Bushbuckridge town to Hazyview and the Kruger National Park’s Orpen and Paul Kruger gates. The R40 also runs north into Limpopo toward Hoedspruit. The municipality is roughly 60 km east of Nelspruit (Mbombela) and its Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and about 500 km northeast of Johannesburg via the N4 and R40.
FAQ
What is the seat of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality?
Bushbuckridge, also known as Mapulaneng.
How many towns and villages does Bushbuckridge have?
GeoNames records 131 named places, one of the highest counts of any Mpumalanga municipality.
What is the population of Bushbuckridge?
750,821 at the 2022 census, up from 538,593 in 2011.
Which district and province is Bushbuckridge in?
Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga (bordering Mopani District, Limpopo).
What is Bushbuckridge’s economy based on?
Forestry, subtropical farming and tourism tied to Kruger National Park.
Which private game reserves lie in Bushbuckridge?
Parts of Sabi Sand, Klaserie, Timbavati, Thornybush and Umbabat, all bordering Kruger National Park.