IN CONVERSATION WITH SOLLY MSINGA,Democratic Alliance

Gauteng is South Africa’s economic hub, but residents increasingly describe
the province as being in visible decline, with daily-life issues becoming more
severe across municipalities — from Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane,
to Emfuleni and the West Rand.

In recent months alone, Gauteng has been hit by:
 Power infrastructure failures and unstable supply (including repeated
substation incidents and cable theft)
 Water interruptions, ageing pipe bursts, and ongoing supply pressure
 Road collapse, potholes and sinkholes in high-traffic areas
 Sewage spillages, particularly in older infrastructure zones
 Crime hotspots, with communities repeatedly calling for stronger
policing and visible law enforcement

Politically, Gauteng is also heading into a highly contested period ahead of the
next election cycle, where parties are fighting for credibility on:
 Who can restore service delivery
 Who can stabilise municipal governance
 Who can deliver safety, jobs and infrastructure investment

The DA’s TSOPA is therefore not only an accountability tool — it is also a
strategic attempt to set the tone of the public conversation before Premier
Lesufi delivers SOPA, and to challenge government to respond to what

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opposition parties call the “real Gauteng”.