The local economy has been severely impacted by the shutdown of prominent shops, including Pick n Pay, Legit, Style, OK Furniture, and potentially OBC. The Pick n Pay store ceased operations on January 31, 2026.
Bushbuckridge’s economy is characterized by high unemployment, limited manufacturing, and a reliance on subsistence farming, contributing to widespread poverty and social issues such as depression and substance abuse. The town’s trading sector is predominantly controlled by external entities rather than local businesses.
Despite its tourism potential, the area remains inaccessible due to high capital requirements. The Bushbuckridge Municipality was established in 2000 through the amalgamation of three former transitional local councils.
Historically, the area comprised the apartheid-era homelands of Gazankulu and Lebowa, designated for specific ethnic groups. The municipality, previously a cross-border entity spanning Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, is now fully incorporated within Mpumalanga Province.
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