Life and people

The Gauteng City-Region is the wealthiest and most populous region of South Africa, the hub of the nation’s economy. The GCR attracts people from every province and all over the world making it the most diverse region in the country. Consequently, it is often seen as progressive and cosmopolitan, even Afropolitan. Yet, the GCR is also home to deep inequality and poverty. Like the rest of South Africa it is still grappling with issues of diversity, whether around race, sex, gender or nationality, which sometimes manifest themselves in violence. Despite some misgivings about the performance of national, provincial and local government, many of its residents are active participants in civil society organising in their communities, churches, mosques and temples, as well as attending ward meetings, indabas and participating in other forums.