The decision was based on the fact that most of the Bushbuckridge area had been part of three separate bantustans — Gazankulu, Lebowa and KaNgwane.

The citizens of Alexandria and other parts of Bushbuckridge became embroiled in a dispute with the government, demanding inclusion of the area in Mpumalanga province.

They were concerned that should the area be included into Limpopo, they would be marginalised and suffer poor service delivery since Polokwane, the Capital city of Limpopo Province, is more than 300 km away, whereas Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga is 58 km away.

For more than two years the government refused to allow Bushbuckridge to fall under Mpumalanga, leading to violent protests and resistance from the community, which included stay-aways, road blockage with burning tyres and destruction of property, demonstrated mainly at the R40 road at Mariti market place.

It is the birthplace of well-known businessmen Moses Tibane, Solly Ndlovu, Petrus Sydney Mabuza "Mshengu,Welcome Matsane and founder/ director of Bahlave Constructions Vincent Khoza,it's also the birthplace of the South African drone sketch drawing and electrician (Wisani Bornwise Khoza) the former Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Renias Khumalo and late struggle icons such as Kaizer Mgiba, as well as Victor Mkhonto.