This paper studies individual-level labour market transitions and their determinants in
South Africa during the zenith and aftermath of the global financial and economic crisis using
2008 to 2010-2011 panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study and matched crosssections
of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey over 2008Q1-2012Q4. We uncover considerable
movement in South African labour markets over the crisis period. Chances of continued
employment vary along gender, age and education levels and between different occupations and
sectors. The time variation in the economic significance of some of these determinants remains
however difficult to link to South Africa’s economic trajectory.