The Thabo Mofutsanyane district has beautiful hills and fruit farming. This district forms the eastern part of the province, and borders the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal provinces.  The district is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Free State, mainly because of the spectacular scenic beauty of the Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges.  The most famous attraction is the Golden Gate Highland National Park, which is well known for its spectacular sandstone formations. The District Municipality comprises of 5 local municipalities, namely;

• Maluti-a-Phofung, including the towns of Harrismith, Kestell and QwaQwa;
• Dihlabeng, including the towns of Bethlehem, Clarens, Fouriesburg, Paul Roux and Rosendal;
• Nketoana, including the towns of Reitz, Lindley, Arlington and Petrus Steyn;
• Phumelela, including the towns of Warden, Memel, Vrede and surrounding areas; and
• Setsoto, including the towns of Ficksburg, Marquard, Clocolan and Senekal.

Thabo Mofutsanyana can be described as one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the Free State with a high gross income per hectare and a production capacity well above the average of the Free State.  The area is also blessed with one of the most scenic environments in the country and as a result is well known for its richness in terms of tourism destinations.  The Thabo Mofutsanyane district has an estimated population of approximately 728 400 people with 310 600 (43 %) living in urban areas and 417 800 (57 %) living in rural areas. These figures represent 26.8 % of the entire population of the Free State with a density of 25, 76 people per square kilometre. This district contributes to 11.7% of the GDP in the Province. The high proportions of the informal labour force in Thabo Mofutsanyana indicate the strong presence of a survivalist, micro-entrepreneurial sector. Thabo Mofutsanyana has the largest proportion and number of people living in poverty.