Government

Ramaphosa approves R100,000 salary increase for South Africa’s millionaire ministers

Staff Writer

 ·19 Jan 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a 3.8% salary increase for South Africa’s top politicians, including ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentarians.

The approval of the above-inflation pay hike comes following the recommendation from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers in December.

The commission had recommended an increase of 4.1% for politicians, but the final, approved rate was 0.3 percentage points lower at 3.8% for the National Executive and Parliament.

However, the approved rates for the Provincial Legislature were in line with the 4.1% recommendation.

In determining its recommendation of a 4.1% increase, the commission noted the steep decline in inflation last year.

Initial projections were for the figure to average 4.5% at the beginning of the year, but this dropped to 3.5% by the end of the year.

It conducted a series of interviews and surveys among financial institutions and researchers.

It said it was of the view “that the realistic base range for inflation forecast for 2025/2026 should be between 3.5% and 4.5%.”

The approved 3.8% increase still falls within that range and exceeds inflation, but is lower than the public service wage agreement, which saw public servants’ wages hiked by 5.5% from April 2025.

Over the past decade, the government wage bill has decreased as a share of consolidated spending, falling from 35.7% in 2013/14 to 32.1% in 2023/24.

By 2027/28, the wage bill is projected to decrease to 31.4% of consolidated spending; however, this still remains a massive budget item.

Notably, while Ramaphosa is the one to sign off and approve the increases for top officials, his salary is approved by parliament.

The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers also recommended that the president get a 4.1% increase, but the final approval will be up to MPs.

The president’s salary is currently R3.35 million and will increase to R3.5 million is the commission’s recommendation is approved.

The tables below outline the approved increases:

National Executive [+3.8%]

Members of Parliament [+3.8%]

Provincial Executive [+4.1%]