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Nomaswazi has been the human capital executive within the bank for four years.

For many organisations, attracting, developing and retaining top talent feels like an ongoing challenge. But what if the real problem isn’t the talent itself – but the unseen gaps in your strategy?

With each new year comes a new level of responsibility for Nerisha Kistan. In January 2024, she stepped into the role of HR Director at Canon EMEA, and by January 2025, she was also promoted to the title of statutory director.

As workplaces continue evolving, talent remains at the heart of every successful organisation.

Lettie-Basani Phume, the group human capital executive at Momentum Group, believes that delivering an exceptional client experience starts with an exceptional employee experience. Speaking to CHRO South Africa, she explains what it takes to help people feel supported, the company’s focus areas for the future, and initiatives aimed at developing women executives.

Tebogo will be using her skills to drive effective operations and organisational effectiveness at Nyanza Light Metals.

As the role of executive coaching evolves, CHROs planning to hire coaches in the new year have a number of factors to consider.

Head of human capital for Axiz, Robert Nkuna, says he has been privileged to work with many CEOs through mergers and acquisitions on his HR journey. This, he believes, has given him a solid foundation.

Linda Keun has been promoted to chief people officer at The Catalyst Group.

Middle managers play a vital role between decisions taken at executive level and their implementation on the ground, says Dolores S Mashishi, managing director: HR solutions, and advisor and executive coach at DSM Advisory.

The executive head of human capital for Santam, Norah Sehunoe, believes in a holistic and strategic approach to the employee experience. CHRO South Africa spoke to Norah about being an employer of choice, nurturing staff, and focus points for the year ahead.

Zenobia Mothilal’s journey to HR leadership at Pepkor Lifestyle is one of resilience, determination and breaking barriers. As a woman who defied societal expectations, Zenobia Inspires young women to chart their own paths, overcome obstacles, and embrace their unique strengths.

JJ Van der Walt, legal counsel for employment law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, unpacks why a recent Constitutional Court judgment has put the spotlight on retirement age, agreed upon retirement age, and how that is interpreted.

HR executives say the employment equity bill marks a pivotal step in South Africa’s journey toward a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

Bertus Jacobs, the new head of people at Multi-Media, says he likes to create impactful solutions that empower individuals and strengthen organisations.

Head of people and performance for the Cotton On Group’s Africa’s market, Portia Sithole is steering the entity towards a future where human capital is valued and nurtured.

A new year often means a new start and a new way of doing things. This is as applicable in the C-suite as it is within the rest of the organisation. And, while CHROs often consider EAPs and wellness programmes for their teams and the wider organisation, executive health is also an important focus area.

Menushka van der Westhuizen is the new human resources director for South Africa at Saint-Gobain.

JJ Van der Walt, legal counsel for employment law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, unpacks key provisions of the bill.

Eskom’s new people chief, Dr Candice Hartley, says it is a great honour to join the utility's giant in navigating the complexities of the energy sector and striving towards a sustainable future.

With a career spanning several industries and countries, Raubex’s group HR head, Trevor Dale, approaches the discipline with pragmatism and a deep commitment to employee wellbeing and organisational efficiency.

In part two of this two-part article, Old Mutual Corporate’s Kim-Lee Wentzel-Ricketts, Nabeela Noorani and Samantha Jagdessi share five ways to mitigate the shock of retirement and bring the reality closer to expectations.

Leading HR executives got together to discuss some red hot topics currently dominating the people agenda within their organisations.

Nomsa Mngadi has been appointed as head of people services: Southern Africa at De Beers Group.

Exxaro CPO Joseph Rock’s love for travel initially brought him to South Africa’s vibrant shores. But it wasn’t just the breathtaking landscapes or the diverse cultures that captivated him. It was the phenomenal people that captured his heart and motivated him – and his family – to call the country home for the past 25 years.

Many retirees face a massive gap between their retirement dream and their lived retirement reality. In part one of this two-part article, Old Mutual Corporate’s Kim-Lee Wentzel-Ricketts, Nabeela Noorani and Samantha Jagdessi share which assumptions often go awry and how behaviours as well as expectations can be shifted.

Duke Mgaga has been appointed as the chief people officer at the Parliament of South Africa.

Leading HR executives got together to discuss some red hot topics currently dominating the people agenda within their organisations.

Lindiwe Miyambu, chief people officer at the Auditor-General South Africa, is transforming the way the public sector entity operates.

Empathy and prioritising people will no doubt continue to be top of mind for the people agenda for 2025.

All things tech dominated CHRO conversations in 2024 – balancing AI with the human touch, for one, will no doubt continue to dominate in the new year.

CHRO South Africa spotlights the headline-grabbing moves that shook up the HR world this year!

As 2025 approaches, the global talent landscape is evolving rapidly, demanding fresh strategies to attract, retain and empower employees. From Gen Z leadership to AI-driven branding, Celeste Sirin, CEO of Employer Branding Africa outlines the trends reshaping employer branding.

Nkirote Njiru, CHRO for Old Mutual East Africa, shares how being tasked with culture integration became a career-defining pivot.

Executive director of HR at Vodacom SA and 2022 CHRO of the Year winner Njabulo Mashigo is the latest addition to the 2025 CHRO Awards judging panel.

Nomfundo Vilakazi has been appointed as HR director for Dis-Chem Pharmacies.

Gcobisa Ntshona, African Bank’s Chief People Officer, shares how she and her team drive growth and innovation with a transformative people-first approach.

From taking inspiration from her mother and grandmother on how to overcome adversity to better understanding the challenges of women in the workplace, Deloitte’s chief people officer, Lungile Mahluza, is determined to make a contribution that will outlive her.

Attracting, engaging and retaining top talent has become more important than ever. And, as economic pressures mount and regulatory frameworks evolve, companies are being forced to innovate their pay and benefits strategies to ensure equity, fairness and financial security for their employees.

Ignoring workplace bullying can have a detrimental impact on productivity and work performance. CHROs Boniwe Dunster, Palesa Matoli, Bess Kankolongo, Dr Ngao Motsei and Tantaswa Fubu talk about practical ways to eradicate bullying from the workplace and how best to create psychologically safe work spaces.

Palesa Matoli, the executive head of human capital and transformation at Bidvest Bank, who recently took home both the 2024 Transformation & Empowerment Award and the Young CHRO of the Year Award, shares her approach and leadership style.

Nominations for the 2025 CHRO Awards are open!

C-suite HR leaders gathered to discuss the profound impact AI and robotics continues to have on HR practices at an exclusive dinner at Table Seven in Cape Town.

Emelia Abotsi, newly appointed CHRO at Fuchs Electronics, leads transformation, inclusion and innovation, leveraging extensive HR expertise and visionary leadership.

Men’s health awareness month highlights more than physical wellbeing – it’s a reminder to prioritise mental resilience for a balanced, fulfilling life, writes international performance coach Alvin Govender. 

S’ne Magagula, CHRO at Tiger Brands, who recently earned the coveted title of 2024 CHRO of the Year, reflects on her journey and shares the core principles that have guided her and continue to inspire her transformative approach to leadership.

Ndivhu hopes to put her unique vision and strategic mindset to work at MAZIV to create a collaborative environment.

AI is transforming HR functions by taking over time-consuming, repetitive tasks, enabling HR teams to focus on more meaningful work. But, as Andre Cloete, chief IT Officer at 4Sight Holdings, points out, AI should never replace the human element.

Lisa will be responsible for driving HR initiatives across the organisation’s operations.

Mmabatho Tlale, ZEDA’s chief human capital officer, is a doer who is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Part of an exco made up predominantly of black women, she says this strategy is an intentional one to empower women in the car rental sector.

The vast majority of South Africa’s deskless workers enjoy their jobs, but low wages and unreliable public transport remain daily stressors. This was revealed in the 2024 Deskless Worker Pulse, a research report by Jem HR, a WhatsApp-based HR and employee benefits platform tailored for frontline workforces.

Thato Schermer, CEO of Zoie Health, shares her vision for EasyDoc, a revolutionary WhatsApp-based healthcare platform.

Embodying what lies at the heart of human resources – valuing people – this year’s annual CHRO Awards were a night of glitz, glamour and gratitude.

Tiger Brands CHRO S’ne Magagula walked away with the prestigious honour of 2024 CHRO of the Year at the 'Oscars of HR', which took place on 14 November at the Polo Room, Inanda Club.

The annual CHRO Awards recognise CHROs of listed companies, large corporations, state-owned entities and government institutions and award them for outstanding performance and leadership. Billed as the Oscars of HR, the ceremony will host top CHROs, VIPs and business partners for an exquisite evening of networking, entertainment and fine cuisine.

Momentum Corporate is leading the way in employee value and experience by sponsoring the prestigious 2024 Employee Value Proposition (EVP) Award at the 2024 CHRO Awards.

With just a few hours to go before CHRO South Africa announced the winner of the prestigious 2024 CHRO of the Year Award, judges James Ramakau, Caryn Baird and Tumelo Seaketso shared their thoughts on what it takes to scoop the most highly acclaimed award in the Southern Africa HR landscape.

MakwaIT, the sponsor of the 2024 HR & Technology Award, believes in redefining HR, merging cutting-edge tech with a people-first approach in order to elevate employee experience and business success in.

GIBS champions excellence in learning and development by sponsoring the 2024 CHRO Learning & Development (L&D) Award, reinforcing its mission to shape impactful, sustainable business leaders.

Kyle says he felt like he was stepping into a mission-driven opportunity to transform mobility access for underbanked individuals when he took up the role at Planet42 as head of people.

Curious about what’s on the bedside tables of top HR leaders? These CHROs share the books that have left a lasting impact, shaping their views on life, leadership and personal growth.

Fresh from the International EMBRAS Annual Awards,Celeste Sirin, employer branding specialist and CEO of Employer Branding Africa, shares her observations on how top global companies tackle leadership pipelines, employee engagement and ESG-driven impact.

With the 2024 CHRO Awards are around the corner, Mercer has come on board as the official sponsor for the 2024 Young CHRO of the Year Award.

Mediclinic Southern Africa confirmed the appointment in a statement, adding that it was effective as of 1 September 2024.

Luyanda Finini, executive director of HR at the Eastern Cape Department of Health, believes being part of the public health sector speaks to his deep-rooted commitment to making a tangible difference.

Wilson, who joined the firm in October 2024, was previously the HR director at Sumitomo Rubber South Africa.

South Africa’s HR elite are set to converge at the 2024 CHRO Awards. With host Nicholas Goliath and a powerful performance by Musa Motha, the community will celebrate their resilience, transformation and leadership on 14 November.

This award honours leaders who demonstrate exceptional strategic vision, innovative thinking and a commitment to advancing the human resources function.

Talking to delegates at the 2024 HR Indaba, Dr Renate Scherrer and Maya Krzyzanowska spoke about why development programmes fail, and how organisations can fix them. They stress simple, behaviour-focused methods to make leadership development easier to incorporate into daily routines.

Despite the growing significance of Artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, Samad Masood, associate vice president at Infosys Knowledge Institute, says it’s time the focus shifts from AI itself to its implications for people.

Netstar's human capital executive, Phumzile Hlatshwayo, champions people-first leadership, high-performance culture, and engagement.

The company views its sponsorship as a way to acknowledge the progress HR professionals are making.

Top HR executives gathered to discuss navigating political instability, financial wellness and global tensions at an exclusive dinner at the Saxon Hotel hosted by Mercer South Africa and CHRO South Africa.

CHRO South Africa asks industry leaders about their most pressing concerns and how they are adapting to this new era of work and preparing organisations for an unpredictable future.

HR is the engine behind any thriving organisation, but managing HR in the public sector comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities, says CHRO of the Competition Commission, Londiwe Mncube.

Founder of The Human Touch Maggie Mojapelo gives insight into how she spent over five decades gathering knowledge, getting experience and making an impact in organisations worldwide with transformative HR.

Flexibility, employee benefits and a workplace culture that prioritises mental health have become critical in attracting and retaining talent, writes Kirsty Phaal, senior vice president of HR at NTT DATA: Middle East and East Africa.

Misalignment is impacting the workplace as people realise that their jobs may not be aligned with their beliefs, values and passions in life. CHROs unpacked this discussion at the 2024 HR Indaba, with speakers giving their insights into this alarming trend.

Cell C CPO Juba Mashaba, Floatpays CPO Andisa Liba and Shirley Zinn unpack the root cause of workplace bullying and toxicity during an HR Indaba 2024 panel discussion.

Leaders should be measured on how they manage the culture of the organisation, Santam’s Norah Sehunoe, Life Healthcare’s Avanthi Parboosing and Famous Brands’ Jabu Mahange revealed during an HR Indaba 2024 panel discussion.

During this year’s HR Indaba, Kindred Technology’s Roland Glass, Discovery’s Khaya Linaya and CCBA’s Terryn Palani explained that employees should be at the centre of the onboarding experience, then culture and compliance will follow.

In the wake of the company’s groundbreaking five-year wage agreement with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), Rand Refinery’s HR division sat down with CHRO South Africa managing director Joel Roërig at the 2024 HR Indaba on 8 October to shed light on how the deal came together behind the scenes.

At the 2024 HR Indaba, attendees heard how to tackle bullying, a pervasive workplace issue, head-on.

At the 2024 HR Indaba, leading HR professionals discussed imposter syndrome, sharing insights on overcoming self-doubt and embracing personal growth through self-awareness, vulnerability, and support networks.

2024 HR Indaba attendees heard how the bank helps frontline employees transition into scarce tech roles through an innovative internal mobility strategy.

The Competition Commission found itself in a bind with a human capital enterprise resource planning system that isn’t living up to its promise and it has learnt a few hard lessons along the way. At the 2024 HR Indaba, experts discussed how to avoid these issues.

Discovery CEB explains how it uses data-driven insights to improve employee benefits, focusing on overall wellbeing to attract and retain talent.

Now more than ever, we should prioritise mental health in the workplace, writes Matimba Mbungela, CHRO at Vodacom Group, as the world commemorated World Mental Health Day on 10 October .

At the 2024 HR Indaba, Mustek Group’s leaders shared their journey in transforming HR from a support role to a strategic powerhouse.

A group of HR leaders gathered at the Saxon Hotel’s dining library on 9 October 2024 to exchange knowledge and insights on how to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time – the skills crunch. The three-hour dinner, hosted by CHRO South Africa in partnership with LinkedIn and Ayanda Mbanga Communications, provided a rare opportunity for C-suite human capital leaders to brainstorm avenues for retaining talent in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

After a Transnet employee approached her superiors about being called to become a sangoma, the logistics company determined that there was a need for a spiritual leave policy, attendees at the 2024 HR Indaba heard.

Belief creates belonging, which is the glue that connects you to an organisation and translates directly into performance, LRMG’s Ricky Robinson and conversation strategist Nozipho Tshabalala reveal during an HR Indaba panel discussion.

As artificial intelligence continues to gain ground across industries, companies are increasingly confronted with the contentious issues of consent and ethics. Also key is the question of whether AI will render certain roles obsolete, resulting in job losses. In a panel discussion at the HR Indaba, leaders reflected on the possibilities AI offers.

HR professionals understand that the world of work is constantly changing. They need to lead the way – and AI can help them be at the forefront, said Jannie Malan at the 2024 HR Indaba.

At the 2024 HR Indaba, Telesure Investment Holdings and Glyde Consulting shared how their successful Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation took shape.

As the awareness about women’s wellness increases in organisations, leaders need to take action toward changing the unique challenges that women go through in workplaces, HR Indaba audiences heard today.

The HR Indaba was a massive success! Have a look at some of the pictures from the day that was.

In an era where organisational dynamics are in rapid flux, Themba Chakela, head of people, culture and change at e-Motion Consulting, told HR Indaba delegates that the key to organisational success lies with human capital, while giving a roadmap for leveraging expertise.

In an increasingly individualistic work culture, a panel of HR leaders at the 2024 HR Indaba called on business leaders to place kindness at the centre of their strategy and recognise that employees are human before they are workers. Speakers urged a return to ubuntu as the animating principle in workplace relations.

Merger and acquisition (M&A) deals are on the increase, with data from WTW showing 46 deals valued at more than $1 billion having been completed in the last three months alone. As companies continue to do acquisitions, it is vital that the people component is not ignored, attendees at the HR Indaba heard .

We are a country known for navigating trauma, so we are built for resilience, said the speakers at the 2024 HR Indaba’s session on building resilience.

HR experts Terence Moolman, global chief strategy and people officer at Syspro, Guy Lundy, director at Spenser Stuart SA, and Rea Motshegare, HR director, Scatec SSA discussed embracing agility to drive success at the 2024 HR Indaba.

As HR professionals experience increased workloads and have to work longer hours, they are shifting to automation, with a large number of companies already having started automating processes, said Gerhard Hartman at the 2024 HR Indaba.

Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes kicked off the HR Indaba 2024 with a powerful keynote address.

Atlas Finance human capital partner and team lead Barry Dell gives insight into how the shaping of people and culture is at the core of Atlas Finance’s 30-year success.

The financial institution will be part of the partner line-up at the 2024 HR Indaba.

The marketing and branding powerhouse will be part of the partner line-up at the 2024 HR Indaba.

In a virtual world where human connections are scarce, fostering workplace relationships is more crucial than ever.

The higher education institution will be part of the partner line-up at the 2024 HR Indaba.

The South African Institute of Professional Accountants has shown its support for the event and will join a growing number of exhibitors on 8 October 2024.

The HR software solutions firm will be showcasing its offerings at the show on 8 October 2024.

Awetomate will be showing its support for the 2024 HR Indaba as a Silver Partner.

As part of the partnership, the HR Indaba will have Sign Language interpreters this year.

Thooto will be showing its support for the 2024 HR Indaba as a Silver Partner.

Mavis Kgabane, training coordinator at Maccauvlei Learning Academy, highlights how human capital development through upskilling and technology adoption drives long-term business success and growth.

The modern, multi-generational workplace requires organisations to rethink their employee benefits to attract and retain talent and boost productivity, writes Thenjiwe Ramorotho, regional general manager: inland at Old Mutual Corporate.

The company will exhibit at the HR Indaba as a Gold Partner.