The Future of HR Awards 2025, hosted by Topco Media, took place on 23 October 2025 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. It was an evening of glam that united the nation’s most visionary HR leaders, trailblazing teams, and forward-thinking organisations for an unforgettable evening of celebration and inspiration.The event shone a spotlight on those redefining the future of work through inclusion, innovation, leadership, and people-centric strategies.
Lee-Ann Bruce, Head of Brand at Topco Media, captured the spirit of the evening:
“The Future of HR isn’t just about policies or processes, it’s about people. It’s about the courage to innovate, the commitment to equity, and the passion to create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Tonight, we honour those who don’t just adapt to change, they lead it.”
The prestigious awards recognised outstanding achievements across a wide spectrum of categories, from Employer of Choice and HR Innovation to Learning & Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing, and individual leadership honours.
Each category reflected the evolving priorities of modern workplaces, celebrating organisations and individuals who are redefining excellence, driving transformation, and setting new benchmarks for the HR profession.
The list of finalists, winners and special commendations features SMMEs to MNCs from various industries, and were as follows:
Employer of Choice: Small to Medium Organisations
HR Hub Solution
Y-Brand
Construct Executive Search
INAYO MINING – Winner
Torque
Employer of Choice: Large Organisations
Smollan Group SA
XLink Communications
McCain Foods
Sibanye-Stillwater – Winner
Lyra Southern Africa
Employer of Choice: Public Sector Organisations (Sponsored by SALGA)
Durban ICC (SOC) – Winner
Thaba Chweu Local Municipality
University of Mpumalanga
Best Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Smollan Group SA
Sibanye-Stillwater
Schneider Electric South Africa – Winner
Michelin Tyre Company SA
Best Learning and Development Strategy
Smollan Group SA – Winner
Gauteng Film Commission
Sibanye-Stillwater
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION – Highly Commended
Spur Corporation
Schneider Electric South Africa
Lyra Southern Africa
Best Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Sibanye-Stillwater
Schneider Electric South Africa – Winner
Torque
Lyra Southern Africa
Best HR Industry Innovation Using Technology
BEE123 – Winner
Quantanite
Right to Care
Best HR Team of the Year
Eskom – Winner
INAYO MINING (PTY) LTD
Positive Switch
The Future of HR: CEO of the Year
Thembi Chagonda – Global Business Solutions
Keitumetse Lebaka – Gauteng Film Commission
Cassie-Jean Hendricks – HR Hub Solution
Roy Makwakwa – Thaba Chweu Local Municipality
Kabelo Ncholo – Y-Brand
Navlika Ratangee – Lyra Southern Africa – Winner
The Future of HR: Leader of the Year
Fuziswa Moyo – Quantanite
Kabelo Ncholo – Y-Brand – Winner
Prof. Kwazi Majola – University of Limpopo
Angela Senosha – Positive Switch
Natasja du Preez – Metso South Africa
The Future of HR: HR Rising Star of the Year (35 years or younger)
Yuleen Janse van Rensburg – YJVR Attorneys Inc
Nikiwe Nyamande – Corinthians Africa
Agnes Keneilwe Kutumela – HRH Consulting
Treah Nene – INAYO MINING – Winner
HR ICONS
The following organisations were honoured with the prestigious HR ICON status, recognising their longstanding commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact within the HR and talent development ecosystem:
Metso
Merchants
University of Mpumalanga
2U, LLC
FASSET SETA
These organisations exemplify the standard of leadership and dedication that continues to elevate the HR profession and inspire progress across industries.
The Future of HR Awards 2025 not only celebrated outstanding achievers but also shone a spotlight on the evolving and transformative role of HR professionals in today’s business landscape. More than a recognition platform, the event championed the individuals and organisations driving meaningful change – those building inclusive cultures, fostering innovation, and paving the way for sustainable growth.
Through their leadership and vision, these trailblazers are redefining the value of human capital – proving that people are not just at the heart of every organisation, but the true engine behind business resilience, performance, and societal progress.For more information about the Future of HR Awards, please visit futureofhr.co.za
