So… about that raise: What you really need to know before you ask

Ah, midyear in South Africa: frost on the windscreen, back-to-back power naps at your desk, and salary review emails quietly popping into inboxes like uninvited ghosts. With inflation humming in the background and grocery prices doing their best Olympic sprint, many employees are wondering: “Am I actually getting an increase this year?”

Speaking on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, Lindiwe Sebesho – a master reward specialist and executive committee member at the South African Reward Association – helped separate hopeful fiction from harsh fiscal fact when it comes to salary increases this year.

Spoiler alert: the average increase this year sits at around 5–6%, which, according to Sebesho, technically counts as a “real” increase thanks to a slightly lower CPI. But for anyone who’s recently stood in a supermarket queue staring at the price of cheese, it’s clear the real cost of living is outpacing even the boldest budget forecasts.

So who’s faring better? Employees in high-demand industries like finance, tech, and healthcare may have reason to smile, while others are being advised to trade in unrealistic expectations for a well-researched, performance-based pitch.

Sebesho urges employees to do their homework before walking into those delicate salary discussions. That means reading the company’s integrated report (yes, they do exist), understanding your job’s actual worth using reputable sources, and considering the full value of your total rewards package — benefits, bonuses, and all.

And what’s the number one mistake people make when asking for more money? It’s not just entitlement — it’s ignorance. Walking into HR with a vague sense of deserving more and zero understanding of the company’s performance or pay philosophy is a rookie error.

Sebesho also had a gentle word for employers: clearer communication, greater transparency, and a reminder that remuneration isn’t just about cash — it’s about recognition, security, and wellbeing too.

So, if you’re sharpening your arguments for that raise, or simply want to know what’s driving decisions behind the scenes, this conversation is a must-listen. It won’t put extra zeros on your payslip, but it will help you approach salary season with your expectations — and dignity — intact.