South Africa’s GDP per hour worked lags leading economies, but organisations can narrow the gap without waiting for macro reforms. This article explains what productivity is, why it matters, where South Africa sits globally, and the most effective workplace levers: digital tools and infrastructure, job and process redesign, targeted skills development, fair performance management, and trust-building leadership.

Vodacom v Makate (“Please Call Me”) reshapes South African review law. The Constitutional Court held that decision-makers must properly consider material issues and give adequate reasons; process defects can justify setting aside awards even if outcomes seem reasonable. It confirmed three review routes for CCMA awards: LRA s145, s145 read with Constitution s34, and direct reliance on s34. Matter sent back to the SCA.

The National Minimum Wage Commission has proposed a 2026 increase of CPI plus 1.5%, following its annual review under the National Minimum Wage Act. With the current wage at R28.79 per hour and 5.5 million workers affected, employers are invited to submit representations by 12 January 2026. The proposal highlights compliance risks, SMME impact, enforcement priorities and available relief measures.

New OHS regulations issued in December 2025 tighten employer duties on space standards, housekeeping, fire safety, escape routes, flooding risks, risk assessments and first-aid coverage. The rules introduce explicit criminal penalties, requiring employers to redesign workspaces, improve emergency readiness, maintain risk-assessment systems and ensure certified first-aiders per shift. Proactive audits are now essential to avoid liability.

Advance your HR career with the Advanced Occupational Certificate: HRM Officer (NQF 6). This qualification equips HR professionals to move from admin and transactional tasks into true strategic partnership. Blend knowledge, practical skills, and workplace application to manage talent, design organisations, support employment relations, and align people strategy with business goals in a fast-changing, digitally enabled workplace.

The Labour Appeal Court overturned a ruling that an ethical hacker at Sanlam was constructively dismissed, finding he resigned voluntarily and had not proven intolerable working conditions. Mental-health arguments raised only at review were rejected, with the Court confirming that incapacity and constructive dismissal must not be conflated. The CCMA’s original finding was restored, offering clarity on mental-health claims in dismissal disputes.

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South Africa’s labour-relations landscape is becoming more complex, driven by expanding case law, rising compliance demands and digital transformation. An NQF 6 Labour Relations Practice qualification equips practitioners with advanced legal, strategic and workplace-ready skills. Organisations benefit through fewer disputes, stronger compliance and improved IR capability. As labour dynamics evolve, formalised training has become essential for HR, legal and IR professionals.

B-BBEE works best when viewed not as compliance but as coordinated empowerment. Like an ant colony, South Africa’s economy thrives when every participant plays a meaningful role. Effective B-BBEE aligns ownership, skills development, supplier development and socio-economic investment into a unified growth ecosystem. By shifting from tick-box reporting to collaborative strategy, businesses can unlock new markets, build resilient supply chains and drive inclusive, long-term eco