As coalition politics, institutional pressure and global instability intensify, South African employers face a shifting employment relations landscape. This article explains how political drift fuels aggressive wage bargaining, strike action and policy uncertainty, and why boards must treat labour stability as a strategic risk. It highlights the importance of fair procedures, social dialogue and workplace partnership to protect business continuity and the social licence to op

South Africa’s unemployment rises to 32.9% in Q1 2025, with youth joblessness at 62.4%—calling for urgent, united action.