Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government underestimated population growth and failed to align planning and budgets with migration-driven demand on public services and infrastructure.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — August 23, 2026 — Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has acknowledged that the provincial government did not adequately plan for the pressure created by rapid population growth, including migration from other South African provinces and immigration from elsewhere on the continent.
Speaking during the African National Congress's 2026 local government election manifesto launch in Riverside, Diepsloot, Lesufi said Gauteng had underestimated the scale of demand facing the country's most populous province.
According to The Citizen, Lesufi said government had continued building roads, schools, clinics and other infrastructure, but population growth had outpaced the assumptions used for budgeting and planning.
He identified two major pressures: people relocating to Gauteng from other South African provinces in search of opportunities, and people arriving from other African countries who also seek to live and work in the province.
Lesufi said the mismatch between Gauteng's population growth and government planning had become a major problem that the ANC wants to address through its municipal election programme.
Gauteng continues to attract South Africa's largest migrant inflow
Official population estimates support Lesufi's broader concern about the scale of migration into Gauteng.
Statistics South Africa estimates that Gauteng will receive about 1.42 million migrants between 2021 and 2026, the largest inflow recorded for any South African province during the period.
Stats SA's 2026 mid-year population estimates put Gauteng's population at approximately 16.3 million people, representing about 25.7% of South Africa's total population.
SOUTH AFRICA NEWS
Panyaza Lesufi Admits Gauteng Failed to Plan for Population Growth
Aug 23, 2026
Aug 23, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government underestimated population growth and failed to align planning and budgets with migration-driven demand on public services and infrastructure.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — August 23, 2026 — Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has acknowledged that the provincial government did not adequately plan for the pressure created by rapid population growth, including migration from other South African provinces and immigration from elsewhere on the continent.
Speaking during the African National Congress's 2026 local government election manifesto launch in Riverside, Diepsloot, Lesufi said Gauteng had underestimated the scale of demand facing the country's most populous province.
According to The Citizen, Lesufi said government had continued building roads, schools, clinics and other infrastructure, but population growth had outpaced the assumptions used for budgeting and planning.
He identified two major pressures: people relocating to Gauteng from other South African provinces in search of opportunities, and people arriving from other African countries who also seek to live and work in the province.
Lesufi said the mismatch between Gauteng's population growth and government planning had become a major problem that the ANC wants to address through its municipal election programme.
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Gauteng continues to attract South Africa's largest migrant inflow
Official population estimates support Lesufi's broader concern about the scale of migration into Gauteng.
Statistics South Africa estimates that Gauteng will receive about 1.42 million migrants between 2021 and 2026, the largest inflow recorded for any South African province during the period.
Stats SA's 2026 mid-year population estimates put Gauteng's population at approximately 16.3 million people, representing about 25.7% of South Africa's total population.
A separate Stats SA statement on migration also identifies Gauteng as the country's leading destination for both internal and international migrants.
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The agency has stressed that migration is closely linked to employment, education and access to better economic opportunities, while also increasing demand for housing, transport, healthcare, schools and other public services.
Comments come as ANC launches municipal election campaign
Lesufi made the remarks as the ANC formally shifts attention toward the 2026 local government elections.
The party had already been preparing Riverside in Diepsloot for its manifesto launch, with the ANC confirming the venue and election preparations in an official media advisory issued on August 21.
Gauteng is expected to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the municipal elections, with service delivery, infrastructure, unemployment, crime and migration likely to remain major campaign issues.
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Lesufi's comments amount to a public acknowledgement that infrastructure development alone has not kept pace with Gauteng's changing population.
The political significance of the remarks is likely to extend beyond migration policy. Municipal governments across Gauteng face persistent pressure over electricity, water, roads, housing and other basic services, while population growth continues to increase demand across the province.
For the ANC, the challenge will be turning that acknowledgement into a clear plan for how provincial and municipal authorities intend to fund and expand services as Gauteng continues attracting new residents.
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