As the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the continent’s top three alongside Nigeria and Egypt, South Africa stands as a vital hub of economic, cultural, and political activity across the region and the continent. South Africa’s payroll and HR landscape is shaped by its complex history and strong worker protection laws. Landmark policies such as the Employment Equity Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act were introduced to promote fair representation and correct past inequalities in the workplace. The country’s labor landscape is also defined by a strong union presence.

Payroll professionals also need to navigate several statutory contributions, including the Skills Development Levy (SDL), a 1% employer-paid tax designed to fund national training and development initiatives. In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by ADP experts Tracey Wiehman, Head of Services, and Oswald Bailey, Business Compliance Manager, as they share insights on navigating South Africa’s evolving payroll landscape. We also speak to Naomi, a manager at a financial institution in Johannesburg, to tell us more about her experiences with training opportunities funded by the SDL.

Timestamps

• Intro [00:07]
• South Africa’s economy [04:30]
• The unemployment rate [06:55]
• South Africa’s unions [08:04]
• 12 official languages [11:26]
• Payroll calculations [13:26]
• The Basic Conditions of Employment Act [16:33]
• The Employment Equity Act [17:08]
• The Triple B Double E Act [18:45]
• The Skills Development Levy [22:58]
• Naomi’s story [25:35]
• Payroll cycles and mandatory contributions [32:34]
• How ADP helps clients in South Africa [36:32]

Credits 

• Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen 
• Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke 
• Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell 
• Scripted and hosted by: Luisa Rollenhagen 
• Guest interview recorded by: Khanya Mtshali  
• Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet 

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