South Africa National Minimum Wage for March 2026

Key Point  

• South Africa has issued updated national minimum wage rates and sector‑specific wage tables that will take effect on 1 March 2026. 

South Africa Minimum Wage 2026  

South Africa published amendments to the National Minimum Wage Act in the Government Gazette on 3 February 2026. As a result, the national minimum wage will increase to R30.23 per hour for most workers beginning 1 March 2026. The new wages include: 

• Farm workers and domestic workers will also receive R30.23 per hour, matching the national rate. 
• Expanded Public Works Programme workers will receive R16.62 per hour. 
• Learners under registered learnership agreements will receive updated weekly allowances based on NQF level and credits earned, with amounts ranging from R455.00 to R2,654.04 per week. 

The publication also includes revised sectoral determinations, which outline minimum wages for specific industries: 

Contract Cleaning Sector Minimum Wage

The updated schedule provides new hourly, weekly and monthly minimums for Areas A, B and C.  

• For example, Area A employees must be paid R33.27 per hour, with weekly and monthly equivalents calculated on a 45‑hour workweek. 

Wholesale and Retail Sector Minimum Wage

The update includes detailed wage tables for Areas A and B, covering job categories such as general assistants, security guards, cashiers, drivers, clerks, supervisors and managers. Hourly rates vary by job type and hours worked, with examples including: 

• General Assistant (Area A): R30.23–R35.53 per hour 
• Cashier (Area A): R34.62–R43.29 per hour 
• Manager (Area A): R64.66–R80.82 per hour 

These sectoral rates also include weekly and monthly equivalents, calculated using a standard 45‑hour workweek and 4.333‑week month. 

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