WesBank’s workplace inclusivity focus launches new season of #SAINC
17 April 2023: Brotherhood, women empowerment and a step-up into the world of work are three pivotal pillars transforming the workplace within WesBank, the country’s leader in vehicle and asset finance solutions. Recognised as a Top Employer for the sixth year in a row, the company will be profiled in Episode 1 of the new season of #SAINC, which premieres on Thursday, 20 April at 17:00 on Business Day TV (DStv channel 412).
Now in its fourth season, #SAINC is a 10-part documentary series that focuses on some of South Africa’s most inclusive organisations, whose commitment to driving social transformation, economic growth and shared value creation is evident in all areas of the organisation.
“A top employer should be characterised by the practices and principles that are incorporated into how the organisation operates, that are both inward and outward-looking. These span issues around diversity, equity and inclusion, shared prosperity, sound employer/employee practices, employee wellbeing and innovation,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank.
“We focus on a futurist lens to the world of work. This encompasses progressive standards to create growth and development opportunities for employees within the organisation, together with potential recruits who aspire to work for a recognised top employer in South Africa. As such, it is a real honour for the organisation to be featured as the first episode in Season 4 of #SAINC.”
WesBank’s #SAINC story will feature content that addresses the three pillars and how these are integral to the WesBank workplace culture. In focusing on how WesBank is addressing the youth unemployment crisis and youth employability through job internships and career development programmes, we follow the career development of WesBank Motor’s Communication Assistant, Thabo Batshe who is a university graduate that has completed the FirstJob programme at WesBank and is now a full-time employee within the organisation.
The story will also explore how WesBank is developing and nurturing women talent and empowerment through a programme called Lotus. One of the programme’s participants, Kutlwano Mogatusi, shares the story of her career development at WesBank to the position she holds today as Marketing Communications Specialist within the WesBank Motor division. She unpacks where and how she started out, the challenges overcome along her journey, and the invaluable opportunities and experiences the programme has presented to her. Kutlwano also describes the impact the Lotus programme has had on her career, and her future plans.
The third pillar demonstrates WesBank’s commitment to and support of male employees through a sustained programme that focuses on their mental health and physical wellbeing. The concept of Brotherhood is explained by Mzwandile Mazive, Digital Product Owner at WesBank. He talks about the life challenges and issues that he – and many of his male colleagues – are dealing with in both their work and home environments, and the importance of these circles of support in managing the daily balance of work-life, home-life and general wellbeing. A hike in the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve with Mazive and a Brotherhood group member exemplifies one aspect of the support programme.
Bringing the three pillar profiles together is the interview with WesBank CEO, Ghana Msibi, who was promoted into the top leadership position in July 2022. Msibi reflects on his career trajectory within the group, as an inspirational journey for young South Africans who are looking to create career opportunities for themselves. His story also explains how the various themes fit together as integral pieces of the puzzle in the context of WesBank’s people development and performance strategy, including how the company contributes more broadly to South Africa’s socio-economic development needs.
The WesBank workplace feature will premiere on the #SAINC documentary series broadcast on Business Day TV (DStv channel 412) at 17:00 on 20 April, with repeat screenings on the channel on 21, 22, 23 and 25 April.
#SAINC tells stories about South Africa’s most progressive, innovative and switched-on brands that are placing people at the centre of their vision and have committed to the ethos of profit-with-purpose and the pursuit of inclusive, sustainable business growth. The programme’s mission is to amplify the idea that brand equity is best served by an authentic social narrative. As people, we connect with people and, in turn, we care about brands who authentically create value for people.
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