My legal background aligns perfectly with SANBS' mission. I am an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a strong foundation in law, having obtained my LLB from the University of the Free State (UFS). Currently, I am pursuing an LLM specialising in Labour Law at UFS, further expanding my legal expertise. During my practice as a candidate and qualified legal practitioner, my previous law firms served on SANBS' legal panel. I had the opportunity to work on several SANBS matters, which sparked my interest in the organisation.

Beyond my legal experience, SANBS' core values deeply resonate with me. As a non-profit organisation relying on the generosity of South Africans to donate blood and save lives, SANBS embodies the spirit of ubuntu – "motho ke motho ka batho" (a person is a person through other people). This aligns perfectly with SANBS' purpose – ‘Trusted to Save Lives’. While I can no longer donate blood due to chronic anaemia, joining SANBS feels like a meaningful way to contribute to this critical mission.

My experience as an Employee Relations (ER) Officer has been incredibly rewarding. I have been immersed in the world of blood products, expanding my knowledge of medical and technical terminology. SANBS is a unique employer within the health sector, allowing me to interact with a diverse range of medical personnel beyond the typical doctors and nurses.

One of the most stimulating aspects of the role is the challenge it presents. Issues at SANBS often require a non-standard approach. I have had to move away from a purely "corporate-based" perspective and embrace a semi-medical, semi-technical, and semi-collection-based approach. Thankfully, my colleagues have been incredibly supportive, providing invaluable guidance and knowledge in these areas.

Finally, this role has emphasised the importance of upholding SANBS' THREAD values in all my interactions and communication. Aligning myself with these core principles is a crucial aspect of my work at SANBS.

My primary responsibility is to foster fair and harmonious labour relations at SANBS. I achieve this by providing guidance and support to the business, particularly Human Resources Business Partners and employees, on employment and labour issues. I proactively identify potential risks and work to mitigate them, ensuring both business needs and employee well-being are considered. Ultimately, my goal is to achieve fair and equitable outcomes in all employee relations matters.

This role plays a vital part in supporting SANBS' commitment to its employees. Our dedicated workforce is the foundation upon which SANBS delivers safe and life-saving blood products. As the ER department undergoes its rebranding, we aim to emphasise how we contribute to the overall success of SANBS by cultivating trust and employee satisfaction. We achieve this by supporting both managers and employees in effectively navigating employee relations issues.

My experience in a corporate setting has provided a strong foundation for my role at SANBS, but it is the adaptation that has been most valuable. While my legal expertise readily applies here, I have had to learn to consider the unique medical, technical, and donor-centric aspects of SANBS operations. This broader perspective allows me to approach issues more holistically.

Another benefit of my previous experience is the opportunity to apply my legal knowledge in a practical, real-world environment. This shift from a purely corporate setting allows me to share my legal expertise in a way that is more relevant to the challenges faced by SANBS. It also promotes the development of sound ethical and empathetic approaches in decision-making, ensuring fairness for all parties involved.

There are several aspects of my role at SANBS that I find incredibly exciting:

• Leadership Development: I am eager to enhance my leadership skills by practicing empathy and agility when navigating employee relations issues.
• Senior Leadership Forum: The upcoming senior leadership forum presents a fantastic opportunity to learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience of SANBS' leadership team. Observing them in action will undoubtedly accelerate my own leadership development.
• E.R. Rebranding Project: I am enthusiastic about the E.R. rebranding project. By showcasing the value we bring to overall success, we can improve employee perception of the E.R. department.
• E.R. Training for Supervisors: The planned E.R. training for supervisors and line managers is another initiative I am looking forward to. Equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively manage employee relations will hopefully lead to a smoother resolution of issues, potentially reducing the need for HR and E.R. department intervention.