Sonia Tshabalala’s career in human resources has never been just about policies and processes but about people, impact, and transformation.
As the regional people director at Sage Africa and Middle East, her career path of two decades has taken her through a range of industries, each experience adding to her expertise in aligning people strategies with business goals.
“As a teenager, I dreamt of becoming a Catholic nun, inspired by the compassion and selflessness of Mother Teresa. I was drawn to HR by my passion for understanding people and helping them reach their full potential within organisations,” Sonia shares. “While I didn’t always envision myself in this field, my academic background in psychology and industrial sociology naturally guided me towards it.”
“These disciplines gave me valuable insights into human behaviour and organisational dynamics, which sparked my interest in creating inclusive, high-performing environments where individuals and teams can thrive. Over time, this passion evolved into a fulfilling career dedicated to empowering people and driving meaningful change.”
According to her, her journey to becoming the regional people director at Sage Africa and the Middle East has been shaped by years of experience in HR leadership across various industries.
“Throughout my career, I’ve focused on aligning people strategies with business goals, driving transformation, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Joining Sage was a natural progression, as it offered an opportunity to apply my expertise in a dynamic, purpose-driven organisation that values innovation and its people,” she says.
“The role has been both rewarding and challenging and has allowed me to focus on building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and psychological safety while supporting colleagues to reach their full potential. Leading the people function at Sage has reinforced my belief in the power of nurturing talent and creating environments where diversity thrives, all while contributing to the organisation’s growth and success.”
She credits her career in HR and skills development that spans over two decades across various industries for shaping her into a leader who values inclusivity, psychological safety, and genuine connection.
“A key milestone in my career was being part of the startup team for South Africa’s third-largest mobile operator, where I developed an EVP programme that drove talent attraction, retention, and a high-performance culture.”
This initiative, she says, focused on talent management, rewards and benefits, fostering a high-performance culture, and implementing enabling tools and best practices to drive business growth and results.
“I’ve also led transformative projects in global organisations, balancing operational efficiency with positive employee experiences. These roles strengthened my ability to align people strategies with business goals while fostering diversity through initiatives like leadership academies and succession planning, with a focus on empowering women, individuals with disabilities, and black talent.”
In her current role, Sonia says she draws on these experiences to lead with clarity, purpose, and compassion. “My approach prioritises collaboration, accountability, and mentoring colleagues to reach their full potential, ensuring we build an inclusive, high-performing culture.”
Reflecting on her career highlights, she shares, “As I transitioned to global organisations, I collaborated with business leaders to drive strategic initiatives that scale operations, accelerate growth, and enhance organisational effectiveness. My expertise covers business transformation projects, including organisational design and development, mergers and acquisitions, culture and DEI initiatives, as well as leadership and technical skills development.”
Her efforts have particularly also focused on people living with disabilities, women in leadership, and internship and learnership cohorts — as well as attracting and retaining top Black talent in key roles. However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges has been succession planning and the retention of high-potential, experienced, and black talent,” she admits. "Attracting and retaining top talent has been particularly difficult due to aggressive competitor poaching, a highly competitive market, and the lucrative rewards and incentives offered — especially for black talent in critical and senior leadership roles."
“The scarcity of specialised skills and the limited pipeline of technical and executive-level professionals further intensify this challenge.”
Sonia says she has therefore set clear HR goals focused on employee growth and development, driving high performance, and enhancing employee experience and retention.
“I have three goals in particular. The first one is prioritising our impactful programmes that foster professional and personal growth. This includes leadership training, mentorship programmes, upskilling initiatives, and wellbeing programmes. The goal is to create a culture where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to grow within the organisation.”
“I also want to establish a high-performance culture by setting clear expectations, providing continuous feedback, and recognising achievements through our agile performance management frameworks, data-driven decision-making, and career pathing strategies to ensure employees are motivated, productive, and aligned with business goals.”
Additionally, she is focused on enhancing employee experience and retention by continuing their focus on creating a workplace where employees thrive.
“I plan to also enhance our initiatives such as flexible work models, diversity and inclusion programs, employee recognition platforms, and wellbeing support. Investing in our employee experience leads to higher retention, stronger engagement, and a more resilient workforce.”
At the heart of Sonia’s leadership is creating environments where people can truly thrive, as she mentions, “I’m passionate about breaking down barriers and building an inclusive EVP that not only fosters a positive workplace but also empowers people to learn, grow, and advance in their careers while prioritising their overall wellbeing. Seeing others succeed and reach their full potential is what drives me.”
Currently based in Johannesburg, Sonia shares how her path has taken her from the University of Pretoria, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and industrial sociology, to global leadership training, including the Sage global senior leadership programme in Scotland and a leadership programme in organisational leadership and strategic thinking at GIBS Business School.
Beyond the boardrooms and business strategies, she shares, “I love travelling and jazz music,” passions that allow her to unwind and embrace new perspectives.
Her personal life mantra? “Have big dreams; you’ll grow into them.”
