When Easter arrives, it isn’t only about long weekends and chocolate hunts. Following the Easter weekend, HR leaders Laura James, people & organisation director at Mulilo and Kholo Kunene, Africa HR director at Nissan South Africa unpack how it is a season that blends reflection, renewal and connection both at home and in the workplace.
Laura James, people and organisation director at Mulilo, explains that for her, the season is a signal to pause, reconnect and recharge in equal measure. “Easter is, for me, a time for family. I’m fortunate to have most of my family nearby, and the long weekend creates a wonderful opportunity to be together,” she shares. “We usually escape the city for the berg or the beach, taking advantage of the Western Cape’s many beautiful getaways. Good food, meaningful conversation and an Easter egg hunt, rain or shine, remain our enduring traditions.”
“The long weekend provides a natural opportunity to disconnect from the immediacy of work, shift pace and environment and create space for reflection. It also allows for meaningful reconnection with family, grounding me and sustaining my energy. The combination of distance and connection often brings clarity, allowing me to return with renewed perspective, revitalised energy and a deeper sense of what matters, both professionally and personally.”
Those personal traditions flow seamlessly into her professional world, where recognising moments that matter is part of shaping a workplace culture. Laura points to the Social & Cultural Committee, a staff-representative group, as the engine behind inclusive celebrations.
“Our Social & Cultural Committee helps shape how we recognise key moments in a way that reflects the diversity of our people. In doing so, we aim to lead with care: being intentional about what matters to our employees. At this time of year, we acknowledge Easter, Eid and Pesach in an inclusive and respectful way, and we also provide for religious leave where observance days do not align with South Africa’s public holidays. More broadly, recognising moments that matter is a simple but powerful way to build connection and a culture of belonging. And, of course, one thing that reliably brings everyone together is a shared appreciation of chocolate!”
For Kholo Kunene, HR director at Nissan, Easter is inseparable from the foundations of who she is. She details how her Easter memories are coded with faith, family and togetherness, laying the foundation for how he approaches the season today
“As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, I am always reminded of the profound power of renewal, hope and new beginnings. Having grown up in Seshego, Easter was, and still is, a time centred around church, shared meals, and meaningful connection. Some of my fondest memories are of gathering with family, where tables were full with homely meals, homes were open, and time to truly be present with one another.”
“Today, Easter still means attending church, spending time with family, creating space for connection and watching my children build those same memories with their cousins, moments that remind me that it is the people around the table that matter most. Beyond tradition, Easter remains a time to pause, a time to reflect, give thanks and realign with what truly matters.”
Kholo explains that Easter also provides the rare luxury of distance, and space to unplug from daily routines, and to tune into what truly matters.
“As we reflect on the resurrection, I am reminded that even in the most challenging and uncertain seasons, there is always hope, restoration, and the promise of new life. That message resonates deeply with me in the season I am currently navigating – one that has required me to be strong, but also to be honest about the need to pause and refill my own cup. Personally, Easter creates space for me to slow down, spend time in prayer, and reflect more deeply. It is in those quiet moments that I am able to release what I have been carrying, regain clarity, and draw strength from my faith.”
“Professionally, this season has been a reminder that leadership is not just about showing up for others, but also about taking responsibility for your own well-being. There are moments when the weight of leadership is real, and Easter reminds me that I don’t have to carry it endlessly without pause.”
She also believes that it is also an organisational touchpoint moment to affirm inclusion and respect across cultures and beliefs.
“The key is to approach it with both respect and inclusivity. While Easter holds deep meaning within the Christian faith, the values it represents transcend religion. Whether it is Ramadan, Passover, or other significant observances, there is a shared rhythm of reflection, gratitude, and renewal. Inclusive workplaces recognise this. They create space for employees to engage in ways that are authentic to them, whether through faith, family traditions, or simply taking time to rest and recharge. It is not about centering one belief system, but about acknowledging the diversity of experiences within the organisation.”
“In my view, recognising moments like Easter humanises the workplace. It reminds us that our employees are whole people, with lives, beliefs, and traditions that shape who they are.”
