IN CONVERSATION WITH SOLLY MSINGA,Democratic Alliance
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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
09:35
opposition parties call the “real Gauteng”.
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
09:35
opposition parties call the “real Gauteng”.
