Bushbuckridge

The name "Bushbuck Ridge" was given due to the large herds of bushbuck present in the area in the 1880s and a distinctive west-northwest to east-southeast ridge in the southeastern part of the municipality. From 1995 to 2000, the citizens of Bushbuckridge were involved in a dispute with the government, demanding the area's inclusion in Mpumalanga province. This led to violent protests, including stay-aways, road blockades with burning tires, and destruction of property. A cabinet decision in 1998 approved the transfer, which was legally enacted in 2000 after President Thabo Mbeki amended the Constitution. == Geography ==

Bushbuckridge is located in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga, South Africa, with coordinates 24°28′S 31°32′E. The Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, of which the town is the seat, is the largest local municipality in Mpumalanga by land size, covering an area of 10,250 km² (3,960 sq mi). It is bordered by the Mopani District Municipality of Limpopo Province to the north, Mozambique to the east, Mbombela and Nkomazi Local Municipalities to the south, and Thaba Chweu and Maruleng Local Municipalities to the west. The municipality comprises 135 settlements and is divided into 37 wards. == Demographics ==

The "sub place" known as Bushbuckridge NU, which includes the suburbs and rural areas south of the town, had a population of 1,070 in 2011, covering an area of 1,587.56 square kilometres (613 sq mi). This represents an average annual growth rate of 3.23% in 2022. == Education ==

The Bushbuckridge Local Municipality has an extensive educational infrastructure, with 139 primary schools and 170 secondary schools, totalling 309 schools. Within the immediate Bushbuckridge town area, there are approximately 84 schools. Primary and secondary education Examples of primary schools in the area include Barney Primary, Dilayi Lower And Higher Primary, Diphaswa Primary, Farel Primary, Hananani Primary, Hlalakahle Primary, Ludlow Primary, Mahlathi Primary, Matikinya Higher Primary, Mtembeni Primary, and Welverdiend Primary. Hlangalezwe Primary School, for instance, has five mobile classrooms, four permanent brick-and-mortar classrooms, a kitchen, and a combination of enviroloo and waterborne ablution facilities, serving 360 learners. Higher education The region is also served by higher education institutions: Wits Rural Facility (WRF): A rural campus of the University of the Witwatersrand, established in 1989. Although located in the central lowveld of Limpopo Province, it is near the Mpumalanga border and flanked by the rural communities of the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. The WRF serves as a base for rural-focused research, student training (especially postgraduates), and community outreach, particularly in savanna ecology and conservation. Its infrastructure includes accommodation, seminar facilities, a restaurant, and laboratories. Ehlanzeni TVET College - Mthimba Campus: A vocational college located near Hazyview within the Ehlanzeni District, bordering the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. It began as an NGO in 1990 and became part of Ehlanzeni TVET College in 2000-2001. The campus serves 430 students and offers programmes such as NC(V) Primary Agriculture and Report 191 Farm Management N4 – N6, aligning with the region's agricultural economy. Educational challenges in Bushbuckridge are linked to socio-economic conditions. In 2009, the matriculation pass rate for Bushbuckridge was 28.2%, significantly below the national average, partly due to teacher vacancies and limited laboratory facilities. The municipality faces a high unemployment rate of 50.1%, with over 85% of the population living below the poverty line, leading many families to rely on Child Support Grants. Malnutrition, evidenced by an increase in stunting rates, further impairs children's learning abilities and long-term employment prospects. == Healthcare ==

Healthcare in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality is provided by a network of hospitals and primary healthcare clinics. Hospitals Mapulaneng Hospital: A 24-hour hospital in Mansana Trust, Bushbuckridge, offering services including Family Medicine, Primary Healthcare, Rehabilitation, General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Eye care, and Geriatrics. Tintswalo Hospital: A 24-hour facility in Tintswalo Village, Acornhoek, within the municipality, providing comprehensive medical services similar to Mapulaneng Hospital. Manzini Clinic: Located in Chochocho Trust, operating for 8 hours. Makoko Clinic: Located in Kabokweni, operating for 8 hours. cottondale Clinic:operating for 8 hours. The presence of multiple 24-hour hospitals and primary healthcare clinics indicates a substantial healthcare infrastructure, which is crucial given the high levels of poverty, unemployment, and the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the municipality. == Economy and commerce ==

The economy of Bushbuckridge includes commercial farming and a developing retail sector. The municipality's countryside features commercial farming, including pine and bluegum plantations, tobacco, cotton, sub-tropical fruits, and vegetables. Twin City Shopping Centre: Another prominent retail complex in Bushbuckridge, located on R40 Twin City Shopping Complex, Marijane A. It hosts major retailers, including a SUPERSPAR and Furnmart. Ximhungwe Shopping Complex: An existing formal retail centre with a GLA of 2,600m², serving its catchment area with primary tenants including SPAR, TOPS, independent line shops, and a salon. Kildare Shopping Centre (Planned): A future development in Kildare village, within the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, intended to reduce retail outflow from the area to other towns. Despite commercial development, the municipality faces a high unemployment rate of 50.1%, indicating that existing economic sectors are not generating sufficient employment opportunities for the available workforce. This contributes to high poverty levels and reliance on social grants. ==Notable people==

• Frank Chikane (1951), civil servant, writer and cleric • Themba Godi - politician, former member of the Parliament of South Africa • Ronald Lamola - Minister of Justice and Correctional Services • Letago Madiba - South Africa women's national football team player • Jeff Maluleke - musician • Sasekani Manzini - Mpumalanga MEC for Health • Katlego Mashego - member South Africa national football team • Mzilikazi wa Afrika - investigative journalist • Hungani Ndlovu - actor • Brighton Ngoma - actor • David Nyathi - former South Africa national football team player, coach • Sam Nzima - photographer, who took what became the well known image of Hector Pieterson for the Soweto uprising • Trevor Nyakane - Rugby player for the Bulls and the South Africa national rugby team ==Notes and references==