South Africa’s national minimum wage will increase to R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, crossing the R30 mark for the first time. The announcement was made by Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth.

The new rate is a 5% increase on the current minimum wage. It is based on November’s annual inflation rate of 3.5% plus 1.5 percentage points, aligning with a recommendation that was opened for public comment by the National Minimum Wage Commission in December.

Who Gets the Increase and What it Means

Meth said the R1.44 per hour increase will benefit workers across the board, including farm workers and domestic workers.

An estimated 5.5 million people in South Africa earn the minimum wage.

The minister also stressed that the minimum wage is a legal floor. Employers may not pay below it, and may not avoid it by changing contracts, working hours or conditions to reduce what workers take home.

EPWP Workers Get a Bigger Jump

Workers employed in expanded public works programmes are treated differently and earn less than the national rate. They will receive a 9.6% increase, moving from R15.16 to R16.62 per hour.

What is Excluded and When Exemptions Apply

The national minimum wage does not include allowances and extras such as transport, tools, food or accommodation. It also excludes payments in kind like board or lodging, plus tips, bonuses and gifts.

Employers can apply for an exemption from the national minimum wage, although the wage remains the standard legal baseline.

Where the Minimum Wage Started

The national minimum wage was introduced in 2019 at R20 per hour. Farm workers and domestic workers initially earned less, before later being lifted to match the national rate.