Thaba Chweu Local Municipality came into being after the December 5th 2000 local government elections. It is located in the north-western region of the Mpumalanga province. The escarpment divides the district into eastern and western halves. The western half (Lydenburg district) is dominated by agricultural and farming activities, while forestry is the main economic activity of the eastern half (Sabie/Graskop district).