President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that South African women remain far from achieving an equal share of the nation’s wealth and land, despite representing more than half of the population. On 9 August 2026, addressing the country from the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa referenced recent data showing widening gender gaps in pay, property value, and accumulated wealth.

South African Women Continue To Face Significant Economic Disparities

According to research from SA-TIED, the gender pay gap in South Africa has worsened, with women earning just 78 cents for every rand earned by men in 2021, down from 89 cents in 2008. Studies by WTW indicate that women are projected to retire with only 71% of the wealth that men have accumulated over their working lives.

The gender wealth gap now exceeds the earnings gap, reflecting broader structural inequalities beyond workplace income, as outlined in research published by the South African Journal of Economics. While women-only buyers now own approximately 38% of all residential properties—more than men-only buyers at 29%—PropertyCentral reports that these purchases are more likely to be in lower-value segments, particularly homes priced below R750,000.

Presidential Response And Future Policy Commitments

During his speech, President Ramaphosa stated, “Women are more than half of our population, but they do not yet hold an equal share of our country’s wealth, its land or its enterprises.” He emphasised the double burden of underemployment and unpaid care work that disadvantages women, adding, “Too many women are without work. Too many earn less than men for doing the same work. Too many carry the burden of caring for families and households, labour that goes unrecognised and uncounted. This must change.”

Ramaphosa highlighted government efforts to address these disparities, announcing, “We are opening public procurement to women-owned businesses, so that what government spends helps to build women entrepreneurs.” This comes as gender activists and economists continue to call for more structural reforms in wage equity, property rights, and social support programmes.

The Presidency has indicated that further proposals addressing gendered wealth gaps are expected to be announced in the coming months through additional public consultations and draft policy amendments.