The South African government has recently announced an increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW), effective from March 1, 2025. The new minimum wage has been adjusted from R27.58 to R28.79 per hour, marking a 4.4% increase. This adjustment aims to address the rising cost of living.
Key Points of the New Minimum Wage
Increased Rate: The NMW has been increased to R28.79 per hour for all workers, including domestic and farm workers.
Expanded Public Works Programme: Workers on this program will receive a minimum wage of R15.83 per hour, up from R15.16.
Impact on Workers and Employers
The increase in the minimum wage is expected to have a significant impact on both workers and employers. For workers, especially those in vulnerable sectors like domestic and farm workers, this increase may cause employers to potentially cut jobs.
This increase comes just before the Budget Speech where an increase in tax rates are expected and the removal of medical aid tax credits.
When Is My Tax Return Due? 2025 Deadlines for Non-Provisional Taxpayers
South African taxpayers who aren’t classified as provisional have until 20 October 2025 to file their personal income tax returns. That’s the official SARS deadline - and it’s not just a date, it’s a diagnostic moment.
If you haven’t been auto-assessed by SARS this year, this deadline applies to you. Auto-assessed taxpayers received their notices between 7-20 July, but if you didn’t get one, it’s your cue to log into SARS eFiling or the MobiApp and submit your ITR12 manually. read more
October 9, 2025
Mandeni Blitz Exposes Child Labour
A Wake-Up Call for Compliance and Compassion
In a late-night operation dubbed the “Dusk of Night” blitz, the Department of Employment and Labour, alongside SAPS and Home Affairs, raided two textile factories in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal. The results were chilling: 47 undocumented workers arrested, two employers detained, and a 14-year-old child found working under illegal conditions.
This wasn’t just a labour violation - it was a mirror held up to the cracks in our current social systems. read more
