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.

Nathan Digital SA will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

Academy Busec Nova International will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Gold partner.

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

The Speakers Firm will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

PickUpSkills (Privatizz) will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

Remchannel will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

Nolo Thobejane has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for her role as chief people, culture and purpose officer at KFC Africa.

Momentum Corporate will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

In a world where success is often measured by constant acceleration, Angela Munger, now head of HR for the Middle East & Africa Region at Centurion Systems, chose a different path – a long sabbatical.

Set in an intimate and elegant setting in Westcliff, the CHRO Dinner held in partnership with Regenesys Education explored how academia and business can collaborate to prepare the next generation of HR professionals.

Lindiwe Miyambu has been appointed as chief people and marketing officer at AfroCentric Group, a role that brings together both culture and brand under one portfolio.

Netcampus Group will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

Milpark Education will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

iOCO Digital will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Platinum partner.

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) will be joining the 2025 HR Indaba as a Gold partner.

Jem HR has joined the 2025 HR Indaba as a Gold partner.

Wits Plus has joined the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

Optimi Workplace has joined the 2025 HR Indaba as a Silver partner.

MyMobile, powered by Samsung, has signed on as a Gold artner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Trade Kings Group has appointed Hercules Duvenage as its group head of global HR business partnering. He joins the organisation with a career that spans more than 30 years across various sectors and settings.

Sage has joined as a Diamond partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Sibonakaliso Shabangu has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for his role as director of global business services and HR at BASF.

In a country where every greeting, proverb, or shared meal carries echoes of heritage, HR leaders such as Tembi Topham, HR executive for talent & D&I at RCL Foods; Phil Tshikotshi, vice president of HR at Startek; Khululiwe Nxumalo, head of people, culture and learning at Starbucks South Africa; and Angela Munger, head of HR for the MEA region at Centurion Systems, are finding ways to let heritage breathe throughout the workplace.

Nexio South Africa has appointed Amanda Ncube as its new executive head of HR.

Factorial has signed up as a Gold partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Discovery has signed up as a Platinum partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator has joined as a Gold partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Regent Business School has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Top Employers Institute has signed on as a Gold partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Awetomate has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

YuLife has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

The Social Craft has signed up as a Gold partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Diversifi has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

MasterStart has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2025 HR Indaba

Michelin’s SSA HR director, Elmarie Roberts, highlights how the company is driving sustainable growth and development in Africa through its Vision Africa 2030 strategy.

Sana-Ullah Bray has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for his role as the group executive for human capital at Sanlam.

Londiwe Mncube has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for her role as CHRO at the Competition Commission of South Africa.

SAP has joined the 2025 HR Indaba as a Platinum partner.

BEE123 has confirmed its Gold partnership for the 2025 HR Indaba

William Radcliffe has come on board as a Silver partner for the 2025 HR Indaba.

Assore Group has announced the appointment of Vanisha Balgobind as its new HR executive.

Jeanett Modise has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for her role as the chief human capital officer at Absa Group.

Pindiwe Gida has been nominated for the 2025 CHRO Awards for her role as the chief officer for human capital and corporate services at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

Sakeena Adams has been promoted to regional people director for Africa & Middle East (AME) at Sage, marking a new chapter in her journey as a people-first leader in the region.

Standard Bank Group's chief people & culture office Sharon Taylor believes that executive alignment is less about everyone agreeing on everything and more about building the trust to argue, decide – and then stand united.