Understanding South Africa’s Care Regime
South Africa’s care regime encompasses the economic, social, and political structures that support caregiving in the country. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of caregiving in maintaining both economic stability and societal well-being. As families faced increased caregiving responsibilities due to school and childcare closures, it became evident that care work—both paid and unpaid—is fundamental to our collective resilience. This discussion document explores South Africa’s care regime, examining how care work intersects with issues like economic growth, gender equality, and social welfare.
Why the Care Economy Matters
The care economy is an essential yet undervalued part of South Africa’s broader economy. Care work, whether paid (like childcare and health services) or unpaid (such as household chores and elder care), underpins societal functions. It supports other sectors by allowing individuals to fully participate in the labor market, knowing that they and their dependents are cared for. However, persistent undervaluation of this work poses significant challenges: inadequate funding, limited accessibility, and the burden of caregiving on women, who make up the majority of unpaid caregivers. These challenges hinder economic participation and contribute to gender inequality.
Dimensions of Care Work in South Africa
Care work includes three main aspects: kinship and community caregiving, formal care for those with specific needs, and the societal value of care as a moral and relational imperative. Across these dimensions, the care economy sustains human relationships, maintains life, and enhances social cohesion. However, the societal and economic structures in place often underfund and underrecognize care work, particularly unpaid labor. Globally, unpaid caregiving contributes the equivalent of 9% of GDP, yet it remains economically invisible, a fact that reinforces both gendered norms and economic inequalities.
Towards a Transformative Care Policy
The document proposes pathways for a national care policy that acknowledges the interdependence of care and economic stability. By integrating an ethic of care into South African social policy, we can elevate the essential work of caregivers and address inequities rooted in race, gender, and economic status. Such a policy shift would not only promote inclusive growth but also ensure that caregiving receives the resources and respect it deserves, contributing to a just and cohesive society.
Conclusion
Building a care-focused social policy for South Africa requires recognizing care as central to economic and social life. By redefining the care economy’s role within national policy, we can foster an inclusive system that values both paid and unpaid caregiving and addresses critical issues such as gender inequality and access to quality care. This document is part of a broader series examining the care economy’s impact in the Global South, highlighting South Africa’s unique care regime and envisioning a policy landscape that supports and values caregiving as the foundation of a thriving society.
Amaarah is a Junior Programme Officer in the Rethinking Economics for Africa project. She is currently studying towards her Masters in Applied Development Economics at Wits University. 
Dr James Musonda is the Senior Researcher on the Just Energy Transition at the IEJ. He is also the Principal Investigator for the Just Energy Transition: Localisation, Decent Work, SMMEs, and Sustainable Livelihoods project, covering South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya.
Dr Basani Baloyi is a Co-Programme Director at the IEJ. She is a feminist, development economist and activist. She gained her research experience while working on industrial policy issues in academia, at the Centre For Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and Corporate Strategy and Industrial Development (CSID) Unit.
Dr Andrew Bennie is Senior Researcher in Climate Policy and Food Systems at the IEJ. He has extensive background in academic and civil society research, organising, and activism. Andrew has an MA in Development and Environmental Sociology, and a PhD in Sociology on food politics, the agrarian question, and collective action in South Africa, both from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Juhi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Sociology from Wits University and an Honours degree in Development Studies from the University of Cape Town. Her current research focus is on social care regimes in the South African context, with a particular focus on state responses to Early Childhood Development and Long-Term Care for older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her other research areas include feminist economics, worlds of work and the care economy.
Bandile Ngidi is the Programme Officer for Rethinking Economics for Africa. Bandile has previously worked at the National Minimum Wage Research Initiative and Oxfam South Africa. He holds a Masters in Development Theory and Policy from Wits University. He joined the IEJ in August 2018. Bandile is currently working on incubating the Rethinking Economics for Africa movement (working with students, academics and broader civil society). 
Liso Mdutyana has a BCom in Philosophy and Economics, an Honours in Applied Development Economics, and a Masters in Applied Development Economics from Wits University. His areas of interest include political economy, labour markets, technology and work, and industrial policy. Through his work Liso aims to show the possibility and necessity of economic development that prioritises human wellbeing for everyone.
Joan Stott holds a Bachelor of Business Science in Economics and a Master’s in Economics from Rhodes University. She brings to the IEJ a wealth of experience in public finance management, policy development, institutional capacity-building, and advancing socioeconomic and fiscal justice.
Siyanda Baduza is a Junior Basic Income Researcher at IEJ. He holds a BSc in Economics and Mathematics, an Honours degree in Applied Development Economics, and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Applied Development Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand. Siyanda’s research focuses on the impacts of social grants on wellbeing, with a particular focus on the gendered dynamics of this impact. His interests include applied micro-economics, policy impact evaluation, labour markets, gender economics, and political economy. He is passionate about translating economic research into impactful policy.
Shikwane is a Junior Programme Officer at IEJ focusing on civil society support and global governance in the G20. He has a background in legal compliance, IT contracting and student activism. He holds degrees in Political Studies and International Relations, as well as an LLB, from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Dr Tsega is a Senior Researcher focusing on Women’s Economic Empowerment within the G20. She examines gender equity in economic policy, with expertise in food systems and small enterprise development. She holds a PhD in development studies from the University of the Western Cape, an MA in Development Economics, and degrees in Development Studies and Economics from UNISA and Addis Ababa University.
Nerissa is a G20 Junior Researcher at IEJ, focusing on advancing civil society priorities within the G20 framework. She bridges data, research, and policy to advance inclusive economic frameworks. She is completing a Master’s in Data Science (e-Science) at the University of the Witwatersrand, and holds Honours and Bachelor’s Degrees in International Relations with distinction. She has worked as a Research Fellow at SAIIA and a Visiting Research Fellow at Ipea in Brazil.
Dr Mzwanele is a Senior Researcher supporting South Africa’s G20 Sherpa with policy research. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Birmingham and an MSc from the University of the Witwatersrand. His work covers open macroeconomics, trade, finance, and higher education policy, and he has published widely on inequality, unemployment, household debt and higher education curriculum reform.
Kamal is the Project Lead for IEJ’s G20 work, focusing on sovereign debt and development finance. He holds a BComm (Hons) in Applied Development Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand and an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Economic Policies for the Global Transition. He has worked with SCIS, UNCTAD and co-founded Rethinking Economics for Africa.