BusinessTech reports that SA is at the bottom of the world’s rankings in respect of maternity leave, with mothers not guaranteed any maternity pay.
Employees are entitled to at least four consecutive months of maternity leave, but, unlike many other countries, this leave is unpaid, making SA one of only four countries that offer work without guaranteed paid maternity leave. This was highlighted in the Global Maternity Leave Report for 2025 by UK-based Moorepay, which outlines the leave benefits on governmental pages in every country. While SA mothers can claim from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), employers have no legal obligation to pay maternity leave to their employees.
But, while SA mothers are not guaranteed maternity pay, there are still significant changes on the cards for parental leave in the country. Currently, SA law grants biological mothers four months of maternity leave, while fathers receive only ten days of paternity leave. In October 2023, the Gauteng High Court ruled that the respective conditions in the Basic Conditions of Employment were unconstitutional. Notably, the ruling would mean that if there is a pair of parents, an entitlement of four months of parental leave would apply to both parents. However, this declaration of invalidity has no force and effect unless and until the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) confirms it. Although the ConCourt heard the confirmation application in November 2024, no ruling has yet been made.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luke Fraser at BusinessTech
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