More than 3 000 HR professionals gathered at the 2025 HR Indaba, creating a space where ideas were tested, experiences shared and assumptions challenged.
Across panels and sessions, the focus remained firmly on the realities facing HR today. Here are some of the conversations that took place.
Embrace emergent change
In her opening keynote, Bertina Engelbrecht, group CEO of Clicks Group, challenged HR leaders to rethink how they respond to uncertainty. Using lessons from nature, technology and crisis leadership, she reframed HR’s role as one that enables experimentation, builds relationships and helps organisations regenerate and emerge stronger through constant change.
Read more: Embrace emergent change, says Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht at 2025 HR Indaba
Where purpose meets profit
In a panel about purpose as a strategic differentiator, S’ne Magagula, CPO at Tiger Brands; KG Bako, managing executive: talent management & transitions at Absa Group; and Juba Mashaba, CPO at Cell C, explored how purpose anchors people strategy. From nourishing communities and advancing financial inclusion to uniting organisations through turnaround, the discussion showed how purpose sustains momentum when markets and morale are tested.
Read more: HR execs reveal that purpose is the real bottom line
Building collaborative cultures
During a candid conversation on culture, Charlotte Mokoena, former VP for HR and corporate affairs at Sasol; Lindiwe Miyambu, chief people and marketing officer at Afrocentric Group; and Kyle Chetty, CHRO of Planet42, unpacked the barriers that block collaboration. The panel examined the impact of hierarchy, leadership consistency and behavioural intent in shaping cultures that enable performance and trust.
Read more: HR leaders emphasise people, leadership and culture as pillars of success
From a seat at the table to steering the ship
In a panel about HR’s strategic evolution, Sharon Taylor, chief people and culture officer at Standard Bank Group; Rachel Masuku, group HR executive at the SABC; and Sana-Ullah Bray, group executive for human capital at Sanlam, reflected on how HR leaders now co-steer organisations. They explored executive influence, culture as a shareholder concern and the growing expectation that HR leaders translate people strategy into business outcomes.
Read more: Trust, authenticity the stepping stones to strategic heights
Turning people analytics into action
In a data-focused session, Zuko Mdwaba, investor and JEM HR advisory board member; Selo Govender, executive head: talent, learning and leadership development at Discovery; and Avanthi Parboosing, CPO at Life Healthcare, explored how predictive analytics can reduce attrition, identify risk early and improve employee wellbeing. The discussion emphasised that data only creates value when it leads to timely, human-centred action.
Read more: It's time to cultivate a data-driven culture, say HR Indaba panellists
Supporting employees across the wellness spectrum
In a panel on neurodiversity and inclusion, Mmabatho Tlale, chief human capital officer at Zeda; Felicity Ramiah, staffing manager at Rand Refinery; and Phetheni Nkuna, director of employment law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, examined how organisations can move from awareness to practical support. The conversation blended leadership education, wellness frameworks and legal responsibility to create environments where neurodivergent employees can thrive.
Read more: HR should support employees across the wellness spectrum
When employee failure reflects leadership gaps
In a session on accountability, Dolores Mashishi, founder and seasoned HR executive, and James Ramakau, associate director: talent management at KPMG Africa, reframed performance failure as a leadership issue. The discussion unpacked blind spots, unequal accountability and the need for clarity, feedback and psychological safety to build cultures where ownership thrives.
Read more: Employee failure is a leadership problem, says experts at 2025 HR Indaba
Preparing for the workplace of 2030
In a future-focused masterclass, Nomaswazi Ngwane, chief people experience officer at OM Bank; Steve Teasdale, chief people experience officer at Discovery; and Tswelo Kodisang, group CPO at FirstRand Limited, explored how HR must prepare for portfolio-based careers, ethical AI and continuous reskilling. The session encouraged HR leaders to stay curious, challenge comfort and lead with integrity.
Read more: Stay curious and unsettle yourself: The mindset HR leaders need for the 2030 workplace
The superpower of executive confidence
In a masterclass on leadership presence, Nolo Thobejane, chief people and transformation officer at KFC Africa; Themba Chakela, head of people and culture at e-Motion Consulting; and Mure Wesigye, people and culture director at The Coca-Cola Company, unpacked confidence as a quiet stabiliser. The discussion connected self-awareness, curiosity and business fluency to authentic executive leadership.
Read more: Leaders dissect superpower of executive confidence at 2025 HR Indaba
Spotting and stopping toxic workplace cultures
In a panel about confronting toxicity, Khabonina Ramoupi, group CPO at AECI; Reabetswe Motshegare, HR director at Scatec sub-Saharan Africa; and Boniwe Dunster, HR and industrial relations executive at Lanseria International Airport, explored early warning signs, leadership blind spots and HR’s responsibility to act. The conversation reinforced that culture is shaped by what organisations allow, ignore or reward.
Read more: When culture turns toxic and how HR leaders spot and stop the rot
Using HR data with purpose and ethics
In a closing discussion on responsible data use, Elaine Kruger, group CHRO at Tsebo Solutions Group; Palesa Matoli, executive head of human capital and transformation at Bidvest Bank; Malisha Awunor, founder of Ikigai People; and Themba Nkuna, managing director at InsydOut, examined how intention, data quality and ethics determine impact. The panel stressed the need to effectively collect and manage data to enable data-driven HR.
Read more: HR leaders urge purposeful, ethical data use
