The HR director reveals how a varied 30-year career prepared her for her current role.
Cheryl opens up about her job, her background and the superpower she wishes she could have. The exco has come up with a ‘go-slow week’ and a ‘pyjama day’ – and even exco joins in.
Avanthi Maharaj says Focus Fridays also help in practising better meeting hygiene.
Quit Genius is the world's first digital clinic for treating nicotine, alcohol and opioid addictions. Return-to-work must be underpinned by psychological safety, which is high on SNG Grant Thornton’s agenda. Thato says that winning this national award has given her the opportunity to transfer her skills. Malisha believes that being vulnerable is a credible and authentic demonstration of your humanity. The key is to not overthink it and to keep your old relationships warm, says Ncumisa. Sigrid believes they could be the solution to many questions around the future of work. Masenyane Molefe says nothing – not her studies nor the first 15 years of her career – pointed towards becoming an HR professional. Asked how she landed the nickname, Brigitte says it all began when she was at Massmart. The group’s area senior HR director for the Middle East and Africa pens his thoughts on the new remote work era. Jasmin says the company has put a huge focus on helping people feel connected when working remotely. Steven realised at an early age that there wasn’t a much better feeling in the world than helping people grow. Sharon says belonging is about being able to bring your true self to work and thrive. If the global financial crisis was the mock exam, Covid-19 presented the real test for HR leaders, says Shyless. The Globeleq senior HR manager believes there is synchronicity between renewable energy and D&I. It is also why Brigitte won awards for Transformation & Empowerment and Talent Management at the 2020 CHRO Awards. Athol is fresh into his role as the HR director for East and Southern Africa at Nestlé. In her two years at the FMCG giant, S'ne and her team have transformed Tiger's people agenda and talent development approach. The 2020 Young CHRO of The Year tells the story of what one can achieve if they’re willing to work hard. Tshidi Anya has just joined Weir Minerals as the regional HR director: Africa and Middle East. Lucia says their employer brand is, in some ways, not dissimilar from the company’s witty consumer brand. CHRO SA caught up with her to find out more about her vision for the role. Ntiyiso Consulting Group’s HC director took an eight-month sabbatical before joining the firm. Now its HR director, she joined the beer maker before it was registered in South Africa. Michaela says there are very real benefits to the physical office that simply cannot be overlooked. After a rough few months, Darryl chooses not to wallow, but rather to find purpose in assisting others. Tracey says that in riding, as well as with HR, relationships are golden. Cebile is the co-chair of the Mondelez International sub-Sahara African D&I Council, which was instituted in October. The Regional Head of HR for Africa Middle East (AME) says it's all about the 3 Cs. Elsie has been with Eskom since 1995 bar a three-year stint at SARS. Tantaswa's experiences led to her becoming the poster girl for mental wellness within the organisation Former chief people officer Fhulufhelo Badugela is to become the regional director of MultiChoice Africa: Southern Region. Tracey’s career has given her and her family the opportunity to discover the world. Lungile says HR can drive ethical behaviour by protecting whistleblowers. Nerisha says she has always found the strength to overcome even the most strenuous of life’s challenges. Avanthi says joining Google was a dream come true. It was only after 18 years into her career that Tanya took her first HR role. Malisha says employees have adjusted to remote working far better than was expected. Cheryl says the pandemic has impacted their head office differently from their restaurants. In an upcoming webinar, Dolores will explain why implementing Workday is key to continuing Altron's remarkable turnaround strategy. This move represents yet another step towards a more progressive JSE, says Donald. The 2019 CHRO of the Year talks about how he's been able to stay at the top of his game for such a long time without ever feeling the need to switch companies. "In my view, human resources is about connecting the art of possibility, individual and team potential with organisational performance. It is how innovation comes to life and that's what inspires me the most about leading change in an organisation like Tiger," says S'ne. Phindo introduced Change Ambassadors to ease turbulence in times of transition and uncertainty. Bongani pivoted from a career in law when his political heart strings were pulled. Rachel says credibility is the most important trait that one needs to have in a law firm. Jade's first HR job was at Belgotex where she now sits on the executive committee. Hyren's LinkedIn post, in which he admits to making many mistakes in his career, went viral. Like so many of her peers, Pamela found herself in the profession as if it was driven by fate. Dean reflects on lockdown in the context of former president Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. Tarryn had a Masters in Chemistry and zero HR experience when she became an HR leader. Sharon's 29-year stint means she has shaped the people philosophies that define the bank today. The story behind Mechell's decision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. HR boss Verna Robson's determination and solution-oriented approach to life got her to where she is. Here's some advice for graduates from one of the top winners at last year's inaugural CHRO Awards. Some would say she sped through life but, for her, it was all pretty normal. She has a profound sense of responsibility to help people realise their full potential. She crafted the flexibility policy for Nestlé's South Africa office five years ago. She started a work-readiness programme with three strangers that she met on Twitter. Never one to shy away from making bold changes, Tamara welcomes new adventures. Trevor says South Africa's entire learning and development ecosystem is outdated. Following Abey's experience at Lonmin, the pair found healing on a pair of Harley Davidsons. They share experiences on what it takes to lead the leader of your organisation. Wherever she went, Marlize's motto was always to 'add value, make a difference and leave a legacy.' Tswelo runs marathons as a way to explore new cities around the world. Devni took a step into the new world of prestige beauty after 20 years in the banking industry. Having calculated every move in her career, she is now focussed on implementing the banking group's People 2020 strategy. Donald was mentored by some of the country's foremost business leaders. He says changing mindsets was the toughest challenge after shifting to Workday She says society's culture of immediate gratification has had negative consequences on human behaviour. Terence began his working life as a till operator at Woolworths. Investec staff can take flexible leave days and choose how to dress. For her, it is the key to unlocking human potential in order to drive meaningful business success. From his first HR job at Naschem to a tumultuous period at Lonmin's Marikana mine, Abey reflects on the roles that moulded him. It has been a mantra that has held her in good stead throughout her career. Strong business acumen widens the influence and impact HR leaders can make, says Dean. Nandi says this is crucial to aligning the people agenda with the organisational strategy. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach to employee engagement. As a former teacher and nurse, service to others has been a common thread throughout her career. Michelle tried some interesting tactics to win the trust of employees. Alice was involved in driving L&D for SA's first democratically elected parliamentarians. Candice's doctoral thesis will explore the ongoing lack of females in decision-making positions. A lot of Queen's success has come from understanding that employee engagement impacts business performance. Martie's career journey has been tough, but at the centre of it all is empathy. We speak to Shirley about why she made the change from marketing to HR so late in her career. The oil giant's General Manager for HR tells the story of how she found her passion. Throughout her career, Bess been involved in massive HR projects that were crucial to the success of the businesses she represented. The company's HR Director for South & Central East Africa gives an account of why she believes SA still has a long way to go before achieving true transformation. Andre lived on a Kibbutz and ran the affairs of celebrity singer/songwriter Sting's private home. It's an approach that has held her in good stead since the very beginning of her professional career. Shireen says young professionals need to be willing to constantly reassess their ambitions and capabilities to keep pace with the constant change in the workplace. The company's employee share ownership programme has transformed its talent attraction and retention efforts. She says making tough calls, courage, and creativity are key to changing a broken system. One year into his new role, Christian shares his thoughts on his move from the US to South Africa and a more daring approach to talent management. Like Sappi itself, the story of its HR group head Fergus Marupen is one of deep roots, local seedlings and a steady progression to international success. She says that, as soon as people have been engaged, they start talking to each other and preparing for change. There's no magic pill that you can give to people to make them adopt any given corporate culture, says Marge. Leslie talks about the latest evolution of their HR model, the implementation of the company's integrated systems platform on SAP and the impact on their businesses. She says the HR profession is going through a tech-based evolution similar to what happened in the sales industry years ago. Andre explains that there are different applications of HR tech depending on industry and employee profile. Nokuthula explains the importance of connecting with employees emotionally. Nathan feels fortunate to have worked in companies that place high value on their people. Trevor believes more effort should be put into developing leaders capable of weathering these trying and uncertain times. Tshepisho's varied experience has held her in good stead and is what she believes has given her an edge as an HR professional. She says HR must find solutions that are specifically effective for the business and industry that it operates in. After 33 years working in HR, Ebrahim still relishes being able to change people's lives He says the best way to combat legal faux pas related to such matters is to make sure that all parties are well-informed. It's all about purpose, well-being, empathy and finding the best way to get your message across to fellow executives. She sees the modern HR function as strategic, and herself as an enabling partner to business.
Tirelo can't stress enough the importance of making a meaningful impact Mhlo attributes his success to an extremely challenging introduction to working in the HR profession Khosi says her consulting background has held her in good stead as an HR executive. Get the strongest talent you can find and let them do their thing, says Trevor Even if that means hiring much younger candidates who can be groomed into leaders Outdated notions of a woman's place being in the kitchen are still a stumbling block in the world of work today, says Sungeetha BHBW's Malisha Awunor shares her passion for mentoring as a tool to drive talent development and employee engagement in the workplace.SAP’s Genevieve Koolen believes people enable organisational success
Up-close and personal with Yum! Brands’ Cheryl Whitaker
Gcobisa Ntshona discusses how LexisNexis is promoting employee wellness
Google has piloted Focus Fridays to give employees periods of uninterrupted time to work
Quit Genius allows employees to overcome their addictions 100 percent remotely
SNG Grant Thornton’s Neridha Moodley discusses prioritising psychological safety for the return to work
Passion, work-ethic and resilience win PnP’s Thato Mxo an award
EOH’s Malisha Awunor shares why showing vulnerability as a leader matters
Bryte SA’s Ncumisa Mtshali dissects the art of networking
Standard Chartered Bank‘s Sigrid Müller on hybrid workforces
‘HR found me’, says PPS Group Executive: HR Masenyane Molefe
Blue Label Telecom Group HC Professional Services Executive Brigitte Chetty on being “The Olivia Pope of HR”
Radisson Hotel Group’s Harpreet Singh on normalising remote working in SA
Microsoft SA HR director Jasmin Pillay on embracing the hybrid work model
Discovery’s Steven Teasdale is a lifelong student of leadership
Standard Bank chief people officer Sharon Taylor on belonging
EPPF head of HR Shyless Nkuna says servant leadership is paramount
Laura James to champion D&I as chair of renewable energy gender diversity group
McDonald’s SA's Brigitte Da Gama says their culture is what gets them through tough times
Nestle's Athol Swanepoel's career began with a role as an overqualified letter sorter
Tiger Brands CHRO S'ne Magagula on finding new ways to unlock potential
Autoboys CHRO Kyle Chetty has been working 16 hours a day for as long as he can remember
Weir Minerals’ Tshidi Anya is clear about what she wants from her career
Nando’s SA chief people officer Lucia McMullan says their culture is their secret sauce
Nametsegang Maruping on her role as group executive: human capital for Altron
Disebo Ramonyalioa “still in shock” at how the world of work has changed
Tshepo Yvonne Mosadi describes Heineken SA as her first love
Dimension Data CHRO Michaela Voller on why offices are here to stay
Former divisional executive Darryl Feldman shares his experience from Edcon’s collapse
Derivco's Tracey Rowe shares her life-long passion for equestrian sport
Mondelēz International’s Cebile Xulu remains a steadfast champion of D&I
Standard Chartered Bank's Millicent Clarke on the need to lead the leaders
Elsie Pule on driving Eskom's performance culture
Barloworld's Tantaswa Fubu talks about her journey with depression
Clement O’Reilly appointed chief people officer in Multichoice executive reshuffle
Derivco HR director Tracey Rowe’s voyage to discovering a global perspective
Servest's Lungile Langa on HR’s role in driving ethical leadership
Mars Africa’s Nerisha Charlton is never demoralised by adversity
Google HR Cluster Head for SSA Avanthi Maharaj on leading with compassion
Jaguar Land Rover SA's Tanya Ramlagan's career has been a pursuit of purpose and balance
EOH's Malisha Awunor on how to help employees acclimate to remote working
KFC's Cheryl Whitaker says Covid-19 has enabled a mindset shift
Altron's Dolores Mashishi on building the workplace of the future
JSE HR director Donald Khumalo explains new gender-neutral parental leave policy
MTN CHRO Paul Norman shares lessons from his 26 years at the company
Igniting human potential is everything to Tiger Brands CHRO S'ne Magagula
PPC's Phindokuhle Mohlala says their Change Ambassadors have been a godsend
Samela Holdings CEO Bongani Hlophe was drawn to HR by its political wonder
Leading HR in a law firm is no child's play, says Webber Wentzel HR director Rachel Masuku
Jade Peter's HR journey came full circle upon joining Belgotex as the executive HR director
A little vulnerability can go a long way, says Unilever's global employer brand manager Hyren Peterson
Netstar head of human capital Pamela Xaba's career has been a serendipitous journey of self-discovery
Aurecon chief people officer Dean Naidoo sees the silver lining behind lockdown
How Decision Inc's Tarryn Swemmer was plunged into the deep-end of HR leadership
Standard Bank head of human capital Sharon Taylor has mastered introverted leadership
Unilever's Mechell Chetty on setting big, hairy, audacious goals
Verna Robson's rise from Eldos to Sun International
5 career-building tips from Standard Bank's Sharon Taylor
Servest HR director Lungile Langa reached many of life's milestones sooner than most
McDonald's SA's Brigitte Da Gama is driven by her yearning to see people grow
Nestlé's Tania Hector is a huge champion of flexible working
Mondelez International HR director Cebile Xulu coaches unemployed grads in her spare time
From classroom to boardroom: Meet Tamara Parker, CEO of Mercer South Africa
Discovery SA's Trevor Kunda on the current state and future of L&D
Talking motorbikes and tattoos with Mercedes Benz SA's Abey Kgotle and his wife Nthabe
Shirley Zinn and Ndivhu Nepfumbada on leading your CEO
Hellmann's Marlize Kriel's lessons from a 10-year journey through the Middle East
Discovery SA's Tswelo Kodisang on the parallels between running and being an HR leader
Estée Lauder South Africa HR Director Devni Naidoo on perfecting people practices in the beauty industry
Deborah Fuller on making Nedbank's high-performance culture more agile
Donald Khumalo on transformation, the power of competition and 'The JSE Way'
ABSA's Sthembiso Phakathi on making line managers take ownership of people practices
ENSafrica's Lebitso Mokgatle on finding the HR sweet spot
SA sitting on a skills bomb, says Syspro CHRO Terence Moolman
Investec's Lesley-Anne Gatter reveals rationale behind new flexible leave and dress code policy
Unilever Africa's Mechell Chetty on the pursuit and power of purpose
Mercedes Benz SA's Abey Kgotle on the experiences that shaped his career
TransUnion's Ndivhu Nepfumbada says building relationships with business leaders is key
Aurecon's People Leader Dean Naidoo found his purpose in Africa
You need to have your CEO's ear, says Pioneer Foods group HR executive Nandipha Ngumbela
Engagement is a vehicle for driving culture, says Cell C's Juliet Mhango
Sasol Executive Charlotte Mokoena on leading through service to others
Without trust you have nothing, says Virgin Mobile's Michelle Ribeiro
Pearson's Alice Bhebhe says teaching runs in her blood
BAT's Candice Watson on the underrepresentation of females in leadership
Don't just listen, act on feedback from employees, says Oracle's Queen Mokonoto
Q& A with Paramount Group HR Director Martie Baumgardt
Q&A with Takeda HR Director Shirley Joscelyne
Engen's Chwayita Mareka on role models and the gift of feedback
Samsung's Africa head of HR Bess Skosana has a talent for turning things around
Mondelez International's Cebile Xulu tells the truth about transformation
Pernod Ricard's Andre Muller led a charmed life before joining the company
Old Mutual's Celiwe Ross on the importance of focusing on adding value
Pernod Ricard's Shireen Maharaj says young professionals need to be more deliberate in their actions if they are to succeed
Clicks Group's HR director Bertina Engelbrecht on how they got their ESOP right
Media24's Shelagh Goodwin on challenging the status quo
Take a chance on people, says Alexander Forbes Group CHRO Christian Schaub
Sappi's Fergus Marupen comes from humble beginnings
TFG's Senta Morley on the value of early engagement
Adams and Adams HR director Marge Mantjie on rolling out HR in Africa
BAT's Leslie Rance on leveraging global scale and technology
Dimension Data's Michaela Voller on bots and other applications of HR tech
It's about having connected employees, says Deloitte's Andre Vermeulen
Get to know your people on a personal level, says Four Seasons HR Director Nokuthula Kamwendo
Put people first, says Capitec CHRO Nathan Motjuwadi
Discovery's Trevor Kunda on grooming the leaders of the future
Our role is to facilitate partnerships for mutual growth and value, says Clientele's Tshepisho Tabane
Sun International's Verna Robson says best practice HR models aren't always applicable
Q & A with Grand Parade Investments Limited's Ebrahim Hendricks
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's Aadil Patel says race and gender discrimination in the workplace can no longer be ignored
Unilever CHRO Leena Nair on how to ignite the Human Spark
HEINEKEN SA's HR Director Njabulo Mashigo is a stickler for the basics
AngloGold Ashanti's Tirelo Sibisi on doing business with a conscience
The career evolution of Saint-Gobain's Mhlo Ntshangase
Q & A with AECI Group's Khosi Matshitse
Deloitte's Trevor Page on how to build strong teams
Tiger Brands' Tswelo Kodisang believes in attracting the right talent from the onset
Q & A with ABSA's Sungeetha Sewpersad
Paying it forward: The value of mentoring