In a developing, highly unequal country such as South Africa, it is unlikely that a definition of
the middle class that is based on an income threshold will adequately capture the political
and social meanings of being middle class. We propose a multi-dimensional definition,
rooted in the ideas of empowerment and capability, and find that the ‘empowered middle
class’ has expanded significantly since 1993. It also is much larger than when measured in
terms of income.