Anele stands by domestic worker tweets: ‘They’re raising your kids’

Anele Mdoda has clapped back at criticism of her tweet admonishing South Africans who exploit their domestic work sector.

The radio personality came under fire from social media users who claimed she was “tweeting from privilege.”

On Thursday, 5 July, the 947 presenter slammed a job advertisement that offered R2500 for a live-in helper. As of 1 March, the Department of Employment and Labour implemented a new rate of just over R25 or each ordinary hour worked as the country’s minimum wage.

ANELE CLAPS BACK AT DOMESTIC WORKER EXPLOITATION

The job ad – which was shared in a Facebook group called “I Know A Guy” – found its way onto Twitter.

ALSO READ: Something or nothing? Tweeps split over paying domestic worker R200 a day

It read: “Looking for a stay-in helper for my eight-year-old daughter. Please, any recommendations? Salary: R2500. Age: 33-45”

Anele reacted to the ad, sharing her disdain for the person who posted it. She tweeted: “Who is this 33-year-old that must earn R2500 a month? We have to come to terms with the fact that we can’t afford full-time nannies. This is evil”.

ALSO READ: ‘Bake rusks too?’: Family’s ‘home manager’ job spec angers tweeps

CLAPPING BACK AT CRITICISM

Responding to the criticism, Anele insisted exploiting domestic workers was “wrong.”

When one follower claimed that many individuals were desperate for cash, forcing them to settle for exploitation, Anele responded: “That’s where the problem lies.”

The mom-of-one also clapped back: “Once a month, we must have this conversation of y’all treating nannies like you are doing them a favour when they are the ones raising your kids.”

But ke once a month we must have this conversation of y’all treating nannies like you are doing them a favour when they are the ones raising your kids. Okay guys.

— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) July 5, 2023

ALSO READ: ‘Litre of petrol costs more than domestic worker minimum wage’: Tweeps bemoan fuel hike

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS?

In South Africa, domestic work and nanny tasks often go hand-in-hand.

On 1 March 2023, the Department of Employment and Labour gazetted a domestic worker minimum wage increase from R23.19 [in 2022] to R25.42 per hour.

Assuming a domestic worker works for a minimum of 160 hours per month – broken down into eight hours per day, 20 days per month – their monthly minimum wage would be R4067,20.

For the daily rate of eight hours, this amounts to R203,36

Employers were also encouraged to register their domestic workers with the Compensation Fund against injuries on duty. 

However, the United Domestic Workers of South Africa claim this figure is still too low. President Pinky Mashiane told Cape Talk: “The national minimum wage is something to those underpaid and exploited domestic workers.

“They [domestic workers] are more exploited now than ever”