Group exec for human capital Dennis Coetzee among 2025 CHRO Award nominees
Dennis Coetzee has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for his role as group executive for human capital at NWK Holdings.
Sphumelele Khumalo is the senior writer for CHRO South Africa. With a background in health journalism, she brings a passion for storytelling and an interest in exploring the human side of every story, one word at a time. When she’s not meeting deadlines, you might find her experimenting in the kitchen, or chasing sunsets.
Dennis Coetzee has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for his role as group executive for human capital at NWK Holdings.
Recruiting the right people has never been easy for South Africa’s small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), but according to Vanessa Gibb, the people business partner at Pnet, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Lipton Teas and Infusions has welcomed Sivena Manikam as its new head of people and organisation for Africa.
From dealing with unemployment and fake qualifications, to ethical concerns and misrepresentation, today’s hiring process can be full of risk for CHROs. Marosha Pather, HR and client service executive at Mettus, unpacks how HR leaders can screen candidates smarter.
Triple E Training has joined the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner, adding its name to the impressive line-up of exhibitors set to showcase at the Sandton Convention Centre on 14 October 2025.
The University of Cape Town has welcomed Juliet Mhango as its new executive director for human resources, bringing with her years of experience across various industries, including telecommunications, financial services and healthcare.
Panellists at 2025 CHRO Day discussed the processes their organisations use to embed succession planning into everyday talent management, ensuring a steady pipeline of capable leaders.
Amanda Cusdin’s career spans continents, transformation initiatives and boardrooms. Today, as chief people officer at Sage, she leads 11,000 employees across the globe, but her journey began in a setting few would expect: amid the unrest of Northern Ireland's civil war.
The University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.
Inside the walls of the Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch, South Africa’s top HR leaders came together for 2025 CHRO Day on 28 May, diving into conversations centred on defining a new playbook in an era shaped by workplace change, digital transformation and a war in the fight for talent.
Arjo, a global supplier of medical devices and solutions, has appointed Shivani Naidoo as its new HR director in Africa, a move that marks the continuation of a journey rooted in healthcare and human impact.
The premium chocolate brand Lindt & Sprüngli South Africa has welcomed Zaidah as its new HR director.
Long before Sheryll Kisten stepped into her role as head of HR at STADIO Higher Education, her days were devoted to nurturing, advocating and learning – not in a corporate setting, but at home, beside her unwell son.
South Africa's most comprehensive recruitment platform returns with a Silver partnership for the 2025 HR Indaba.
A leader in higher education and skills development, Boston City Campus has joined the 2025 HR Indaba as a Gold partner.
As the world marked International HR Day on 20 May, Noreen MacPherson, a master HR practitioner and learning and development specialist at Maccauvlei Learning Academy, calls for a return to human-first leadership grounded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, an African word meaning humanity to others.
A recent CHRO South Africa webinar led by Saul Symanowitz, BEE123’s director for strategic innovation, offered a breakdown of what HR leaders need to know and do before the next reporting window in line with the amended Employment Equity Act.
On 28 May HR leaders from across South Africa will gather at the luxurious Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch for CHRO Day, to share new ideas and talk next-level strategy.
As head of brand and people at Simply Black Media, Inge Wulff approaches human resources less like an admin task and more as a powerful function for shaping a thriving culture from the inside out.
The world’s most trusted leadership company joins as a Gold partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.
Prudence Hlwempu, the newly-appointed human capital executive at Bidvest Vericon, says she is thrilled to have joined the organisation.
For Zizile Lushaba-Nyawo, human capital and skills development executive at Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA), blue-collar talent isn’t plan B but the future of South Africa’s talent pipelines, especially in the industrial sector.
Aba Ayirebi never imagined how different the progression of her career would be, having completed an undergraduate qualification in BA International Relations from the University of Stellenbosch. She took what she thought would be a short-term sabbatical from her postgraduate LLB studies only to come across an intriguing job posting that led her to Stor-Age Property REIT Ltd, where she has now built a 13-year career.
The provider of learning and development solutions is set to be part of the partner line-up at the 2025 HR Indaba.
The insurance giant joins an exciting line-up of exhibitors set to showcase at the Sandton Convention Centre on 14 October 2025.
The countdown has officially begun for the 2025 HR Indaba, set to take place on 14 October at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Diana Johnson has been appointed as the new area HR director for APMEA South at British American Tobacco (BAT), a promotion that marks a significant milestone in her 17-year journey with the company.
HR leaders are learning to walk a fine line between embracing AI’s efficiency, while keeping people at the heart of automation. Sheryll Kisten, head of human resources at Stadio Higher Education, Sage CPO Amanda Cusdin and Stor-Age head of people Aba Ayirebi share practical steps leaders can take to upskill their teams in AI and data literacy.
In a country where traditional healing is an essential part of culture, new regulations are guiding the use of traditional healer sick notes. Thato Makoaba, associate in employment law practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, unpacks how HR can integrate these certificates while staying legally sound and inclusive.
Verushka Ramsamuj has embarked on a new journey as the head of human resources at St Stithians College.
Cátia Teixeira, group executive head of human capital at MultiChoice Africa, has carved a unique path in the world of HR – one that’s as dynamic as it is inspiring. With a foundation in economics and an early career in finance at Deloitte Portugal, she never imagined she’d end up leading human capital across an entire continent.
CHRO and ESG lead at Vector Logistics Annelie Govender is among the HR leaders integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities into the DNA of their organisations. She highlights why embedding ESG is more important now than ever.
Nafisah Abrahams has been promoted to the role of chief of staff at AfricArena, a move that marks a milestone in her journey with the organisation, as this comes after serving as the operations project manager.
Bianca Morgan has stepped into a new chapter of her HR career, taking on the role of head of people and organisation at Sandoz.
Vector Logistics has announced the promotion of Kasavan Naicker to head of HR shared services.
At the heart of this year’s Radical Inclusion Summit, a powerful fireside chat between Old Mutual CPO Anusuya Govender and Regenesys Corporate Education CEO Nishen Munnisunker lit up the room, challenging what inclusion truly means.
Brenda Talazo didn’t plan on a career in human resources, but looking back, purpose had other plans, as it has become clear she was destined to lead in the field.
The CHRO South Africa Radical Inclusion Summit recently hosted a powerful panel discussion that delved into the crucial aspects of truly embedding company values into daily operations and effectively measuring the often overlooked concept of belonging.
HR leaders gathered at the CHRO Radical Inclusion Summit in Cape Town on 9 April not just to talk about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), but to explore ways to interrogate its true purpose and impact in the workplace.
KingMakers, a sports and digital entertainment platform company across the African continent, has announced the appointment of Keeran Subramony as the new group head of people.
As Kedibone Letsika, the people and culture director at JTI, describes it, for any organisation to thrive, investing in its people is no longer optional but essential.
Rebaone Maakelo, group HR director at Interwaste, describes his journey into human resources as a “funny story,” as he explains it with a chuckle – one that began in an unexpected wrong queue at university.
On 9 April, Cape Town will play host to the second summit of the year, and it's set to take diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) conversations to the next level.
Glencore Ferroalloys has announced the appointment of Tshidi Anya as their new chief people officer.
Mentorship, at its best, is a transformative relationship that shapes careers and lives, and the dynamic between Julia Modise, group HR director at BMW, and Reabetswe Regina Motshegare, HR director at Scatec, has been a testament to this.
Mainstream Renewable Power has announced the promotion of Lindsay Burgess to the role of group head of human resources.
HR leaders are always seeking ways to streamline processes, boost efficiency, and enhance employee experiences, but outdated onboarding and training methods often create backlogs that slow down both new hires and HR teams.
From a young age, the CHRO and ESG lead at Vector Logistics, Annelie Govender found herself in the role of advisor, the one people turned to for guidance.
Lindani Dube has been appointed as the CHRO at TransUnion Africa and the TransUnion Global Capability Centre Africa.
Rebaone Maakelo has been appointed as the group human resources director at Interwaste, where he will oversee the entire HR value chain for Interwaste Holdings and its subsidiaries across South Africa and Mozambique.
Group chief HR officer Humsha Ramgobin believes that progressive HR practices are essential for driving innovation in an ever-changing industry. At Mediclinic, this vision is put into action through three core pillars: leadership development, workforce agility, and technology-driven innovation.
Sonia Tshabalala’s career in human resources has never been just about policies and processes but about people, impact, and transformation.
Top HR leaders gathered on 13 March, for a thought-provoking discussion over an exclusive dinner on the country’s digital skills shortage, at the elegant Saxon Hotel.
As AI continues to transform workplaces, HR leaders face the uncertainty of integrating its efficiency while preserving the human-centric nature of their roles. Amanda Cusdin, chief people officer at Sage, shares how AI can enhance HR functions, the challenges of implementation, and the essential skills HR professionals can develop to be able to navigate AI while keeping the human touch at the center of their work.
Daserie Moodley is set to lead HR initiatives at Nutun.
On the back of International Women’s Day in early March, Cebile Xulu, HR director at Mondelēz International, shares how one of the world’s largest snack companies has transformed their workforce to ensure equitable gender representation, particularly at senior management levels.
For Kedibone Letsika, HR is more than policies and procedures; it's about people, strategy, and creating meaningful change in the workplace.
Chantelle Blandin de Chalain is set to drive the people strategy and organisational development in a new role at LRMG.
With over 26 years at Empact Group, Salwa Albertyn has stepped into a new leadership role as the group human resources executive.
While the mid-career stage is often characterised by experience and accumulated expertise, it can also be a breeding ground for profound uncertainty.
Kate Shead's journey to HR executive at Telviva, formerly Connection Telecom, is a testament to a deep-seated passion for people. While her early life found her navigating her career in a different field, it was a pivotal role she had as a PA to an HR director in the late 1990s that supported and ignited her true calling.
The field of executive coaching is undergoing a transformation, driven by technological advancements and a deeper understanding of human potential. While AI and digital platforms make their mark, the core of transformative coaching remains deeply human.
The experienced communication professional is looking forward to supporting the provincial government through people practices and best practice in public sector training.
Fostering a culture of continuous learning has become essential for organisations aiming to thrive, adapt, and build organisational success.
Leading HR executives from Exxaro, YUM! and Bidvest Bank discussed innovative career pathways, personalised development and future-proofing workforces in today’s workplaces.
Futurist Bronwyn Williams explored Gen Z’s workplace behaviours, unemployment challenges and the need for transformative employer relationships.
The CHRO Apex Talent Summit, held on 20 February 2025, brought together some of the brightest minds in HR and business leadership to unpack the evolving world of talent management.
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.
Linda Keun has been promoted to chief people officer at The Catalyst Group.
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.
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