Before its proclamation, the area was under the administration of Transvaal government and was little more than grazing lands with small communities in Boekenhoutfontein (which later became Block A), Winterveld and Hebron.

The initial residents of Boekenhoutfontein were victims of forced removals from Wallmansthal, Lady Selborne, Boekenhoutkloof and other farm areas around Pretoria.

The residents of Soshanguve who were not Tswana speaking refused to be incorporated into Bophuthatswana and fought to remain under Pretoria.

The majority of residents are of the Christian faith with different nominally sects like the ZCC, Lutheran, Twelve apostles and John Wesley.

Mabopane, like most townships in South Africa, has a wide range of income groups, the poorest earn between $100-$300, of which comes mostly from social grants.

The upper class in the township is the minority, and enjoys low property value taxes and rates.

Most residents in the township rely on public transport to commute and this is through rail (Mabopane Station), bus and taxi.

The trains usually take working residents to the main industrial area's in Pretoria, whilst the taxi is preferred for local travel within Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Hebron.

The local government City of Tshwane manages the area through agencies such as Sandspruit Water Works and Eskom.

Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department has opened up in 2012 on Lucas Mangope Street in Block UX.

It offers a medium variety of courses, mainly rudimentary and basic and technical skills subjects.

There are two Further Education Training (FET) institutions in Mabopane offering skills mainly to unemployed residents, the elderly and women.