Security

Safety and security are at the heart of stability and economic growth. This sector encompasses policing, corrections, private security, and the justice system, employing hundreds of thousands across the country, represented by the Safety and Security SETA (SASSETA).

South Africa’s history has left a heavy imprint on its security landscape. The democratic state sought to reform policing into a community-based model while expanding safety through new policies and professional standards.

Today, South Africa faces one of the world’s highest crime rates, with violent crime, corruption, and gender-based violence eroding trust in the justice system. At the same time, the private security industry has exploded, employing more people than the South African Police Service. This reflects both demand for safety and gaps in state capacity.

By 2030, safety and security must undergo transformation. Professionalising the police, modernising corrections, and integrating technology into crime prevention will be crucial. Skills in forensic science, cybersecurity, criminology, and community policing will be increasingly in demand. The goal is not just crime reduction, but building a culture of safety that underpins economic and social stability.

Without security, investment dries up, businesses flee, and communities remain trapped in fear. South Africa’s next chapter depends on making security both effective and just.