Human Capital

Read our exclusive cover story titled The keeper test - when “good enough” isn’t enough? by Carl Ranger, Head of Training, CEO SA, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.

In any professional environment, the pursuit of efficiency and productivity often encounters two silent but potent obstacles: bottlenecks and micromanagement. Both issues emerge subtly yet deliver significant damage. They slow progress, frustrate teams and weaken the goals organisations work hard to achieve.

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.

There’s a quality I’ve grown to value more with each passing year, not just in leadership or in the workplace but in people. It’s not ambition, intelligence or experience. It’s positivity.

Incentive travel is making a strong comeback in South Africa, but not in the way it used to. Once defined by luxury and leisure, it is now being reimagined as a strategic business tool. This change aligns with employee well-being, sustainability and company culture.

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.

The law entitles charged employees to a fair and sufficient opportunity to prepare for the disciplinary hearing. They must also be allowed to testify on their own behalf, bring corroborative evidence and cross-examine the employer’s witnesses. In addition, employees have the right to use an interpreter, receive representation and have an impartial chairperson preside over the matter.

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.

South Africa's Constitution stands as a global pioneer. It was the first in the world to prohibit unfair discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Employment Equity Act of 1998 reinforces this protection and makes it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace. Understanding LGBTQIA+ in this context is essential for any employer committed to meaningful inclusion.

Amid the global race for critical skills, South Africa’s economic growth hinges on its ability to attract and retain top talent. Companies increasingly report challenges in finding these professionals locally, with the added difficulty of sourcing skilled workers with the right combination of work experience and qualifications.