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Battleground Gauteng. A populist government in action in SA’s economic hub

Date Uploaded: May 04 2026 12:00


Gauteng has become ground zero in South Africa’s political realignment. This note unpacks the province’s shifting power dynamics, rising populist influence, and deepening links between governance, crime and corruption - at a moment when electoral volatility is reshaping the landscape. With the 2026 local government elections approaching, we explore the coalition scenarios and political fault lines that could define not only Gauteng but also the country’s trajectory.