NEASA was the first employers association to register under the Labour Relations Act of 1995, which allowed for the registration of employers’ associations not limited to specific industries. The first meeting of NEASA took place on 3 April 1996, when the steering committee, under the leadership of the current Chief Executive (Gerhard Papenfus), met in Johannesburg.

NEASA provides all employers, regardless of business size and industry, access to affordable, top quality labour law services, as well as other labour services. NEASA passionately defends the interests of employers nationally across all industries and multiple bargaining councils. Their presence is visible on all appropriate forums (parliament, courts and the media), and they are one of South Africa’s leading collective bargaining role players. NEASA is known to be South Africa’s most prominent lobbyist for the rights of employers.

The National Employers Association of South Africa commands a substantial presence in all sectors and industries in South Africa. NEASA is currently represented on the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC), Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) and the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI).