HR leaders went on a ‘speed date’ at the 2026 CHRO Day in Johannesburg – not the romantic kind, but one where they were paired up for seven-minute networking conversations designed to help them connect, share ideas and talk honestly about the challenges they are facing at work.

Pragmatic Thinking has joined the 2026 HR Indaba as a Silver partner ahead of the event taking place on 20 October.

When it comes to imagining the workplace of tomorrow, Steven Teasdale doesn’t just think outside the box. He wants to rebuild the box, upgrade it and make it human-centred.

Penny Adams has started a new position as human capital executive at Primedia Out Of Home.

Duke Mgaga has been nominated for the CHRO Awards 2026 for his role as chief people officer at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.

Triple E Training has come on board as a Silver partner for the 2026 HR Indaba, set to take place on 20 October.

Palesa Ntoagae has been appointed chief people officer for personal and private banking Pan-Africa at Absa Group.

Devni Naidoo Ferdi may not be on the pitch at Cricket South Africa, but she is one of the most important players in the game as its head of people.

Every year on 1 May, Mzansi’s workplaces pause for Workers’ Day, yet HR leaders Khanya Magudulela, HR executive at Motus; Lerato Morathi, human capital executive at Alexforbes; and Annelie Govender, CHRO at Vector Logistics, also view the day as a chance to hold up the mirror to the workplaces being built for workers and reflect on what putting workers first truly looks like in practice.

Boniwe Dunster has been nominated for the CHRO Awards 2026 for her role as executive manager for HR at Lanseria International Airport.

Diversifi has come on board as a Silver partner for the 2026 HR Indaba, set to take place on 20 October.

Kedibone Letsika, people & culture director at JTI, points to the subtle, everyday shifts that can signal when workplace stress is starting to affect performance, from changes in energy and behaviour to dips in engagement that are easy to overlook.

The enticing smell of Pedros Chicken might hit you the moment you walk into a store, but the heart and culture of the brand is quietly grilled behind the scenes, headed up by its people chief Naeem Timol.

Nosipho Kunene has been nominated for the CHRO Awards 2026 for her role as HR director for sub-Saharan Africa and board member at Kimberly-Clark.

Tapaswee Chandele has been appointed global chief people officer at The Coca-Cola Company, marking a significant milestone in a career that has been built almost entirely within the organisation.

As momentum builds towards the 2026 HR Indaba, eDeaf has come on board as a Gold partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Vanessa Goonahsylin has stepped into a new role as executive head of people & culture for South Africa at NTT Data MEA.

Barney Khumalo has been nominated for the 2026 CHRO Awards for his role as chief people officer at Rainbow Chicken.

When the sun sets over his home in the Johannesburg north area, Njabulo Nyawo, the group chief people executive at Momentum Group, is likely thinking about one of two things: the intricate alignment of commercial strategy with human capital, or the kilometres he needs to clock for his next ultramarathon.

As momentum builds toward the 2026 HR Indaba, K2 Group has come on board as a Silver partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Tony Smith has been appointed group people and culture officer at Grindrod.

Set in an intimate and elegant setting in Westcliff, the CHRO Dinner held on 9 April in partnership with Regenesys Corporate Education brought together HR leaders to explore how they are navigating the rise of AI, and more importantly, how they are ensuring people remain at the centre of it.

As preparations ramp up for the 2026 HR Indaba, Paymenow comes on board as a Silver partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Solly Mathebula has taken on the role of chief people officer at Bearing Man Group (BMG), bringing with him extensive experience across HR leadership, transformation and employee relations.

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.

The CHRO South Africa Cape Town Summit returns to the Mother City on 14 April.

Hope Lukoto, CHRO at Openserve, shares how her first few months have been a mix of listening, learning and plotting the path forward.

Patience Mathebula-Okoruwa has been promoted to HR director at Accenture South Africa, where she will oversee the organisation’s HR agenda in South Africa.

Partnerships continue to gather momentum for the 2026 HR Indaba, with Busec Nova joining as a Gold partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Ayanda Mda has been appointed head of people at Rentoza, where she will lead the company’s people function.

Janice Paulse has been promoted to CHRO at EDF Power Solutions South Africa, following her role as head of people and culture within the organisation.

Partnerships continue to pour in for the 2026 HR Indaba, with The Social Craft joining as a Platinum partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Desereé Moelich has been appointed head of people and culture at Caribou, moving into the role after a period of independent consulting and contract work across organisations in South Africa.

To mark the end of international women’s month, CHRO South Africa revisits conversations with four women CHROs who gave us the unfiltered truth about climbing, leading and thriving in the world of HR.

On 19 March, the air at the Saxon Hotel in Sandton was filled with more than just the aroma of a world-class three-course dinner. It was also heavy with the collective wisdom of Mzansi’s top HR minds under one roof.

Nerisha Kistan, HR director at Canon South Africa, shares that corporate culture often asks people to leave their personal struggles at the door, but there is a recognition that employees navigate complex socio-economic pressures and family responsibilities every single day.

With the countdown to the 2026 HR Indaba underway, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business joins as a Silver partner for this year’s event, taking place on 20 October.

Yolandie Jansen van Vuuren has been appointed head of people and culture at Minopex, a company that provides outsourced operation and maintenance services to the mining industry.

There is always a box of tissues on Meko Magida's desk, and he says it is not there by accident.

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has appointed Shuli Bantse-Chikane as executive for human capital.

With the countdown to the 2026 HR Indaba officially underway, Workday has come on board as a Gold partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

According to Sandi Richardson, CPO at RCS, days such as International Women’s Day offer a moment to look beyond celebration and consider the ripple effects of opportunity, and how investment in women can shape outcomes far beyond the workplace.

Andile Manyathi has joined RSM as head of people.

Tanya Ramlagan shares how her role is to keep the current flowing between business strategy and people by building the skills, leadership and culture needed to power the business forward.

As the countdown to the 2026 HR Indaba begins, Raizcorp joins as a Silver partner for this year’s event, taking place on 20 October.

Beiersdorf has appointed Cebile Xulu as HR director for Southern Africa, bringing more than two decades of experience across FMCG, manufacturing and global organisations.

DPD Laser CPO Solly Mathebula believes culture speaks long before leadership does. In a business once defined by silence, silos and strain, he chose engagement as the turning point.

Lucia Caruso Spinks has started a new position as people director at Heineken Beverages.

On 26 February, the Mother City played host to HR executives gathered beneath the palm-lined calm and pink facade of the Mount Nelson Hotel for a conversation that unfolded slowly over dinner and lingered long after dessert.

Pamella Khumbuza has started a new position as head of HR for South Africa at Constantia Flexibles.

Partnerships continue to pour in for the 2026 HR Indaba, with Boston City Campus joining as a Platinum partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Nolo Thobejane, chief people, culture and purpose officer at KFC Africa and winner of the 2025 Transformation & Empowerment Award, believes South Africa does not have a talent problem, but an access problem.

Rekha Govender has been appointed head of HR at Goscor Group.

Mondelēz International produces some of the world’s most loved snacks, and behind every launch and every production line is a team of people making it happen, while Cebile Xulu, Mondelēz International sub‑Saharan Africa’s senior people director, focuses on putting those people first.

Momentum is building for the 2026 HR Indaba, with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) confirmed as a Silver partner for the highly anticipated gathering on 20 October.

Vatiswa Nthoesane has taken up the role of chief people officer at the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA). She steps into the position after serving as head of people operations since 2024.

Anticipation continues to build ahead of the 2026 HR Indaba, as Milpark Education comes on board as a Silver partner for the event on 20 October.

Born in Gauteng and shaped by years spent living in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, Alicia Dean learnt early that growth rarely follows a straight line. Movement, contrast and adaptation became familiar companions; themes that quietly echo through her work today as head of people and group services at Sola Group.

Growing up in a world where every cent counts, Salwa Albertyn, group HR executive at Empact Group, understands that people don’t just work for a title but work for a living, and advises CHROs to elevate payroll on their agendas.

The first CHRO summit of 2026 did more than kick off the CHRO event calendar; it was an eye-opener to the hidden realities of the workplace.

Sanchia Arendse has been promoted to head of people and culture at Stone Three, marking a new chapter in her journey with the organisation after almost three years of service.

In an industry where the primary goal is to produce sweetness for Mzansi, group HR executive Thembi Kumalo is focused on ensuring that same sweetness exists within the hallways and culture of the South African Sugar Association (SASA).

As nominations for the 2026 CHRO Awards officially open, we are putting a special spotlight on the young HR executives who are already leaving a lasting imprint on their organisations and the future of work.

Anticipation is building ahead of the 2026 HR Indaba, as BEE123 comes on board as a Gold partner for the event on 20 October.

Dean Naidoo has been appointed group HR director at Gemfields Group.

Tshepo Yvonne Mosadi has been appointed as HR director at RCL Foods, marking her return to the organisation after several years in senior executive people roles across multiple industries.

Brigitte Da Gama doesn’t need coffee to stay energised, in fact, she gave it up six years ago. What keeps her going instead is the purpose for the work she does as group chief people officer at The SPAR Group.

Momentum continues to build around the 2026 HR Indaba, with Deel Local Payroll joining as a Platinum partner for this year’s event, set to take place on 20 October.

Sasria has announced the appointment of Shyless Nkuna-Shai as its new people management executive manager.

CHRO South Africa opened its first community conversation of the year with a dialogue that went straight to the heart of the profession. The session brought together two of the country’s most respected people and culture leaders to explore what it really takes to professionalise HR and rebuild trust at scale.

At the core of Rainbow Chicken’s transformation over the past four years lies a people-centred strategy, which has been key in effecting a strategic turnaround. In his 30 years in HR, this has been the most exciting and challenging transformation project chief people officer Barney Khumalo has ever worked on.

Partnerships continue to pour in for the 2026 HR Indaba, with Mancosa joining as a Silver partner for this year’s event, taking place on 20 October.

When you think of HR excellence in action, whose leadership immediately comes to mind? Well, now is your chance to let us know as nominations for the 2026 CHRO Awards are officially open until the end of March 2026.

Keshan Naidoo has been appointed HR director at Tri-Star Construction.

Partnerships are already pouring in for the 2026 HR Indaba, with The Sales Enablement Company joining as a Platinum partner for this year’s event, taking place on 20 October.

Momentum Group has promoted Njabulo Nyawo to chief people executive, where he will be responsible for the group’s people function.

When Nomfundo Vilakazi accepted the HR role at Dis-Chem Pharmacies, she was seven months pregnant, carrying not only the anticipation of new life but also the weight of a new professional chapter. She is now focused on reshaping the entire people and culture strategy at the second-largest retail pharmacy chain in South Africa, starting from scratch.

Alicia Dean, the head of people and group services at Sola Group, calls for a fundamental shift in how organisations think about talent in the renewable energy sector, particularly when it comes to project-based work.

Inspired Education Group has appointed Llewellyn Hunter as regional HR director for Africa

As Sappi nears its 90th anniversary in 2026, vice president of HR James Manana reflects on the choices that sustain its culture, and what it takes to build an inclusive, purpose-led workplace at global scale.

Norton Rose Fulbright has promoted Vanessa Hlatswayo to head of HR.

Group executive for HR at the SABC, Rachel Masuku, isn’t there just to keep things running. With the advent of bespoke and on-demand content providers, her focus is on preparing employees for the shift from traditional broadcasting to the new modern broadcasting world by creating a solid foundation – anchored in basics.

Nicolle Hugo has stepped into a new role as executive director for HR at iZi Group.

Dr Sane Ngidi has joined Imagine Worldwide as director of people.

Leading a business is fundamentally about leading people, and no one understands people better than HR leaders. And while the route to being CEO has traditionally come through finance, operations or strategy, HR has been standing quietly in the wings – until now.

Cell C’s listing towards the end of 2025 marked a journey shaped as much by people as by performance.

More than 3 000 HR professionals gathered at the 2025 HR Indaba, creating a space where ideas were tested, experiences shared and assumptions challenged.

CHRO South Africa looks back at some of the HR leaders who stepped into new roles in 2025, bringing fresh energy and vision to organisations across Mzansi.

As organisations reset their people strategies for the year ahead, Bianca Anthon, HR director at Illovo Sugar; Juan du Toit, CHRO at Master Drilling Group; and Emelia Abotsi, CHRO at Fuchs Electronics, share how they are turning 2025’s hard-won lessons into 2026 HR new year’s resolutions, shaped by the realities of the work ahead.

After 26 years with the same organisation, Salwa Albertyn has become more than just the group HR executive at Empact Group – she is one of the pillars holding it together, evolving alongside it, and driving its HR heartbeat.

Insaaf Daniels has been watching a quiet shift take place in South African workplaces. Amid rising living costs, high household debt and economic uncertainty, the head of human capital at redPanda Software says many employees are holding on tightly to their jobs, not out of loyalty, but out of fear.

Vodacom South Africa’s executive HR director, Njabulo Mashigo explains how the organisation has rewritten the script on workplace inclusion in South Africa by becoming the first organisation in the country to formally embed South African Sign Language (SASL) into the workplace.

Thabo Nkoane has been appointed as HR director at Komatsu Mining Corp. – Joy Global (Africa), adding to a career built across mining and industrial organisations.

When you think of HR excellence in action, whose leadership immediately comes to mind? Well, now is your chance to let us know as nominations for the 2026 CHRO Awards are officially open.

Terryn Sithara Palani has taken on the role of chief people officer at Hollard Insurance, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience.

Phylla Jele’s journey has been shaped by people who crossed her path, handed her responsibility she didn't always feel ready for, and offered mentorship that stretched her beyond her own expectations. Now HR and transformation executive at e4 Strategic, she describes her story as a series of defining moments guided by leaders who saw her before she fully saw herself.

The first ever Durban CHRO Dinner unfolded on 27 November, gathering eThekwini’s top HR leaders around an elegantly set table at the Oyster Box.

Mandy Hudson has taken on a new chapter in her career, joining Sustainable Power Solutions as chief people officer.

While many organisations wait for end-of-year functions, Mandela Day or Heritage Month to showcase their commitment to inclusion, Salwa Albertyn, group HR executive at Empact Group, believes CHROs should be shaping the language of unity long before the calendar tells them to.

CHRO South Africa caught up with Jeanett Modise, Absa’s group chief human capital officer, fresh off her triple sweep at the recent 2025 CHRO Awards. In addition to taking top honours, Jeanett also took home the Talent Management and Learning & Development awards.

The Courier Guy has welcomed Brigitte Padayachee as its chief people officer.

Aspen Holdings has appointed Siwe Sibeko as head of human capital.

During a chat with CHRO South Africa, Lorna Phipps, head of sales enablement at GIBS, reflected on the significance of sponsoring the Transformation & Empowerment Award at the 2025 CHRO Awards.

With just a few hours to go before the 2025 CHRO Awards, anticipation is building for a night that celebrates South Africa’s most inspiring HR leaders.

Perhaps part of the secret behind OUTsurance’s green and purple glow is not just great service or smart strategy, but also the CPO Suren Naidoo, who understands that humanity will always be the most powerful business model of all.

As the countdown to the 2025 CHRO Awards on 12 November begins, the proud sponsor of the Public Sector CHRO of the Year Award, Momentum Corporate, is saluting the HR leaders who shape not only their workplaces, but the very fabric of society.

Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the appointment of Satish Ranchod as its new HR director, marking a new chapter in a career that has spanned 36 years of dedicated service to the company.

The recent Community Conversation hosted by Dr Dieter Veldsman, chief scientist at AIHR, brought together top HR executives to confront the execution gap in HR, the space between great intent and actual impact.

As vice president of HR at Sappi Southern Africa, James Manana believes that businesses and HR don't just exist to make products or profits, but to make people better, wiser and more capable of shaping the society they live in.

Barry Dell, HR director at Atlas Finance, shares how culture should be lived in every branch, conversation and act of care that ripples from employee to customer.

Preparing for a workplace that doesn’t yet exist but is already rewriting the rules of how HR professionals work, strategise, and lead demands new thinking, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt.

Graham Keatley has taken on a new role as head of people at Vitality.

Payroll is often overlooked, yet it forms the backbone of every successful HR strategy.

Liberty Group South Africa has appointed David Selepe as senior specialist for human capital.

With thousands of HR professionals in attendance at the 2025 HR Indaba, conversations about the future of work were impossible to ignore.

During a panel discussion at Africa’s biggest HR conference and expo, S’ne Magagula, CPO of Tiger Brands; KG Bako, managing executive: talent management & transitions at Absa Group; and Juba Mashaba, CPO at Cell C, spoke about how profit may keep the doors open, but highlighted purpose as what keeps people and organisations moving forward.

When Dr. Mamello Masia joined McDonald’s South Africa as chief people officer, her first taste of leadership didn’t start in meetings, but behind the counter.

The CHRO Community Conversations returned on 23 September after a short hiatus, coming back with a powerful call to rethink the relationship between people and technology in the modern workplace.

Udemy will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Gold partner.

Henley Business School will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.