Human Capital

In South Africa, we sit with a paradox that should concern every business leader. On one hand, unemployment remains stubbornly high, particularly among young people. On the other hand, organisations are grappling with a deepening skills crisis.

Forget the year-end strategy sessions and performance reviews. I want to talk about something often forgotten - your career fantasy. Not the sanitised LinkedIn version, but the real one. Here, I reflect on why we stop dreaming once we hit our ’30s. I also share how to find our way back to those aspirations tucked away when life got busy. As such, this article is, at its core, a career fantasy reflection for anyone seeking to reconnect with their professional desires.

Digital transformation in local government can dramatically improve service delivery, transparency and citizen engagement. This finding comes from research published earlier this year by Nelson Mandela University. The study, “Assessing the impact of digital technologies on service delivery in local government”, published in March 2025, concluded that digital initiatives enhance efficiency, improve citizen participation and increase transparency.

When provident fund contributions are not paid, it is the beneficiaries who suffer the most. A reconsideration application before the Financial Services Tribunal confirmed that employers remain bound to honour their obligations. This applies regardless of the probationary status of employees or any transfer of business.

While alcohol-related offences can sometimes merit dismissal, this is not always the case. For example, where the employee has clinically been shown to be an alcoholic, treatment rather than punishment should be implemented. This is due to the employee’s incapacity. However, incapacity is not the only factor that could render such a dismissal unfair.

For many of us, work is one of the most significant factors in our general health and mood. When it goes well, it can be excellent. Work can be creative, lucrative and sociable. But when it does not, we often feel overloaded and stressed. Post COVID-19, many companies are making an effort to show they care. They offer better hours, remote work options, and lunchtime yoga classes.

Multitasking comes naturally to you as the owner or manager of a small, growing business. But when it comes to recruitment, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) feel stretched. Without an internal recruiter or a dedicated HR team, it is difficult to know where to start.

The recruitment landscape has been fundamentally transformed. In 2025, organisations regularly hire thousands of employees in a single quarter, contending with unprecedented demand for talent while maintaining rigorous standards for quality and candidate experience.

Should graduates be worried about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? AI is changing what it means to step into the job market. At the same time, it is opening doors for those ready to learn. Graduation is a moment of arrival. It represents the first exciting step into adulthood, independence and the beginning of a career.

Burnout and unhappiness at work are more common than you think. According to a survey from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, 60% of respondents wish they could afford to quit their jobs. Additionally, 50% of respondents feel unhappy about returning to work each Monday. Some 13% report burnout. These are alarming statistics.