South Africa’s national minimum wage will increase from R28.79 to R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, marking a R1.44 adjustment to protect low-income workers against inflation and rising living costs. The National Minimum Wage Act applies to most workers in the formal and informal sectors, including farm workers and domestic workers, with the aim of reducing poverty and improving livelihoods. The increase was recommended by the National Minimum Wage Commission after reviewing inflation and economic conditions. Thabiso Tema spoke to Maggie Mthomben Izwi co-founder and Case Manager of the Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance in South Africa.