South Africa’s updated Employment Equity Amendment Act sets a new national target: at least 3% of a company’s workforce should be persons with disabilities. For a business employing 50 people, this means at least two employees must be persons with disabilities to meet the target. The rule applies to all “designated employers” — organisations with 50 or more employees — and forms part of the Employment Equity Regulations 2025, which take effect in 2025 and give companies five years to align through approved equity plans.
Previously, there was no fixed national figure. Disability representation was left to each company’s discretion, with actual levels typically hovering around 1–2%. The 3% benchmark is meant to accelerate inclusion and accountability by giving both government and business a measurable goal.
Under the law, a disability includes long-term or recurring physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental impairments that substantially limit a person’s ability to work. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, or HIV may qualify if they cause significant, lasting functional limitations.
The new requirement affects every major sector, from engineering and aviation to finance and retail. While some employer groups have questioned the reliability of national disability data, the government says measurable targets are the only way to turn inclusion from policy into practice.
