As a business owner in South Africa, you’re constantly juggling priorities—growing your business, managing staff, and staying competitive. Amid the daily demands, it’s easy to overlook some of the more technical but legally required obligations that come with running a compliant business. Unfortunately, ignorance of these requirements can lead to penalties, spot inspections, and missed financial benefits.
Many small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assume their bookkeepers or accountants are handling all statutory submissions. However, this is often not the case when it comes to skills development and employment equity filings. As a result, many businesses unknowingly fall out of compliance with government legislation, exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.
Here are three critical submissions that every qualifying South African business should know about:
1. Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)
The Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) is an annual report that outlines your organisation’s planned training and development initiatives for the upcoming year. This report must be submitted to your relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) by 30 April each year.
Why it matters:
- It helps you claim back a portion of your Skills Development Levy (SDL) through mandatory grants.
- It enables your company to contribute to South Africa’s national skills development goals.
- It improves your B-BBEE score, specifically under the skills development pillar.
Who must submit?
If your annual payroll exceeds R500,000, you’re legally required to pay the Skills Development Levy—and you should be submitting a WSP to claim back what you’re entitled to.
2. Annual Training Report (ATR)
The Annual Training Report (ATR) goes hand-in-hand with the WSP. While the WSP outlines your training plans for the year ahead, the ATR records the training activities that actually took place in the past year. It serves as a progress report that SETAs use to assess whether your business is actively investing in workforce development.
Why it matters:
- It’s a critical component for accessing SETA funding and claiming back SDL contributions.
- It shows your commitment to upskilling your team and closing skills gaps in your organisation.
- It is mandatory for maintaining good standing with your SETA.
Who must submit?
Any company that submitted a WSP is also required to submit an ATR, typically through the same portal or platform, and by the same deadline: 30 April.
3. Employment Equity Plan and Reporting
The Employment Equity Plan (EE Plan) is a strategy document required under the Employment Equity Act. It outlines how your company plans to promote diversity and eliminate unfair discrimination in the workplace. Alongside the EE Plan, employers must also submit an EE Report (EEA2 form) annually.
Why it matters:
- It ensures compliance with national transformation goals and legal frameworks.
- Non-compliance can result in penalties, legal action, and being disqualified from government tenders or contracts.
- It’s a key component of B-BBEE verification, particularly for companies looking to improve their scorecard.
Who must submit?
- Companies with 50 or more employees
The EE Report must be submitted to the Department of Employment and Labour by 1 October (manual) or 15 January (online) each year.
Compliance with these submissions is not just about avoiding penalties, it’s about unlocking value, accessing funding, and showing your commitment to ethical, equitable business practices. At Moulder Skills Development, we specialize in handling these obligations for you. Acting as your external Skills Development Facilitator (SDF), we ensure your submissions are done on time, every time, so you can focus on what matters most, running and growing your business. If you’re unsure whether your business is compliant, get in touch. We’ll help you assess your current standing and take the right steps toward full compliance and peace of mind.