Faster queues but fewer jobs? South Africans debate rise of self-checkout machines.
Image: XOLILE MTEMBU
As automation and artificial intelligence (AI) begin reshaping workplaces across South Africa, everyday citizens are grappling with what the future might hold.
From factory floors to fast-food counters and even office desks, machines and smart systems are steadily taking on tasks once done by people.
To understand how ordinary South Africans feel about the shift, IOL took to the streets, speaking to people from all walks of life to hear their hopes, fears and expectations.
Some welcomed the rise of automation, saying technology could boost productivity and open doors to new industries, while others worried it might deepen unemployment in a country already battling joblessness.
For many, the issue struck a deeply personal chord: parents wondering what jobs their children will have one day, workers questioning whether their skills will still matter, and young people trying to decide what careers are 'future-proof'.
Andile Bhengu told IOL that he finds the checkout machines that are in fast food chains and even groceries, convenient and easy to use.
He has already embraced the technology. "I find it very easy to use because it saves time by not going to the cashiers and being in the queue."
For him, the machines offer a fast alternative for shoppers who want to get in and out without waiting in long lines.
He said trying the machines for the first time was not intimidating at all. Curious by nature, he was eager to give them a go and quickly got the hang of it.
"The first time I used them it wasn't very difficult because I'm always a person who likes to experience new things, so they weren't difficult at all," he said.
The 23-year-old added that people should not be afraid to try the new systems.
But despite enjoying the convenience, Bhengu warned that stores should not rush to replace human workers.
He stressed that removing cashiers could worsen the country's already high unemployment and leave some shoppers struggling.
"The stores should keep the cashiers because if they got rid of them, that means more jobs would be taken away from people, so that means higher unemployment rates," he said.
Bhengu also added that many customers still rely on staff for help when the machines are confusing or faulty.
However, for Kuhle Mhlongo, who works for one of the country's largest grocery stores, automation is a threat.
"I can understand why customers welcome it. It gets super crowded at the stores sometimes and people have to wait in line.
"But I would like to believe that customers can handle a few minutes of waiting if it means I can save my job," she said.
She claimed that queues have already been lessened by delivery services, with customers opting to have their groceries done and delivered to them.
"Convenience is great, but there should be a cap. Human workers at tills are necessary, especially for the disabled and the elderly.
"I also don't think people factor in the human interaction that happens when someone shops, there is a loneliness epidemic. For some of my regular older customers, me and my colleagues are the only people they talk to for days at a time."
But the 32-year-old revealed that she is in school in hopes of a better paying career and said the job she has was meant to be for a few months but, due to no other opportunity, she had to stay.
Toni, a retired technician is a bit more optimistic.
"It's easy to operate, it takes some time to learn," he said. "I prefer the machines to the cashiers because you don't have to stand in line."
However, the 63-year-old also emphasised the need for human workers.
"If you have an issue with something, you need to speak to a person... But it is obvious that people are going to lose jobs to these machines. It is happening in various industries.
"Automation is the way to go but, it will unfortunately affect people's lives. So, the government needs to come in and create more jobs."
Technology, he said, is unstoppable and South Africans need to reckon with this reality.
"To compete with the world, we need to go forward with technology. Every industry is impacted by this in different forms, it is difficult in the beginning, but I would say it's time that people adapted."
So, as technology continues to advance, retailers appear determined to move forward with digital solutions. Whether loved or loathed, the self-checkout revolution seems set to stay, reshaping the way South Africans shop one scan at a time.
*Additional reporting by Cherie Vertuin and Kayla Dercksen.
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