Politicians should fear financial crisis. It is certain to upend them. Studies worldwide, from pre-Nazi Germany to post global financial crisis Hungary, show that financial crises tend to enable right-wing populists, who vent their anger at economic elites.

In SA, the financial system is robust, yet many people still feel excluded. Technically, there is a 90% inclusion rate, among the highest in Africa, but many people harbour resentment towards banks. Among them are the 10-million South Africans with impaired credit records (a third of all those who have borrowed), who struggle to access finance...

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