Our Capitals
Our human capital - empowering SANBS’ people, advancing purpose
Our Capitals
Our human capital - empowering SANBS’ people, advancing purpose
Advancing strategic workforce planning
In alignment with SANBS’ long-term sustainability goals, strategic workforce planning is gaining momentum across the company. A new, phased approach was introduced, outlining a shift toward modernised, skills-based role profiles. This transition will establish a shared skills language across SANBS, enabling agile talent deployment, supporting internal mobility, and aligning capability development with strategic priorities.
To support this shift, a phased skills audit has been proposed to build an accurate talent inventory. This will uncover hidden capabilities, highlight critical skills gaps, and provide reliable data to inform smarter, more targeted workforce investments. Together, these initiatives will help move SANBS from theoretical planning to data-driven decision-making, enhancing organisational agility and readiness for the future.
Attracting and retaining the right talent
Leadership development and customer focus
Skills development
Engaged teams
Future-proofing SANBS’ workforce through our ‘Grow our Own’ approach
Leading with learning
We continued to grow leadership excellence through structured learning programmes:
The Supervisory Development Programme
The Supervisory Development Programme (SDP), launched in September 2024, has already trained 47% of junior managers. As the foundational tier of SANBS’ broader leadership development initiative, the programme equips emerging leaders with essential skills for effective team management. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and follow-up surveys will evaluate its impact on team performance and leadership effectiveness.
Growing our Own: Bursary Programme
Through our pilot "Growing our Own" bursary scheme, SANBS awarded bursaries to 10 third-year Bachelor of Health Sciences students specialising in immunohematology. One student ranked in the top ten nationally, and nine of the students will begin their internships with SANBS in January 2026. This initiative aims to address the scarce skills gap while cultivating a dedicated future workforce.
Saving lives goes beyond the blood we collect, it is also in the lives we uplift. Watch how our bursary recipients are transforming their lives and careers through opportunity, support, and purpose.
Creating growth pathways: “Grow our Own” in action
At SANBS, talent development is not just a policy, it is a lived reality. Through our “Grow Our Own” approach, we nurture internal talent, provide meaningful development opportunities, and support upward mobility across the company.
This approach has enabled employees to build long-term careers and take on leadership roles that directly shape the future of SANBS.
The journeys of team members such as Terrance and Charity, offer powerful examples of what is possible when potential is recognised and cultivated. These stories highlight not only individual achievement but also the impact of sustained investment in people.