Cape Town – Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has announced a R1.44 hourly increase to the national minimum wage, raising it from R28.79 to R30.23 per hour effective 1 March 2026.
This benefits most workers, including vulnerable farm and domestic workers, under the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act, which mandates annual reviews and prohibits payments below this floor — regardless of contracts or agreements.
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers are excluded, with their rate rising separately from R15.16 to R16.62 per hour; learnership allowances under the Skills Development Act will be published online.
“Their (EPWP workers) adjustment will rise from R15.16 per hour to a minimum wage of R16.62 per hour and workers who have concluded learnership agreements contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act 1998 are entitled to the allowances contained in Schedule 2,” said Meth.
ANNOUNCEMENT | The Department of Employment and Labour has announced an increase in the National Minimum Wage from R28,79 to R30,23 per hour, effective 1 March 2026.
🔗 More information:⁰https://t.co/ghpkcm5kJc#NationalMinimumWage #LabourZA #GovZAUpdates @deptoflabour pic.twitter.com/lJqa5ATK2b
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 4, 2026
“The rates on learnerships will be published on the departmental website.”
Exemptions also cover SANDF members, intelligence agencies, and volunteers. The wage excludes allowances, in-kind payments, tips, bonuses, or gifts.
Violations face fines via departmental inspectors and the CCMA. Employers cannot unilaterally change work conditions to implement it, as this counts as an unfair labour practice.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
