Legal updates and opinions
News / News
Intention to deem all performers in advertising, artistic and cultural activities as employees
by Andre van Heerden, Director, Jacques van Wyk, Director, Hannah Fowler, Candidate Attorney and Mikayla Ehrenreich, Candidate Attorney
On 23 January 2026, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Mrs Nomakhosazana Meth, announced, in a Government Gazette published on the same day (“Notice“), the intention to deem all performers in the performance of advertising, artistic and cultural activities as employees.
The Government Notice states that, in recognising performers in the advertising, artistic and cultural spheres as employees, they will enjoy the protection of specific provisions under employment legislation. In particular,
(a) insofar as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 is concerned, the following sections: the regulating of working time (section 7); ordinary hours of work, overtime, rest periods, meal intervals, work on Sundays and public holidays (sections 9 – 19); leave entitlements, including annual, sick and maternity leave, and application to occupational accidents or diseases (sections 20 – 25); written particulars of employment (section 29); record keeping, payment of remuneration, payslips and deductions (sections 37 – 39); and severance pay (section 41),
(b)the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993,
(c) the National Minimum Wage Act 9 of 2018; and
(d)and the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, in particular, the provisions dealing with fixed term contracts which exceed 24 months (section 198B(10)(a)).
The Notice provides, further, that interested persons may submit written representations regarding the abovementioned proposals within 30 days of publication of the Notice (i.e., by no later than 22 February 2026).
Any such written representations are to be made to the Director General of the Department of Employment and Labour at the following address:
The Director-General: Department of Employment and Labour
Attention: Acting Deputy Director General: Labour Policy and Industrial Relations
Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001
Email: SDinvestigations@LABOUR.gov.za
Latest News
“All change is good”: potential implications of the proposed changes to taxation of income subject to withholding taxes awarded by South African trusts to foreign beneficiaries
and Benedict Ngobeni - Candidate Attorney Reviewed by Ernest Mazansky - Director, Werksmans Tax (Proprietary) Limited Currently, income arising in [...]
The changing landscape of the Companies Act, 2008: the Second Amendment Bill, 2023
In the wake of the Zondo Commission of Enquiry into State Capture's recommendation that certain provisions in the Companies [...]
A definite end to an infinite loop – the interpretation of section 153(4) of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008
It is evident from recent judgments handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (the "SCA") that various provisions [...]
A South African perspective on the role of Pro Bono lawyers
This article was first published in TYL, a publication of the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division As a [...]
Labour laws – fairness to all parties
South African labour laws have been deliberately crafted in order to create a protective regulatory environment for employees. Additionally, [...]
Faking sickness in order to attend a political march: You have a huge price to pay
Our labour law allows employees to take paid sick leave when they are sick in order to attend to [...]
