This report provides information on South Africa on behalf of the implementation of the DECISIONS
FOR LIFE project in that country. The DECISIONS FOR LIFE project aims to raise awareness amongst
young female workers about their employment opportunities and career possibilities, family building
and the work-family balance. This report is part of the Inventories, to be made by the University of
Amsterdam, for all 14 countries involved. It focuses on a gender analysis of work and employment.
History (2.1.1). After 1948, the authoritarian system of racial segregation under white minority
dominance was formalised and intensified into “grand apartheid”. Skilled jobs were reserved for
whites. Forced by the liberalisation struggle led by the ANC and under growing international pressure,
in 1989 the apartheid regime pronounced its own death sentence. Since 1994, subsequent ANC
administrations govern, first with a free-market economic strategy (GEAR), later with a stronger public
sector orientation. From 2004 on, the GDP-per-person-employed growth pattern has been volatile.
Governance (2.1.2). After 1994, new social movements emerged, often adressing governmental failures.
These movements, notably the women’s movement, maintain a complex relationship with the
mainstream of the nationalist movement based on the anti-apartheid struggle. With the 2009 elections,
women representation in parliament increased to 43%.
Prospects (2.1.3). The global economic and financial crisis has seriously hit the South African economy,
with in the first half year of 2009 a fall in employment of 360,000 compared to a year earlier. The
economy remains vulnerable, especially for falling global commodities demand.
Communication (2.2). In 2007, 42.3 million cell phones were in use, nine on each ten South Africans. In
2008 nearly 10% of the population used the Internet. Freedom of press is rather well-guaranteed. Female
sources are rarely used for news broadcasting.
The sectoral labour market structure – The long-term development (2.3.1). After rapid growth in female
employment from 1970 on, in 1995-2000 growth in the formal sector slowed down. Afterwards, it
remained limited to commerce, finance and community and related services.
The sectoral labour market structure – Formal and informal employment (2.3.2) After growing quickly
between 1995 and 2003, informal employment stabilized. In 2007, 27% of the total workforce, 38% of the
African workforce and 34% of all employed women worked in the informal sector. Facing that about
30% of all formal sector workers does not have a written contract, and with many in temporary or casual
labour, we estimate for 2007 the share of core workers at 5.2 million, 38% of the labour force at large.
The sectoral labour market structure – Unemployment (2.3.3). Unemployment is especially high among
African women and youngsters. Recently unemployment of African women (according to the official
narrow definition) stood at 31%, and unemployment of young women at 52%. Nearly half of all
unemployed women were new entrants to the labour market.
Legislation (2.4.1). South Africa has ratified the core ILO Labour Conventions, and its laws are nondiscriminatory.
Its labour legislation is highly codified and complicated.
Labour relations (2.4.2). 2008 estimates point at union densities of 24% over all employed, with 20%
female density, or 31% in the formal sector against 3% in the informal sector. After a series of mergers,
three union confederations are in place, COSATU, SACOTU and CONSAWU, all ITUC affiliates.