Our Capitals
Our human capital - empowering SANBS’ people, advancing purpose
Our Capitals
Our human capital - empowering SANBS’ people, advancing purpose
Strategic human capital shifts
As we evolve into a more responsive and resilient company, SANBS has embraced strategic HCM shifts that elevate the role of people practices in driving operational agility, ethical culture, and employee engagement.
Integrated change management
Change capability is now a foundational part of onboarding and team development at SANBS. Targeted team effectiveness sessions, combined with structured change management interventions, have been instrumental in building resilient teams and supporting the successful adoption of systems like BECS. These efforts are not only improving performance but also embedding a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability across the company.
Raising organisational maturity through strategic HCM engagements
Increased awareness and understanding of key people practices, such as performance management frameworks, fair and transparent wage negotiations, and talent development strategies—are strengthening SANBS’ employee value proposition. These strategic engagements are promoting a culture of accountability, inclusiveness, and shared responsibility, while positioning the HCM function as a trusted enabler of organisational growth.
From compliance to culture
A strong ethics framework, complete with help desks, ambassadors, and a dedicated committee, has been embedded to support a values-based culture.
Organisational alignment via TOM
The implementation of strategic realignment initiatives, informed by Target Operating Model (TOM) recommendations, has strengthened operational focus, clarified role expectations, and enhanced organisational agility. These shifts have laid a strong foundation for more effective service delivery, improved cross-functional collaboration, and deeper employee engagement.
Embracing our challenges
While we have achieved several important milestones, we acknowledge that there are still areas for improvement. Regulatory constraints imposed by the HPCSA on our clinical training programmes have made it challenging to scale our internal professional capacity in key regulated fields, and we aim to navigate these limitations to enhance our training capabilities.
Some employees have emphasised the need that improving psychological safety remains important, emphasising the need for a workplace where everyone feels heard, respected, and supported as we continue building a more inclusive and empathetic culture.
Instances of inconsistent communication at various levels of the company has affected some employee engagement and created some uncertainty regarding direction and priorities; we recognise that addressing these communication gaps is crucial for promoting trust and cultivating a more connected workforce.
Looking ahead: Evolving human capital for a future-fit SANBS
As SANBS navigates workforce shortages, technological advancements, and rising employee expectations, the HCM function is undergoing a purposeful transformation to ensure long-term sustainability and organisational resilience. Our priorities for the future are clear and people-centred:
Workforce
optimisation
Improving staffing efficiency, reducing burnout, and supporting healthy leave-taking practices to ensure a sustainable workload and well-being.
Skills-based talent
management
Transitioning to a dynamic skills framework through targeted upskilling, a centralised internal skills inventory, and strategic partnerships to build scarce talent pipelines.
Strengthening employee well-being and resilience
Embedding trauma-informed policies, peer support structures, and flexible benefits that prioritise psychological safety and holistic wellness.
Enhancing employer branding and retention
Aligning recognition and reward programmes with SANBS’ purpose and values to promote pride, belonging, and long-term commitment.
AI-enabled learning and development
Leveraging personalised, on-demand learning platforms and microlearning to empower continuous growth and real-time capability building.
Together, these shifts will position SANBS to attract, develop, and retain a future-ready workforce, one that is equipped, inspired, and united in our life-saving mission.