South Africa's political landscape has seen a significant shift, with the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the dawn of democracy.
This new era of coalition politics has brought with it a new set of leaders, each commanding hefty salaries that have sparked debate about the cost of representation.
At the top of the pay scale sits President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose salary, while yet to be officially approved, is budgeted at a staggering R4.2 million per year. This figure dwarfs the average South African salary, which sits at a meagre R26,791 per month, according to Stats SA's latest quarterly employment survey.
While Ramaphosa has previously donated his salary to various organisations like the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the disparity between his earnings and those of ordinary citizens remains a source of contention.
The GNU has seen several other political party leaders appointed as ministers, leading to a significant increase in their earnings. DA leader John Steenhuisen, for example, now earns close to R2.7 million as Minister of Agriculture.
Other political leaders enjoying similar ministerial salaries include:
- IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa (Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs)
- PA leader Gayton Mckenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture)
- FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald (Minister of Correctional Services)
- PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso (Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development)
- GOOD Party leader Patricia De Lille (Minister of Tourism)
Meanwhile, the UDMs’ Bantu Holomisa and Al Jama-ah’s Ganief Hendricks earn R2.2 million as Deputy Ministers of Defence and Social Development, respectively.
Outside the GNU, MK Party’s John Hlophe, the Leader of the Opposition, earns nearly R1.8 million per year. This is despite the fact that former South African President Jacob Zuma, seen as the leader of MK, is ineligible to be an MP due to a prior conviction for contempt of court.
Similarly, Atholl Trollip is the Parliamentary Leader of ActionSA, even though Herman Mashaba is the organisation's President.
As the leader of a Minority Party, EFF leader Julius Malema earns R1.5 million as a salary, along with five other leaders from smaller parties.
These figures have sparked debate about the appropriateness of such high salaries, particularly in a country grappling with poverty and inequality. Critics argue that the salaries of political leaders are out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary South Africans.
Despite the controversy, the salaries of political party leaders are set by law and are not likely to change anytime soon. This raises questions about the transparency and accountability of the system, and whether it truly reflects the values of a democratic society.
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the annual salaries of political party leaders in parliament:
| Leader | Party | Current Role | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyril Ramaphosa | ANC | President of South Africa | R4 200 000 |
| John Steenhuisen | DA | Minister of Agriculture | R2 689 937 |
| John Hlophe | MK | Leader of the Opposition | R1 792 595 |
| Julius Malema | EFF | Minority Party Leader | R1 507 841 |
| Velenkosini Hlabisa | IFP | Minister of COGTA | R2 689 937 |
| Gayton Mckenzie | PA | Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture | R2 689 937 |
| Pieter Groenewald | FF Plus | Minister of Correctional Services | R2 689 937 |
| Athol Trollip | ActionSA | Minority Party Leader | R1 507 841 |
| Kenneth Meshoe | ACDP | Minority Party Leader | R1 507 841 |
| Bantu Holomisa | UDM | Deputy Minister of Defence | R2 215 220 |
| Songezo Zibi | RISE Mzansi | Chair of SCOPA | R1 675 314 |
| Mmusi Maimane | BOSA | Chair of the Appropriations Committee | R1 675 314 |
| Vuyolwethu Zungula | ATM | Minority Party Leader | R1 507 841 |
| Ganief Hendricks | Al Jama-ah | Deputy Minister of Social Development | R2 215 220 |
| Fadiel Adams | NCC | Minority Party Leader | R1 507 841 |
| Mzwanele Nyhontso | PAC | Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development | R2 689 937 |
| Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi | UAT | Minority Party Leader | R1 507 841 |
| Patricia de Lille | Good | Minister of Tourism | R2 689 937 |
The debate surrounding parliamentary salaries is likely to continue, with many South Africans questioning the fairness and transparency of the system.
