This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Sadag survey finds stressed SA workers battle to switch off in their free time BusinessLive reports that three-quarters of workers surveyed by the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) say they think about work constantly and cannot “switch off” in their free time. The findings highlight the immense stress that work generates for many of the respondents who were drawn from Sadag’s online community. The survey was not nationally representative, but nevertheless offered useful insight into the work-related stressors confronting participants, said the study’s author, Bronwyn Dworzanowski-Venter, a senior research associate at the University of Johannesburg. The majority (83%) of the 963 respondents were women and more than half (54%) of the participants lived in Gauteng. Sadag’s survey found 61% of people would quit their job if they could afford to do so, and though half (47%) had workplace assistance programmes only 28% of respondents had used them. A total of 38% said they were afraid of losing their jobs. “Work is a constant stressor, across all sectors. This is a global phenomenon, but in SA there is a sense you are lucky to be employed, and if you don’t like the conditions, there’s the door,” Dworzanowski-Venter pointed out. More than half (52%) of respondents said they had been diagnosed with a mental health condition, namely, 32% had been diagnosed with depression, 25% with stress, 18% with generalised anxiety disorder, 13% with burnout and 10% with trauma. Yet relatively few respondents said they had been able to take time off for mental health. The survey findings were released ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, which this year focuses on mental health at work. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive
Deputy school principal shot dead in Daveyton on Tuesday News24 reports that police are investigating a case of murder after a 51-year-old deputy principal from Rivoni Secondary School in Ekurhuleni, who was shot and killed in Daveyton on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Mavela Masondo said the principal had left the school premises in his vehicle and collected someone at the school gate. "While on Vivian Drive in Daveyton, both the deputy principal and the passenger got out of the vehicle and walked for a few metres. It is then that the deceased was shot and killed," he reported. Masondo indicated that the motive for the killing could not presently be confirmed and police were looking for the passenger who might assist in the investigation. According to Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the deputy principal was shot while attending a disciplinary meeting involving one of his colleagues. The department extended its condolences to his family, colleagues and the entire school community. Mabona advised that the department had activated psycho-social support services for those affected by this tragedy. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (trial registration required). Read too, Deputy principal shot dead, six pupils left injured in two incidents at Gauteng schools, at TimesLIVE. En ook, Gautengse skoolhoof by winkelsentrum doodgeskiet, by Maroela Media Six security guards killed and four injured in attack at Eastern Cape school near Qumbu AFP reports that six security guards about to go on patrol near a school were shot dead in Tina Falls, in the Eastern Cape, not far from Lusikisiki where 18 people were gunned down just over a week ago. “Six people were fatally shot, and four were injured at the Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls near Qumbu last night. A group of at least eight men, who were armed with rifles and handguns, opened fire,” police indicated in a statement on Monday. They added that the suspects were “still at large”. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, who visited the area Monday, told reporters that six guards had survived the attack. Six suspects had been identified, he said, adding that “three of them we can confirm are local people.” Masemola went on to say: “We got the motive that it is stock-theft related, but also there is some conflict within various villages, but the whole motive will be unfolded later.” Tina Falls, located in an area known for cattle raiding, is some 50 kilometres from Ngobozana, a village in Lusikisiki where a mass shooting that shocked the country took place on 28 September. Three suspects were detained for questioning though the motive behind the massacre remains unknown. Many of the victims were relatives, mostly women, who were killed at a rural homestead. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Witness Other internet posting(s) in this news category
National day of action on Monday was successful, says Cosatu SABC News reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) says its day of action on Monday to highlight labour and socio-economic issues was successful. Members of unions affiliated to Cosatu across the country marched to various government offices and handed over memoranda to officials. The memoranda contained demands for action on joblessness, poverty, and inequality, which characterise what the labour federation called SA’s crippling economic crisis. Cosatu’s general secretary Solly Phetoe reported: “From all the nine provinces, we were successful, we have been receiving some reports. We think that our action was successful, even though not all workers came out, but we can say it was a successful action.” He went on to elaborate: “It was not a national shutdown, because when you do a national shutdown, it means there’s total stay away- this was not a total stay away, it was a strike and marches in terms of the socio-economic crisis that we are facing.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Bontle Motsoatsoe at SABC News
Online fashion retailer Superbalist may cut up to 30% of its staff in restructuring Fin24 reports that Superbalist, one of SA's biggest online fashion retailers, has embarked on a restructuring that could affect up to 30% of its employees. This comes just over a month after a consortium of investors led by Blank Canvas Capital acquired the retailer from Naspers-owned Takealot. Superbalist CEO David Cohen confirmed in a statement on Monday that the "proposed restructure is expected to impact no more than 30% of staff". The current staff complement at Superbalist is 265. Cohen said that like many other businesses, Superbalist faced a reality where "post-Covid growth hasn't met our forecasts", while the rapid rise of other online fashion platforms had also "impacted our apparel and private label sales". As to whether Superbalist's new owners could run foul of South African competition authorities with their planned job cuts, Cohen said the "acquisition of shares in Superbalist is not a merger and does not require Competition Commission approval". The Competition Commission, however, said the deal involving Superbalist, and the consortium led by Blank Canvas Capital, appeared to be a merger, adding it had not yet been notified about the transaction. SA's competition rules also do not require mandatory notification to the antitrust authority prior to implementation if they are small. But the Competition Commission does have the power to call for notification of small mergers within six months of their implementation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at Fin24 (trial registration required)
JSC recommends Edwin Molahlehi for Judge President of the Labour and Labour Appeal Court IOL News reports that the second day of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews to fill 26 judicial vacancies in various courts closed off with Joburg Deputy Judge President Edwin Mogomotsi Molahlehi being recommended for the position of Judge President of the Labour and Labour Appeal Court. At least 54 candidates have been shortlisted for interviews that commenced on Monday and are expected to run over eight days. Molahlehi was recommended following his interview on Tuesday. Molahlehi is a judge of the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg and Deputy Judge President of the Labour Court since October 2023. Before taking up a position in the High Court in 2017, Molahlehi spent almost a decade as judge of the Labour Court following his appointment in 2007. According to the JSC, the filling of the 26 vacancies is critical. There are vacancies at the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), while the position of Judge President of the Western Cape High Court has been vacant for an extended period of time and the post of Deputy Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court has been vacant since June last year . Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News Absa has a new (interim) CEO – the sixth one in six years BusinessTech reports that Charles Russon has received regulatory approval to be appointed as interim CEO of Absa Group, becoming the sixth CEO in as many years. Russon will also replace outgoing CEO Arrie Rautenbach as a member of the Group Risk and Capital Management Committee, Social Sustainability and Ethics Committee, Group Credit Risk Committee and the Information Technology Committee. Yasmin Masithela replaces Russon as interim CEO of Absa’s Corporate and Investment Bank. Both appointments will be effective on 15 October 2024. Russon joined Absa Capital in 2006 as CFO and has held several senior roles at the group. He is a chartered accountant and previously worked for Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank. Russon takes over from Rautenbach, who will enter early retirement on 15 April 2025. Rautenbach will cease to be the CEO and an executive director from 15 October 2024 and will serve a six-month contractual notice period, which will serve as his gardening leave before he retires. Absa has had six CEOs since 2019, with the company struggling to find consistency at the executive level. With its share price and financial performance trailing those of its peers, Absa is now searching for its seventh permanent CEO. Absa, however, is not the only bank under new management. Harry Kellan has moved from FirstRand CFO to FNB CEO, while Mary Vilakazi was also promoted from FirstRand COO to CEO. Former Absa executive Jason Quinn took over as Nedbank CEO in May after Mike Brown’s 14 years in charge. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luke Fraser at BusinessTech SAPS launches recruitment drive to re-enlist former officers, aiming to boost detective capacity News24 reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) has launched a recruitment campaign to bring back former police officers who left the service in good standing. This initiative is part of the police's broader strategy to strengthen its detective force and improve case investigations. Last month, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced that the police would increase the number of detectives by more than 1,000 to tackle extortion incidents. In the 2023/24 financial year, the police successfully re-enlisted more than 200 former officers who returned to serve as detectives. The department aims to continue this momentum by bringing in more experienced personnel to reduce case investigation backlogs and ensure efficient docket management. Re-enlistment is open only to former officers who previously held the constable, sergeant, and warrant officer ranks. Candidates who qualify will be reinstated at their previous rank. Johan Burger of the Institute for Security Studies said he supported bringing back experienced detectives, but recruitment alone was insufficient. He pointed out that the conditions that led to detectives' departures had not changed, making it challenging for them to stay in the force. Burger noted that the acceptable average detective caseload was around 50 to 60 dockets. The current load is between 200 and 300 dockets per detective. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Velani Ludidi at News24 (trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Changed banking landscape is reshaping the nature of employment in the sector BusinessTech writes that SA’s banking landscape has seen a seismic shift over the past decade, driven largely by the rise of digital banking. The transition to digital banking, accelerated by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences, has revolutionised the banking experience and reshaped the nature of employment within the sector. Banks like Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, and FNB have been aggressively adapting their operations to remain competitive while creating a demand for new jobs and skills. The rapid adoption of digital banking in SA is mainly due to increased mobile penetration, growing access to the internet, and a rising consumer appetite for convenience and efficiency. In recent years, SA banks have invested heavily in upgrading their digital platforms, enhancing mobile apps, and implementing AI-driven solutions to streamline processes. This has enabled customers to conduct transactions, apply for loans, and manage their finances without visiting physical branches. The digital transformation of banks has led to a significant demand for new skills, particularly in technology, data analytics, and customer experience management. As the demand for digital banking skills continues to rise, South African banks face a notable challenge: a shortage of qualified professionals in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and data science. But, the demand for relationship managers and acquisition bankers indicates that, despite the growth of digital platforms, personal relationships with clients remain important, albeit supported by data analytics and digital tools. The skills gap has prompted banks to not only focus on external recruitment but also to invest heavily in reskilling and upskilling their existing workforce. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malcolm Libera at BusinessTech. Read too, CSIR Cybersecurity surveys reveal skills gap, lack of readiness, at Engineering News
'Lost' Damelin students beg dismissed staffer for help, while axed employees allegedly still owed back pay, severance pay and leave pay Fin24 reports that a member of staff recently dismissed from Damelin says he is still being asked for help by "lost" students who are struggling to get any feedback whatsoever from the college’s owner Educor. "Students are still in contact with me, feeling very lost. Former colleagues of mine say they received no communication," said the former employee. The axed staff member, who worked at Damelin’s now-shuttered East London campus for years before being abruptly dismissed in August, said nothing had changed since Damelin's registration was provisionally reinstated on "purely humanitarian grounds". He claimed that Damelin, one of four struggling higher education colleges owned by Educor, was still not responding to queries from worried students or employees. It allegedly still owes staff months of back pay, as well as severance and leave pay. Many of Educor's 13,000-odd students remain uncertain about their futures, their degrees, and whether the education group will survive beyond the end of the year. The government has tried to reassure students that all Educor degrees remain valid. Some unhappy former employees have gone to the CCMA to get what they are owed, while others have asked the Department of Employment & Labour for help. Educor has mostly stayed mum since former higher education minister Blade Nzimande cancelled the registration of the four colleges in March. The deregistration was provisionally lifted by Nzimande's successor, Nobuhle Nkabane, in late August to "minimise disruption to the education and future prospects" of students. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24 (trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Solidarity Research Institute presents health care alternative to NHI Maroela Media reports that the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) has proposed an alternative to the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. A draft proposal for an improved healthcare system that would take the pressure off the ailing public system, while increasing access to private care, was presented by the SRI at a press briefing on Tuesday. The proposal encompasses the restructuring of the financing of health care in SA. Theuns du Buisson, economic researcher at the SRI, noted that even as the debate about the NHI Act – signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May this year – rages on, the SRI decided not only to put up a legal fight against the NHI but to also come up with constructive proposals and solutions of its own. In its proposal, the SRI compared the viability of the current system, the NHI and its proposed system. “At the moment, South Africa has universal healthcare where service and infrastructure are seriously lacking. In turn, the NHI was devised without the necessary planning and a budget for it, and should the government implement it, it would, among other things, bankrupt the state,” Du Buisson argued. He went on to indicate: “For this reason, it was necessary to conceive a new system that would improve on the current system and the NHI idea. Such a system spreads healthcare financing among many other role players and can address the problem of the low quality being experienced in the public system and the unaffordability of the private system.” In its draft document the SRI indicates how individuals would pay monthly less than in a country under a NHI system, while also paying less than what the current system would require of them. Read the full original of the report in Afrikaans on the above by Tania Heyns at Maroela Media and access the SRI’s full proposal document here
Private security provident fund fails thousands of guards as complaints to adjudicator surge Sunday Independent reports that the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (OPFA) has made damning findings about the Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF) in its most recent annual report. The PSSPF, which is accountable for the retirement benefits of thousands of security guards, was found to have experienced critical operational failures. In its 2023-2024 annual report, the OPFA disclosed that the PSSPF was the most problematic fund in the country, with 3,654 complaints issued out of a total of over 9,000. Many security officers have been deprived of their rightful benefits due to widespread non-compliance by employers, processing delays, and poor communication between the fund and its administrator. Pension Funds Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane said: “The requirement for compulsory membership in the PSSPF by security guards remains questionable as employers continue to evade the requirement to pay contributions.” She indicated that this non-compliance had become a widespread practice despite regulations, a collective bargaining agreement, and legal consequences for defaulters. Lukhaimane criticised the PSSPF board for its apparent unwillingness to hold defaulting employers accountable, adding that complaints arose when members would attempt to claim their benefits, long after employers had failed to pay. The PSSPF and its administrator have also been faulted for their inability to efficiently process contributions from compliant employers. The report moreover exposed that whereas from September 2021 to February 2024 the contribution rate was reduced from 7.5% to 5%, some employers continued to deduct the higher rate from employees while paying the lower amount to the PSSPF. Lukhaimane warned of further problems on the horizon with the introduction of the two-pot retirement savings system Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sizwe Dlamini at Sunday Independent
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