Make It Make Sense - What Is The Role Of Unions In The Fast Growing Gig-Economy?

Loading player...
From the picket lines of apartheid resistance to modern boardrooms negotiating wages, unions have been less of a background noise and more of a bassline shaping South Africa’s labour force. But today’s economy is shifting gig work, outsourcing, silent contracts, invisible workers.

In a world where work is changing shape faster than protection can keep up… do unions still feel like a shield, a voice, or a relic trying to keep pace with a runaway future?

Joining us on the line is Khwezi Mabasa former trade unionist and is with Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL): Wits University. Lecturer and Researcher.
4 May English South Africa Music · Comedy

Other recent episodes

Drive Moment - Childhood Games

Today on the Drive Moment we’re taking millennials back to childhood games. Before smartphones and WiFi, we played House using pure imagination but somehow certain friends always got certain roles. Maybe you were always forced to be the baby when you wanted to be the parent. When you played House…
28 May 11 min

Pro Tip - Employment Services of South Africa

South Africa continues to experience extremely high levels of unemployment, with the latest figures released by Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate stands at 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026. The high unemployment rate has increased pressure on government and private sector initiatives aimed at improving access to…
27 May 9 min

Drive Moment - Office Politics: Working Away from Home

According to Statistics South Africa, Gauteng attracts the largest share of internal migrants in the country. Approximately 4.5 million lifetime migrants (people residing in Gauteng but born elsewhere) live in the province. Roughly 28% of all South Africans who relocate across provinces do so for paid work, with Gauteng as…
27 May 14 min