Insight

Women’s empowerment in the workplace is often discussed in the language of representation, targets and transformation. Those measures matter. But they are not the destination; they are evidence of whether we are changing the conditions in which women enter, grow, lead and succeed. The question is no longer whether organisations can afford to invest in women. It is whether they can afford not to.

A room full of women would once have been unthinkable. Nonkululeko Gobodo, pioneering business leader, entrepreneur, author, CEO of Awakened Global and Chancellor of Walter Sisulu University, reflected on just how much that picture has changed during her keynote at the 2026 Executive Communities Women’s Dinner.

Before CHROs ask the enterprise to lead humans and AI together, HR must become the demonstration project.

Evalex has joined as a Gold partner for the 2026 HR Indaba, set to take place on 20 October.

CHROs have moved past the era where saying this is the way we’ve always done things is the only rule of thumb. Today, the workplace has become a place where someone who remembers the first fax machine collaborates in real-time with an intern who uses AI to automate their morning emails.

Ask 10 people in a room what “we’re growing” means to them. You will get 10 different answers. Some will hear opportunities. Others will hear security. A few will hear expansion, new roles, new markets, new teams. What none of them will hear is what the organisation may actually mean: revenue growth, margin improvement, automation investment, and maintaining output with a leaner workforce.

For more than 30 years, one conviction has guided my journey: the true work of a CHRO is to design and integrate the systems, behaviours and leadership habits that create the conditions for people to thrive and unlock their full potential.

Given the chance to sit down with their younger selves this Youth Day, what are the three things South Africa's HR leaders would say?

Dr Zain Reddiar, global CHRO and corporate services officer at iSON Xperiences, says HR's fingerprints are on almost every aspect of organisational success, yet a lot goes unnoticed.

Something is shifting in how organisations think about talent. It is no longer just about filling roles, but getting the right blend of skills needed to deliver real impact.

Following International HR Day on 20 May, Graham Keatley, head of people at Vitality; Londani Nkabinde, head of HR at Danone SA; and Brenda Talazo, vice president, head of HR and business enablement at Saab, reflect on the changing role of HR and why the profession deserves greater recognition for the impact it has across every part of the business.

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.

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.

Burnout among senior women is often misdiagnosed as a capacity problem. It is not.

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.

Pressure will always be part of the workplace, but it doesn’t have to take over. The way you respond to it shapes your focus, decisions and the energy you bring to your team. Coping with it in a healthy way is what makes the difference.

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.

In a corporate environment, a name holds more than just a superficial label; it encapsulates the essence of a role or job function. More than a mere designation, a name establishes identity, shapes perceptions and serves as a primary identifier for customers, employees, shareholders and the business as a whole. The emotions that a name evokes can set expectations for multiple stakeholders, influencing what they anticipate from both individuals and departments.

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.

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.

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.

The role of HR has evolved significantly over the past few decades reflecting shifts in business strategy, business culture, leadership, digitisation, workforce and stakeholder expectations, and changes in the broader business landscape.

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.

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.

In many organisations, boardroom conversations are still dominated by numbers, performance and targets. Reports, dashboards and KPIs fill the agenda. Yet the conversations about people, culture and leadership are often the ones that are missing. And it is precisely those conversations that make the difference between surface-level change and sustainable growth.

No one knows exactly what 2026 will bring, but the forward-thinking companies are already experimenting, learning and adjusting, not because they’ve mastered AI or automation, but because they can see how quickly work, expectations and confidence levels are shifting.

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.

Vodacom South Africa’s executive HR director, Njabulo Mashigo, shares that the making of a great CHRO comes down to four qualities: having conviction, being relatable, the curiosity to experiment and trusting people. Get these right, and the rest follows.

Nedbank’s executive head of transformation, Kershini Govender, invites HR leaders to rethink what inclusion truly means in the modern workplace. She reflects on the disconnect between the performance of inclusion and the practice of it, and why South Africa holds a unique opportunity to get it right.

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.

HR leaders shared what they must do now in preparation for the next decade at the 2025 HR Indaba, as the world of work is transforming fast – and artificial intelligence, automation and shifting employee expectations are redefining what it means to work, lead and belong.

Mismatched leadership is a hidden cost in the fiercely competitive world of rapid business expansion, where success is often measured by simple metrics like revenue growth, market share and operational efficiency, attendees at the 2025 HR Indaba heard.

At the 2025 HR Indaba, senior HR professionals and legal experts called on leaders to move past symbolic gestures of inclusion and address the deep-rooted blind spots that undermine fairness in the workplace.

The 2025 HR Indaba saw HR leaders tackle neurodiversity, an often-neglected part of inclusion in the workplace. Speaking at a session titled Wellness spectrum toolbox: Supporting neurodivergent employees, Mmabatho Tlale, chief human capital officer at ZEDA; Felicity Ramiah, staffing manager at Rand Refinery and Phetheni Nkuna, director of employment law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr; unpacked how organisations can create environments where neurodivergent employees thrive.

The role of human resources is changing faster than most leaders can keep up with. At the 2025 HR Indaba, Sage regional vice president for medium business Gerhard Hartman argued that the question is no longer whether to adopt technology but how to use it to drive value.

Zuko Mdwaba, JEM HR advisory board and investor; Selo Govender, Discovery executive head: talent, learning and leadership development; and Avanthi Parboosing, chief people officer, Life Healthcare; highlight the role of data analytics in helping companies make better decisions around employee wellness during a frank 2025 HR Indaba 2025 panel discussion.

The Sandton Convention Centre housed over 3,000 attendees for the 2025 HR Indaba, where senior HR executives from Standard Bank, SABC and Sanlam unpacked how people leaders have moved to steering business strategy and shaping organisational success.

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

As global migration patterns continue to shape the world of work, HR professionals must prepare for the impact of brain drain on succession planning, said Michele Simpson-Crew, managing partner of academy at Busec Nova, at the 2025 HR Indaba.

At the 2025 HR Indaba, industry leaders Charlotte Mokoena, Lindiwe Miyambu, and Kyle Chetty unpacked how organisations can break down barriers and build collaborative cultures that drive performance and impact.

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.

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.

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.

Workforce readiness has long been measured in terms of skills, systems and strategy, but in today’s world, none of these matter without inclusion.

Celeste Sirin, an employer branding specialist, speaker, facilitator and founder of Employer Branding Africa, takes us inside the world of Gen Z, offering a rare perspective on how this generation is navigating a workplace unlike any other.

According to Anja van Beek, talent strategist, leadership & HR expert, and executive coach, the women balancing nappies, deadlines, schoolwork and dinner duties develop resilience, emotional intelligence and the ability to make sharp decisions under pressure.

HR executives reflect on the women who became models of impactful leadership, courage and empathy on their journey – leaving behind lessons that still inform how they make decisions today.

As alcohol and cannabis use continues to rise, substance abuse is becoming harder to ignore. Nadeem Mahomed, director in the employment law practice at CDH, unpacks the growing risks of substance abuse in the workplace and explains the need for employers to implement clear, fair policies.

As we honour Nelson Mandela Day, Dr Lesego Rametsi, the managing executive for colleague experience at Absa Group calls on HR leaders to be reminded of leading with the same moral courage that defined Madiba’s life, ensuring that workplaces become spaces where doing what is right is just as important as doing what is profitable.

In a time when the lines between personal and professional life can become increasingly blurred, TransUnion GCC Africa HR head Shivani Ramsaroop shares the thinking behind their holistic wellness approach, and why co-creating with employees has made all the difference.

According to Andee Uren, the executive head for workforce planning, optimisation and engagement at Nedbank, culture is reflected in everyday actions and unspoken norms that guide how people behave and collaborate. She shares how real cultural change happens when behaviours shift and the small barriers that slow progress are removed.

Jackie Kennedy, founder and CEO of LeadMe Academy, challenges CHROs to rethink leadership development. She argues that short-term fixes may look productive but rarely lead to real change, and highlights what to do instead.

For Jane Waters and Tracey Rowe, co-founders of 52.com, their business isn’t just a new chapter in their HR careers – it’s a reinvention of what HR can and should be.

Taegan Devar, an industrial psychologist and the managing director of PeopleSmart, explores why DEIB efforts often fall short. She highlights how organisations can move from just compliance to commitment, and what it takes to embed inclusion at every level.

As South Africa marks Youth Month, the conversation around youth development, unemployment, skills shortages, and future-ready leadership has never been more critical. Sandi Richardson, HR executive at RCS, Justin Hughes, Openserve’s executive for HR operations, and Vanessa Gibb, the people business partner at PNET, urge for strategic investments in young talent.

Burnout at senior leadership is the risk many overlook. Lana Hindmarch, co-founder of BREATHE, a leadership advisory firm that helps senior teams build burnout-proof high-energy cultures, explores how energy depletion quietly drains culture, trust, and performance, and why CHROs must act now.

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.

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.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have evolved from a peripheral concern into a core component of business and investment strategy. Njabulo Mashigo, HR director for Vodacom, shares why ESG isn’t just about risk mitigation or investor relations – it’s a key driver of talent attraction and retention.

Celeste Sirin, an employer branding specialist, speaker, facilitator and founder of Employer Branding Africa, calls on companies to match their external image with their internal reality.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taegan Devar, industrial psychologist and managing director of PeopleSmart, argues that while employee assistance programmes (EAPs) offer support, they’re just one piece of the puzzle.

While mergers are typically driven by systems and strategy, Enid Lizamore, people director at Heineken Beverages, highlights how placing people and culture at the core of their integration journey became the true foundation for culture-building and long-term success.

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.

Salwa Albertyn, the group human resources executive of Empact Group, believes that a thriving workplace goes beyond competitive salaries and benefits. According to her, employees no longer just seek a paycheque - they seek purpose, appreciation, and a sense of belonging.

Employer branding is often reduced to catchy slogans and polished posts, but listening remains the most powerful element. Celeste Sirin, CEO of Employer Brand Africa, details the significant impact of truly hearing employees.

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.

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.

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.

While the mid-career stage is often characterised by experience and accumulated expertise, it can also be a breeding ground for profound uncertainty.

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.

Fostering a culture of continuous learning has become essential for organisations aiming to thrive, adapt, and build organisational success.

As the role of executive coaching evolves, CHROs planning to hire coaches in the new year have a number of factors to consider.

The executive head of human capital for Santam, Norah Sehunoe, believes in a holistic and strategic approach to the employee experience. CHRO South Africa spoke to Norah about being an employer of choice, nurturing staff, and focus points for the year ahead.

JJ Van der Walt, legal counsel for employment law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, unpacks why a recent Constitutional Court judgment has put the spotlight on retirement age, agreed upon retirement age, and how that is interpreted.

HR executives say the employment equity bill marks a pivotal step in South Africa’s journey toward a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

JJ Van der Walt, legal counsel for employment law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, unpacks key provisions of the bill.

As 2025 approaches, the global talent landscape is evolving rapidly, demanding fresh strategies to attract, retain and empower employees. From Gen Z leadership to AI-driven branding, Celeste Sirin, CEO of Employer Branding Africa outlines the trends reshaping employer branding.

Men’s health awareness month highlights more than physical wellbeing – it’s a reminder to prioritise mental resilience for a balanced, fulfilling life, writes international performance coach Alvin Govender. 

The vast majority of South Africa’s deskless workers enjoy their jobs, but low wages and unreliable public transport remain daily stressors. This was revealed in the 2024 Deskless Worker Pulse, a research report by Jem HR, a WhatsApp-based HR and employee benefits platform tailored for frontline workforces.

Fresh from the International EMBRAS Annual Awards,Celeste Sirin, employer branding specialist and CEO of Employer Branding Africa, shares her observations on how top global companies tackle leadership pipelines, employee engagement and ESG-driven impact.

Now more than ever, we should prioritise mental health in the workplace, writes Matimba Mbungela, CHRO at Vodacom Group, as the world commemorated World Mental Health Day on 10 October .

South Africa faces a significant shortage of project managers, affecting infrastructure development. With growing business confidence and potential new investments, the demand for skilled project management professionals is expected to rise sharply.

Integrity costs nothing, but when you lose it, you lose everything, writes Charissa Bloomberg, celebrity psychologist, international speaker and integrity leadership specialist.

As the country observes Suicide Prevention Month, Nicole Sorrell, co-founder and director at Lumina Learning Global, says mental health has to be an inside-out job for organisations.

Gender-based violence (GBV) plagues workplaces, impacting safety, dignity and equality. Itumeleng Mokhele, senior change consultant at The Actuate Group, shares how leaders can foster supportive environments.

In part two of this article, Lana Hindmarch, organisational wellbeing strategist and co-founder and CEO of BREATHE, delves deeper on how best organisations can adopt ubuntu's philosophy of collective responsibility to foster workplace wellbeing and prevent burnout.

In part one of this article, Lana Hindmarch, organisational wellbeing strategist and co-founder and CEO of BREATHE, advocates for shifting from the burnout norm to a collective wellbeing approach inspired by ubuntu, emphasising balance, simplicity and shared responsibility in workplaces.

“Survival of the Fittest” can be replaced with “Survival of the most Resilient” in today’s demanding and unpredictable landscape, says co-founder and global director of Lumina Learning, Nicole Sorrell.

AI turns recruitment from a chaotic firestorm into a smooth, enjoyable ride – like biking without all the flames, writes Dean Furman, CEO of 1064 Degrees, author, actuary and one of South Africa’s most popular keynote speakers.

Crafting an employer brand early can be a game-changer for startups, blending innovation with limited resources to attract top talent, writes Celeste Sirin, employer branding specialist and CEO of Employer Branding Africa.

Pamela Xaba, seasoned HR executive and founder of Nonkosi Creatives, unpacks how best one can navigate one’s professional life after many years of corporate HR roles.

HR practitioners face a litany of ethical considerations when it comes to managing the people process, not least of which is data privacy, employee rights, and unconscious bias. CHRO South Africa spoke with leading CHROs to find out how they are dealing with the matter.

Navigating AI responsibly for growth, efficiency, and social impact can address the skills gaps and foster transformative learning experiences, writes Dr Chris Jardine, Group CEO of Tsebo Holdings.

Burnout may be enemy number one in the global workforce. Of the many interventions to curb it, psychological safety emerges as the most promising ingredient, write Tyler Phillips, head of research and content and Dr Etienne van der Walt, CEO and co-founder, both at Neurozone.

EVP could be an employer’s secret sauce as it enhances talent management, highlighting company values and sustainability, attracting and retaining top talent, writes Celeste Sirin, employer branding specialist and CEO of Employer Branding Africa.

New parents will soon legally have the right to decide how to divide the four months of parental leave. Lindiwe Sebesho, managing director of Remchannel, and Blessing Utete, managing executive of Old Mutual Corporate consultants, provide their views on whether workplace policies and culture are ready for this gender shift.

Mercer’s 2024 Global Talent Trends reveals that execs grapple with talent exodus and the AI revolution, but prioritise human-centric agility, trust, and digital culture for sustainable growth. Tesantha Naidoo, principal consultant at Mercer South Africa unpacks the key findings for CHROs.

Way more than a buzzword in the modern workplace, the topic of neurodiversity is being covered by the likes of Forbes, Bloomberg and the World Economic Forum. Here’s why it’s important for astute employers to incorporate these new skill sets into the mix, writes Jeremy Bossenger of BossJansen Executive Search.

South African over-indebtedness is severe, with quick salary depletion, leading to short-term loans and worsening debt. Bayport's solution offers debt relief and financial education, reducing debt and improving financial stability for employees writes Alfred Ramosedi, CEO of Bayport Financial Services.

Navigating menopause in the boardroom is a crucial factor in gender diversity efforts, writes Lauren Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Embrace.

Who would turn down a personal assistant (PA) that takes care of all your admin and repetitive tasks flawlessly and speedily? With the latest developments in AI and automation tools, this is completely possible for most HR administrative tasks, writes tech lead at Mintor Chat-Based Solutions, Leànne Viviers.

Successful leaders have mastered the art of compelling leadership storytelling, writes Nelia Joubert-Hartman, change marketing director at the Actuate Group.

Embracing purpose-driven leadership will help transform organisations for a resilient future in a changing landscape writes Dr Alexia Cox, chief learning officer at MasterStart.

In this exclusive CHRO thought leadership piece, Kea Hammond, CPO at new-age solutions and systems integrator +Onex, explains why navigating the hybrid work landscape requires a fine balancing act.

Turn the recruitment lens inwards, as there is a hidden power in internal recruitment marketing strategies, writes Employee Branding Africa MD Celeste Sirin.

Embracing radical openness and generational differences proves to be beneficial for businesses worldwide, writes Anja van Beek, talent strategist, leadership and HR expert, and executive coach.

Nelly Mohale, head of human capital at Decusatio, and Ginen Moodley, founder of Moodley Attorneys, explain how sexual harassment in the workplace doesn’t only have financial implications, but also leads to emotional and reputational damage for both the parties and the organisation.

What does the future hold for HR leaders in 2024? Alexandra Ackron, human capital partner at Redi Holbourne explores the transformative strategies that are shaping the HR landscape.

Debbie Mtshelwane, lecturer and HR programme leader at North-West University Potchefstroom campus, further explores methods to nurture future HR leaders and highlights their vital role within a comprehensive approach.

What steps will you take to ensure your employer brand remains relevant, future-fit and authentic, asks Celeste Sirin, MD of Employer Branding Africa.

Workplace bullying jeopardises not only individual wellbeing, but also organisational effectiveness, writes HR professional and MD of Paradigm Management Consulting, Grant Saptoe.

Brett van Aswegen, CEO of short-term lending company Wonga, shares how he is working on creating a company culture that encourages his team to find motivation from within.

Andrew Brown, executive business coach at the Mentally Fit Institute South Africa, sheds light on the plight of the 'missing middle'—those skilled managers aged 32 to 40 grappling with the transition from executing strategies to inspiring leadership.

Similarities exist between ubuntu and mainstream HR practices and businesses should explore a synergy between the two systems to bring out the best in their people, writes CHRO Award 2023 nominee and CHRO executive advisor at Africa Chartered Managers, Besa Muthuri.