Our Outlook
Challenges, uncertainties and
disruptive factors FY26
Our Outlook
Challenges, uncertainties and disruptive factors FY26
Human capital
At SANBS, human capital is the heartbeat of our company. Our people are not just employees, but partners in purpose, united by a shared commitment to saving lives. Our strategic priority is to shape a fit-for-purpose workforce that is competent, compliant, connected and cared for.
This means building a culture of performance, attracting and retaining critical employees, driving capability development, and preparing staff for digitisation and AI. Key challenges include skills shortages, the loss of critical employees, and HPCSA training constraints, alongside rising workforce expectations and technological change, requiring fresh, people-centred approaches to development and support.
In FY26, our focus will be on:
Purposeful transformation of our Human Capital Management (HCM) function to ensure long-term sustainability as SANBS navigates workforce shortages, technological disruption and rising employee expectations
Align individual performance reviews and KPAs with the revised strategy to embed service and culture objectives into everyday performance management
Advancing strategic workforce planning through modernised, skills-based role profiles that enable agile deployment, mobility and capability development
Expanding the Growing Our Own bursary scheme to address scarce skills and build a dedicated future workforce
Optimising workforce efficiency to reduce burnout and support sustainable workloads
Embedding holistic well-being measures that prioritise psychological safety and resilience
Enhancing retention through recognition and rewards aligned with SANBS’ purpose and values
Leveraging AI-enabled learning platforms to support continuous skills development
Strengthening partnerships with HPCSA and SANC to resolve training bottlenecks and expand accredited talent pipelines
Through these efforts, SANBS is shaping a workforce that is future-ready, resilient and deeply connected to our mission — one where every individual feels seen, supported and empowered to deliver on our purpose of saving lives.
Risks
Material matters
Strategic pillars
Intellectual capital
Under the strategic priorities of a fit-for-purpose workplace and workforce, stakeholder engagement and partnership, and a resilient supply chain, SANBS’ intellectual capital is the engine of innovation, trust and future-readiness.
It encompasses our research and development capabilities, digital transformation, ethical standards, and the integrity of our information systems. By strengthening knowledge, embracing new technologies and deepening collaborations, we ensure SANBS remains relevant, trusted and globally recognised as a leader in blood transfusion services.
In FY26, our focus will be on:
Reskilling employees through SANBS’ RAD Academy to prepare for digitisation, AI and new models of work
Formalising data governance and information management to improve accuracy, security, and decision-making
Strengthening cybersecurity systems to safeguard integrity and build trust
Advancing research and translational science, including cellular therapies and genetic testing, supported by dual career pathways and grant funding
Enhancing brand advocacy through partnerships, academic publications, and stakeholder collaborations
Deepening regional and global collaborations, including leadership in WHO-led initiative for proficiency testing samples for African blood services
Expanding innovation in supply chain and donor services, including smart fridges, plasma collection, and improved logistics models
Embedding ethical standards through a dedicated ethics committee and helpdesk to reinforce accountability
SANBS aims to be internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in transfusion medicine, research and innovation. With ongoing research such as the Hepatitis C serology and malaria testing studies, our contributions will shape safer, more efficient blood services globally. By investing in intellectual capital, SANBS is future-proofing its relevance, building trust, and positioning itself as a leader in both the science and service of saving lives.
We continue to strengthen our position as a trusted leader in blood services across Africa, sharing expertise, building capacity, and shaping best practices through strategic collaborations. This role was further reinforced when the World Health Organisation (WHO) engaged SANBS to provide proficiency testing samples for African blood services, a testament to our technical excellence and the credibility of our accredited laboratory. Our leadership was also evident in hosting the African Transfusion Indaba and welcoming a delegation from Ethiopia for specialised stem cell collection and donor management training, deepening capacity-building efforts across the continent.
Risks
Material matters
Strategic pillars
