New

Building ethical institutions: Mandela’s legacy in human capital leadership

As we honour Nelson Mandela Day, Dr Lesego Rametsi, the managing executive for colleague experience at Absa Group calls on HR leaders to be reminded of leading with the same moral courage that defined Madiba’s life, ensuring that workplaces become spaces where doing what is right is just as important as doing what is profitable.

Clicks Group appoints Bridget Makhura as CPO

The Clicks Group has welcomed Bridget Makhura as the new CPO, where she looks forward to unlocking new possibilities, nurturing talent, and elevating the people strategy to even greater heights.

Culture isn't just a mood, it's how we move

According to Andee Uren, the executive head for workforce planning, optimisation and engagement at Nedbank, culture is reflected in everyday actions and unspoken norms that guide how people behave and collaborate. She shares how real cultural change happens when behaviours shift and the small barriers that slow progress are removed.

CHROs need to rethink leadership development

Jackie Kennedy, founder and CEO of LeadMe Academy, challenges CHROs to rethink leadership development. She argues that short-term fixes may look productive but rarely lead to real change, and highlights what to do instead.

Fractional HR changes the people game

For Jane Waters and Tracey Rowe, co-founders of 52.com, their business isn’t just a new chapter in their HR careers – it’s a reinvention of what HR can and should be.

HR leaders need to strengthen youth talent pipelines

As South Africa reflects on the sacrifices of past generations this Youth Month, Madelein du Plessis, head of HR for Bayer in sub-Saharan Africa, Lyndy van den Barselaar, MD of ManpowerGroup South Africa, and Anton Visser, COO of SA Business School & Alefbet Learning, stress the need to also focus on coordinated action to rebuild a sustainable youth talent pipeline.

Making DEIB meaningful in the workplace

Taegan Devar, an industrial psychologist and the managing director of PeopleSmart, explores why DEIB efforts often fall short. She highlights how organisations can move from just compliance to commitment, and what it takes to embed inclusion at every level.

HR executives call for more investment in the youth

As South Africa marks Youth Month, the conversation around youth development, unemployment, skills shortages, and future-ready leadership has never been more critical. Sandi Richardson, HR executive at RCS, Justin Hughes, Openserve’s executive for HR operations, and Vanessa Gibb, the people business partner at PNET, urge for strategic investments in young talent.

Leadership burnout: The reputational risk CHROs can’t afford to ignore

Burnout at senior leadership is the risk many overlook. Lana Hindmarch, co-founder of BREATHE, a leadership advisory firm that helps senior teams build burnout-proof high-energy cultures, explores how energy depletion quietly drains culture, trust, and performance, and why CHROs must act now.

Mitigating the risk of bad hires

From dealing with unemployment and fake qualifications, to ethical concerns and misrepresentation, today’s hiring process can be full of risk for CHROs. Marosha Pather, HR and client service executive at Mettus, unpacks how HR leaders can screen candidates smarter.

Vodacom’s HR director Njabulo Mashigo explains why ESG should be key in HR

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have evolved from a peripheral concern into a core component of business and investment strategy. Njabulo Mashigo, HR director for Vodacom, shares why ESG isn’t just about risk mitigation or investor relations – it’s a key driver of talent attraction and retention.

CPO Amanda Cusdin drives impact at Sage

Amanda Cusdin’s career spans continents, transformation initiatives and boardrooms. Today, as chief people officer at Sage, she leads 11,000 employees across the globe, but her journey began in a setting few would expect: amid the unrest of Northern Ireland's civil war.

2025 CHRO Day unlocks potential for rewriting the HR playbook

Inside the walls of the Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch, South Africa’s top HR leaders came together for 2025 CHRO Day on 28 May, diving into conversations centred on defining a new playbook in an era shaped by workplace change, digital transformation and a war in the fight for talent.

Shivani Naidoo joins Arjo as new Africa HR director

Arjo, a global supplier of medical devices and solutions, has appointed Shivani Naidoo as its new HR director in Africa, a move that marks the continuation of a journey rooted in healthcare and human impact.

Aba Ayirebi’s rise from assistant operations manager to head of people at Stor-Age

Aba Ayirebi never imagined how different the progression of her career would be, having completed an undergraduate qualification in BA International Relations from the University of Stellenbosch. She took what she thought would be a short-term sabbatical from her postgraduate LLB studies only to come across an intriguing job posting that led her to Stor-Age Property REIT Ltd, where she has now built a 13-year career.

Diana Johnson steps into new HR director role at BAT

Diana Johnson has been appointed as the new area HR director for APMEA South at British American Tobacco (BAT), a promotion that marks a significant milestone in her 17-year journey with the company.

Keeping the ‘human’ in human resources in an AI-driven world

HR leaders are learning to walk a fine line between embracing AI’s efficiency, while keeping people at the heart of automation. Sheryll Kisten, head of human resources at Stadio Higher Education, Sage CPO Amanda Cusdin and Stor-Age head of people Aba Ayirebi share practical steps leaders can take to upskill their teams in AI and data literacy.

Aneesa Khan crosses borders with HR for inclusion and impact

Having served as HR director for Beiersdorf in both Southern Africa and later in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Aneesa Khan’s career has taken her to exotic locations. Through working across multiple countries and cultures, she’s been able to explore her interest in human complexity in ways she never imagined.

Adapting sick leave policies to incorporate traditional medicine

In a country where traditional healing is an essential part of culture, new regulations are guiding the use of traditional healer sick notes. Thato Makoaba, associate in employment law practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, unpacks how HR can integrate these certificates while staying legally sound and inclusive.

Why ESG must move to the top of every CHRO's agenda

CHRO and ESG lead at Vector Logistics Annelie Govender is among the HR leaders integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities into the DNA of their organisations. She highlights why embedding ESG is more important now than ever.

A passion for people centres Bolekwa Maseti’s leadership

For Bolekwa Maseti, senior HR manager at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), her passion for people dates back to her high school years. It’s a passion that has helped her build a decades-long HR career.

Embracing change and championing culture at Heineken Beverages

While mergers are typically driven by systems and strategy, Enid Lizamore, people director at Heineken Beverages, highlights how placing people and culture at the core of their integration journey became the true foundation for culture-building and long-term success.

Building a thriving workplace through leadership and recognition

Salwa Albertyn, the group human resources executive of Empact Group, believes that a thriving workplace goes beyond competitive salaries and benefits. According to her, employees no longer just seek a paycheque - they seek purpose, appreciation, and a sense of belonging.

Rebaone Maakelo to oversee HR value chain at Interwaste

Rebaone Maakelo has been appointed as the group human resources director at Interwaste, where he will oversee the entire HR value chain for Interwaste Holdings and its subsidiaries across South Africa and Mozambique.

Navigating AI in HR: balancing changes with the human touch

As AI continues to transform workplaces, HR leaders face the uncertainty of integrating its efficiency while preserving the human-centric nature of their roles. Amanda Cusdin, chief people officer at Sage, shares how AI can enhance HR functions, the challenges of implementation, and the essential skills HR professionals can develop to be able to navigate AI while keeping the human touch at the center of their work.

Kate Shead shapes talent and culture with heart at Telviva

Kate Shead's journey to HR executive at Telviva, formerly Connection Telecom, is a testament to a deep-seated passion for people. While her early life found her navigating her career in a different field, it was a pivotal role she had as a PA to an HR director in the late 1990s that supported and ignited her true calling.

Balancing tech and human connection in executive coaching

The field of executive coaching is undergoing a transformation, driven by technological advancements and a deeper understanding of human potential. While AI and digital platforms make their mark, the core of transformative coaching remains deeply human.

Top