Topco Media, a leading events and media company, proudly hosted the Future of HR Awards 2023 on 23 November at the prestigious Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg with over 150 attendees.
In this opening address, Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media emphasised the transformative role of HR in shaping the future of work. He stated, “It’s the people’s practices that allowed organisations to attract and retain the talent that achieved these results.” Reflecting on the conference, Fletcher highlighted the global competition for highly skilled talent and the need to showcase and celebrate African talent in the face of evolving challenges.
Cecilia Albertyn, VP: Membership & International Networks at the British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa and esteemed judge, shared valuable insights into the diverse backgrounds and journeys of the nominees. She encouraged all HR professionals to embrace discomfort for growth, stating, “There is no growth or fulfillment without hardship. If you stay in the shallows and in the comfort zone, you cannot get there.”
The keynote speaker, Nene Molefi, CEO of Mandate Molefi, delivered a powerful address on sustained behaviour change, the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, and the importance of addressing difficult conversations in organisations.
She noted that “In order for us to make a sustained behaviour change, there needs to be a belief that there is a problem to be solved, a challenge, or a growth opportunity. Whether at home or at work, what you resist persists.”
Molefi urged all HR professionals not to postpone challenging conversations, emphasising the necessity of addressing issues head-on to create a robust and engaging workplace.
“Whatever your pain point is, whether it’s gender-based violence or any issue when you identify that pain point, don’t postpone it, don’t avoid it. It comes back to haunt.”
Congratulations to the individuals and organisations who were acknowledged for their excellence and commitment to a dynamic and powerful Human Resources sector in South Africa:
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE: SMALL – MEDIUM ORGANISATIONS
Winner:
- Torque Solutions
Finalists:
- DLK GROUP
- Nutun
- Digital Frontiers
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE: LARGE ORGANISATIONS
Winner:
- In2Food
Finalists:
- Schneider Electric
- TLC Worldwide
- Vector Logistics
- HBZ Bank
BEST LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Winner:
- Schneider Electric
Finalists:
- In2Food
- IPSOS
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies
BEST HEALTH AND WELLBEING STRATEGY
Winner:
- 2U, Inc.
Finalists:
- Nutun
- Torque Solutions
- Virgin Active
BEST HR TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner:
- BIOVAC
Finalists:
- Nebula
- HBZ Bank
BEST HR INDUSTRY INNOVATION USING TECHNOLOGY
Winner:
- Mint Group
Finalists:
- DLK GROUP
- Digital Frontier
- Absa Bank
CEO OF THE YEAR
Winner:
- Lexis Nexis – Videsha Proothveerajh
Finalists:
- TLC Worldwide – Preneshen Munian
- Torque Solutions – Sally Acton
HR LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner:
- Nutun – Dineo Sekwele
Finalists:
- Vector Logistics – Annelie Govender
- DLK GROUP – Hannes Verwey
- HBZ Bank – Shehnaaz Kajee
- JSE – Refilwe Maboea
- BIOVAC – Candice Alexander
- IPSOS – Abena Amankwah
HR ICONS
- ACCA South Africa
- PPS Insurance Company Limited
- VKB Landbou
- Herbalife
- Blue Label Telecoms
- SALGA
