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.
On the evening of 22 October, at the cosy Saxon Hotel’s dining library, leading HR executives gathered to unpack various ways to navigate the external yet fundamental pressures businesses face.
The dinner, hosted in collaboration with Mercer Africa, saw the group weigh in on a number of issues including political instability, mental and financial wellness, immigration and expat laws. Alongside these challenges, the group also discussed the economic pressures such as inflation, currency fluctuations, and downturns which further complicate the landscape.
Money, mind and the two-pot system
First on the cards as a great external factor was mental wellness which, the majority agreed, is closely aligned with financial wellness.
One attendee, describing their organisation as one with a majority young workforce, said they have been faced with a challenge of employees committing suicide.
“In the past year or so we have had no less than four young staff members taking their own lives. We have tried to encourage others to use the wellness support tools we have, to speak earnestly to management and we have even gone as far as trying to spot those on the verge and suggesting interventions, but we seem to be working at a loss and not finding the right solutions.”
Another, who resonated with the young workforce, highlighted that the current financial crisis has a major impact on individuals. “I think the root cause is the financial pressure that our society is under. We saw it most recently with the introduction of the two-pot system, where multitudes of our workforces withdrew their funds, despites the downside of it all. This is a clear indication of how many are living hand to mouth, and how deep-rooted the financial pressures are.”
Another executive, however, cautioned that as HR leaders there is only so much they can do to aid and support the staff. “As HR leaders, yes we are holding the staff wellbeing at the centre of our palms but what I have come to realise is that – particularly with the two-pot system – many of our people are withdrawing those funds to squander and not actually remedy the current strain on their financial situations.”
The executive, to the agreement of the other attendees, added that many organisations have financial literacy programmes in place but unfortunately these are not utilised.
War zones, social media and people
Guests also acknowledged the current challenges brought by the geopolitical and social warfares currently happening.
“Who would have thought we would be bringing up our children in a world surrounded by so many wars,” exclaimed one guest.
Other wars, such as the war on Gaza, have more prevalence than that between China and Taiwan, said one guest. “Everyone comes to work with one or other war in their head and unfortunately as tensions escalate locally and globally, HR departments face challenges in maintaining workplace harmony.”
The guest noted that although not much is discussed about the global wars in local business corridors, there is a growing prevalence of cross-border African tensions, especially on social media, and in turn it is having an effect on expats and global workforces.
“We have seen a growing number of immigration officers doing random searches at offices as a result of the anti-immigrant stances that we have seen from political parties and social media. For the most part, it has made our workers in other countries feel unsafe and targeted, and equally for migrant workers.”
At the end of the night, the dinner guests all agreed that as HR business leaders they need to continue to create psychological safety in the workspaces, share knowledge as a community so as to help each other with different scenarios. As one succinctly put it, “We need to start quantifying and incorporating these kinds of things in our risk register so that we actively start mitigating them.”
Those in attendance:
Bongani Phakathi, executive human resources and public affairs, Assore
Elanie Kruger, chief people officer, Tsebo Holdings SA
Keletjo Chiloane, Mercer Africa
KG Bako, Managing executive: people & culture corporate and investment banking, ABSA
Kgaogelo Letsebe, Managing editor, CHRO South Africa
Lisete Harris, Mercer Africa
Mahlogonolo Masenya, Head of HR, Makwa IT
Mmabatho Tlale, Chief human capital officer, ZEDA
Navasha Chetty, CHRO – HR Executive, JSE
Phil Tshikotshi , Vice president – human resources, Startek
Rahab Matabane, Director: human resources & facilities management, Mekan Group
Shalini Bhateja, VP: HR – Africa, Coca-Cola
Sungula Nkabinde, Community manager, CHRO South Africa
Zenobia Mothilal, HR manager, Pepkor Lifestyle
