2024 SARA Awards honour Leaders in Innovation and Transparency

MultiChoice, Standard Bank and others celebrated for setting new standards in reward excellence
 
Achieving greater transparency, simplifying the reward processes and addressing employee needs. Projects that achieved these goals took top honors at the 2024 Annual Reward Awards ceremony, hosted by the South African Reward Association (SARA).

The awards annually recognise businesses and individuals who create excellence in rewards that attract and retain employees, while also motivating them to contribute to their organisations.

The two big winners on the night were MultiChoice Group Ltd, which won the SARA Project of the Year Award for their Total Reward Online Tool, and Standard Bank, which received the SARA Remuneration Report Award.

The prestigious President’s Award went to Lindiwe Sebesho, with Bukelwa Molefe honored as the second-ever recipient of the Young Remuneration Professional Award.

SARA Project of the Year Award
This year’s Project of the Year Award recognised the impressive work of MultiChoice’s Total Reward Online Tool project, chosen from a strong pool of nominations spanning multiple industries. The project’s goal was to develop a streamlined tool to manage the annual remuneration review cycle, covering salary increases, bonuses, share allocations, and payroll submissions. The tool’s efficient, user-friendly design supports management across various levels and ensures swift, accurate approval processes. Judges praised the project for its impactful business benefits, effective project management, and ease of use, making it a well-deserved winner.

In second place, Doré Burger from BMW South Africa received acclaim for her leadership in BMW’s Total Reward Statement project, a benchmark for the company’s global Total Reward Statement reporting.

Joint third-place honors were awarded to RCL Foods and ABSA for their respective Penny Wise project and eKhaya Colleague Share Scheme, both of which have successfully enhanced employee financial well-being and engagement.

Remuneration Report Award
This award traditionally celebrates the alignment of reward reporting with the principles of the King IV governance guidelines, particularly in fair and transparent policy practices. From what the judges deemed a “very competitive pool” of eight nominations, Standard Bank earned first place with a report described as excellent in terms of readability, disclosure, and narrative clarity.

“The report’s balance of detail, transparency, and stakeholder focus is impressive, setting a benchmark for excellence in remuneration reporting,” the judges agreed.

Vodacom’s “clear, strategically aligned” report took second place, while Old Mutual’s “creative, visually engaging” submission also secured a spot on the podium.

Young Remuneration Professional Award
Bukelwa Molefe, currently serving as Compensation and OD Manager at Adapt IT, was awarded the Young Remuneration Professional Award. Bukelwa’s journey has been marked by rapid advancement and a commitment to giving back to the reward profession. She holds a BComm Honours degree in Economics and several professional designations, including the SARA Reward Specialist  designation. Her leadership roles in various SARA committees reflect her dedication to advancing the profession, and her peers regard her as an inspiring and committed leader in the field.

President’s Award
The prestigious President’s Award was presented to Lindiwe Sebesho for her lifelong contributions to the reward industry. With an impressive career spanning several senior leadership roles and an academic background that includes an MBA and a Master Reward Specialist designation, Lindiwe has consistently championed professional standards and governance. Her contributions to SARA include terms on the Executive Committee, meaningful policy discussions and mentorship initiatives, making her a true advocate and leader in the field.
 
ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
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