CONSTANCE Nkomo has been a domestic worker since 2007. After becoming a mother at a young age and facing limited opportunities, she took on the role to provide for her family.
“I’ve never taken my job for granted,” says Nkomo, who lives in Roodepoort. Eighteen years later, she has no plans to pursue a different career path.
Nkomo works across several households and is employed through Sweepsouth, a platform that connects domestic workers with clients. One of the things she values most about her job is the flexibility.
“I feel like I’m my own boss. I get to choose how I work, which gives me time to spend with my kids,” she explains.
However, the job is not without its challenges—many of which stem from clients who fail to respect domestic workers and their time.
“I struggle with clients who smoke. Sometimes you arrive and they’re high—it’s really uncomfortable. Then there are those who haven’t booked you in two months but expect you to finish everything in half the time. It’s just too much,” she says.
Another major frustration for Nkomo is when clients don’t provide proper cleaning products.
“They expect miracles, and then rate you poorly for the quality of the clean,” she says.
Nkomo’s story reflects the experiences of hundreds of thousands of domestic workers across South Africa. Their message is simple: they don’t ask for favors—just respect, fair treatment, and pay in line with labour laws.
The 8th Annual Sweepsouth Report released today lists how employers of domestic workers can effect change.
Fair compensation: Ensure your domestic worker receives a living wage. Assess your current pay practices using tools like the Living Wage Calculator (living-wage.co.za).
Respectful treatment: Treat your domestic worker with dignity and respect. Be mindful of
their physical and mental wellbeing, recognising the additional responsibilities many face as caregivers.
Promote mental health awareness and support access to resources like The Warrior Project (https://thewarriorproject.org.za/) if they experience abuse.
Legal compliance: Adhere to labour laws, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Sectoral Determination Seven on Domestic Work, and the National Minimum Wage. Uphold their rights to annual leave, sick leave, lunch breaks, and reasonable working hours. (For a comprehensive guide, visit izwi.org.za).
Shared resources: Consider sharing bulk food purchases with your domestic worker. This can help alleviate their higher food costs due to limited buying power and transportation options.
Community engagement: Advocate for fair domestic worker pay within your social circles and community.
Use your voice on social media to raise awareness about the challenges faced by domestic workers.
Article originally published in The Sunday Tribune. Written by Annie Dorasamy.
