Mkhondo Local Municipality is a gateway to the province of Mpumalanga from KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland. It is ideally situated halfway between the Gauteng metropolis (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and the Natal coast (Richards Bay and Durban) . It forms part of the Gert Sibande District Municipality, and is the main link for both industrial and commercial transport from Gauteng to the import / export harbour at Richards Bay. It is bordered by the following local municipalities: Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme to the west, eDumbe to the south, and Msukaligwa and Chief Albert Luthuli to the north. Swaziland is situated to the east of the Mkhondo Local Municipality. The municipality amalgamated two former Transitional Local Councils and two Transitional Rural Councils – the historic towns of Piet Retief and Amsterdam. Piet Retief, now known as eMkhondo, is surrounded by forestry and plantations. Much of its economy originates from these sources.

Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality is situated in Gert Sibande District Municipality. The municipality is named after the great leader of the people and the movement, ANC Chief Albert Luthuli. Carolina is the seat of the municipality. The N17 cuts through the south-eastern part of the area, as well as other regional mobility routes, namely the R36, R33 and R38. The majority of rural settlements occur in the eastern part of the municipality, with access provided by the R541, N17 and various secondary routes. Other key features include forestry areas in the central and southern areas of the CALLM, a river system, and the Nooitgedacht and Vygeboom Dams, as well as the edge of a greater wetland region. Economic activities that are dominant spatially in the municipality include agriculture, forestry and mining. Retail and services are concentrated in Carolina and also in smaller centres such as Elukwatini and eManzana (previously Badples) . Cities / Towns: Carolina, Ekulindeni, Empuluzi, eM

Msukaligwa Local Municipality is situated within the Gert Sibande District Municipality in the Mpumalanga province. Ermelo is the seat of the municipality. Cities / Towns: Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Davel, Ermelo, Lothair