A total of 130 South African companies have been certified as “Top Employers” for 2025, joining a prestigious list of over 2 400 organisations recognised across 125 countries and regions.
The Top Employers Institute, an independent organisation that evaluates and certifies workplace excellence, announced the 2025 Certified Top Employers on 16 January. The certification highlights companies’ commitment to creating exceptional working conditions and implementing forward-thinking human resources (HR) strategies.
Certification is based on the Top Employers Institute’s HR Best Practices Survey, which evaluates organisations across six key domains and 20 topics. These include People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity and Inclusion, and Employee Wellbeing.
Achieving Top Employer status requires organisations to undergo a rigorous assessment process, demonstrating continuous improvement and excellence in HR practices. The recognition reflects an ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
David Plink, CEO of the Top Employers Institute, underscored the importance of this year’s achievements in a rapidly changing world.
“In a time of constant change – where technological, economic, and social shifts are ever-present – exceptional times bring out the best in people and organisations. This year’s Top Employers have showcased this strength by demonstrating outstanding dedication to their employees,” Plink said.
The top 25 Top Employers listed under the financial services sector for 2025 include Monocle, African Bank, Sanlam, Daimler Truck Southern Africa Ltd, Absa Bank Ltd, Vodacom Pty Ltd, Transunion Africa, National Lotteries Commission, RCS Cards, Momentum Group Ltd, Evolution Credit Ltd, Alexforbes, Avbob, RMB, EPPF, Discovery, FSCA, OUTsurance, BMW Group South Africa, Genpact, Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), Nutun, Mr Price Group Limited and Mukuru.
Ten companies made the cut in the insurance sector: GEMS, OUTsurance, Avbob, Santam, Monocle, Mukuru, Momentum Group Limited, Law For All, Discovery and Absa.
In the banking sector, six companies were listed: Mukuru, African Bank, Discovery, Absa, Monocle and RMB.
Sanlam
Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial services group on the African continent, has secured the 10th spot in South Africa’s 2025 Top Employers rankings, achieving an overall score of 97.9% – well above the national benchmark of 84.45%.
The company excelled across all domains measured, with notable improvements in areas such as onboarding, offboarding, and learning. Employee listening initiatives were highlighted as a key driver of increased satisfaction scores, reflecting the company’s focus on understanding and addressing employee needs.
Sanlam’s Human Capital team has introduced measures to modernise workplace practices, enhance employee wellbeing, and foster an inclusive and diverse culture.
“Sanlam is committed to listening to our employees, responding to their needs, and continuously improving the work environment to foster growth and success,” said Sana-Ullah Bray, group executive: Human Capital at Sanlam.
Key achievements contributing to Sanlam’s ranking include:
- Work environment: Sanlam’s hybrid organisational culture supports a balance between employee needs and business objectives.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB): The company has embedded DEIB into its culture, creating a space where employees feel valued and empowered to succeed.
- Employee wellbeing and development: Comprehensive wellness programmes, including mindfulness workshops and financial coaching, provide employees with resources to thrive personally and professionally.
“We are always looking for ways to enhance our people practices and ensure they align with the evolving needs of our employees,” says Bray. “The insights we gain through the Top Employer process are invaluable in helping us refine our practices and continue to build a workplace where employees are truly empowered.”
Momentum
Momentum Group has been named a Top Employer for the fifth consecutive year, with an overall score of 87.63% for 2025, a steady climb from 66.15% in 2021. The certification reflects the company’s strength in key areas such as digital innovation, rewards and recognition, leadership, employee learning, and employee well-being.
“We put exceptional effort into nurturing our people, and being recognised year after year as a Top Employer is a testament to that,” said Lettie-Basani Phume, Momentum Group’s Human Capital executive. “This certification is about being a sought-after employer where talent feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.”
The company stood out for its digital HR practices, particularly with the introduction of an app that offers self-service functionality and personalised insights. This enables employees to access key information at their convenience, from any location.
Momentum also made improvements to its physical work environment, including repurposed office spaces designed for collaboration, and health-focused upgrades like enhanced air quality, solar power, and oxygen-friendly plants.
“These innovations empower our people to focus on what matters most – driving impact and serving our clients with passion and purpose,” Phume said.
Momentum Group’s commitment to employee well-being was also highlighted, with programmes like Wise and Well in South Africa providing mental health support.
The company’s recognition and rewards schemes are tailored to meet individual needs, while the offboarding process ensures departing employees remain valued.
“Our commitment to engagement goes beyond the workplace,” Phume explained. “We listen, we care, and we act, ensuring every interaction with our employees is meaningful and helpful.”
Career growth and development are key priorities for the company. The Career Navigation Framework provides employees with clear pathways for advancement, while leadership development programmes ensure employees are prepared for future roles.
“Career development at Momentum Group isn’t simply a process – it’s a promise to our people,” Phume added. “We’re here to help them take the next step, wherever they are on their journey.”
Santam
Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, has once again been recognised by the Top Employers Institute as one of the country’s leading employers. The company ranked 5th overall on the 2025 list of organisations excelling in people practices and retained its position as the top-certified employer in the insurance sector.
This marks the ninth consecutive year Santam has achieved Top Employer certification.
“This ninth consecutive certification and the 5th ranking is a testament to Santam’s sustained efforts in creating an environment where our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to excel,” said Norah Sehunoe, executive head of Human Capital at Santam. “At Santam, we firmly believe that investing in our people is central to our mission of delivering outstanding service to our clients.”
The company continues to align its HR strategies with global best practices, using the Top Employer recognition as a benchmark to enhance employee experiences and strengthen its employer brand.
“This recognition motivates us to continue refining our practices, ensuring that our people strategy remains a cornerstone of our success,” Sehunoe added. “Our goal remains to continue fostering an exceptional workplace that not only attracts but also nurtures top talent in South Africa.”
RMB
For the first time, RMB has secured a spot among the top 20 companies in South Africa and is ranked number one in the financial services sector in the 2025 Top Employers certification. The recognition underscores the company’s year-on-year improvements since it first participated in the certification process in 2020.
This year, RMB saw notable advancements in employee attraction, engagement, and development, aligning with its strategic focus on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent.
“Our people are key to our success as a business. This certification is testament to our ongoing partnership with our people to create a workplace environment that makes us an employer of choice across our jurisdictions,” said Nomza Makubalo, RMB’s Chief People Officer. “Aligned to our purpose of empowering our people and clients to be exceptional together for all to thrive, we remain deeply committed to enable our people, to serve our clients and society with distinction.”
