Annual Employment Conference #AEC2026
Thursday, 12 March 2026 | Live
AEC Ticket: R3 990.00 (excl. VAT) | CPD Certificate: R55.00 (excl. VAT (SABPP)
Step into the future of work at AEC 2026, South Africa’s premier Annual Employment Conference, uniting HR leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the power of Human Insight and Artificial Intelligence. Join top executives for a day of strategic discussions, real-world case studies, and inspiring keynotes on leadership, transformation, and the future of employment.
Date: 12 March 2026 | Venue: Maslow Hotel, Sandton | Cost: R3 990 excl. VAT | Accredited: 6 CPD HR Points (SABPP)
Great news, registrations are OPEN!
Time & Location
12 March 2026, Thursday, 09:00 - 16:00
Live at Maslow Hotel, Sandton, GP
About The Event
AEC 2026 is where the future of work meets the power of Human Insight and Artificial Intelligence. This landmark annual conference brings together South Africa’s foremost HR strategists, executives, policymakers, and innovators to discuss how organisations can thrive in a digitally enabled, human-centric era. Expect a day packed with transformative ideas, expert panels, and actionable insights designed to drive growth, inclusion, and innovation across the employment landscape.
Join industry leaders as they explore the intersection of AI strategy, leadership transformation, and workforce evolution through dynamic keynotes, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Walk away with fresh perspectives, new connections, and practical frameworks to position your organisation at the forefront of change.
Core Topics Include:
• Human-Centric AI Strategy – Integrating AI for empowerment and intelligent decision-making.
• Future Skills & Leadership – Realigning workforce skills for digital transformation.
• Policy & Compliance Updates – Latest developments in employment law, equity, and digital compliance.
• Youth Employment – Innovative public-private partnerships and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Leadership Lessons – Insights from South Africa’s most inspiring business and sports leaders.
• Employment Equity Transformation – Practical success stories and lessons in inclusive growth.
• BPO & Digital Industry Trends – Navigating transformation in the fast-growing digital economy.
• Live Book Signing & Masterclasses – Engage directly with speakers and access practical takeaways.
Why Attend:
Network with forward-thinking executives and policy influencers.
Gain exclusive access to live demonstrations and case studies.
Earn 6 CPD HR Points accredited by SABPP (certificate optional at R55 excl. VAT).
Book a table of 8 and enjoy a 10% group discount using code #TABLE.
Event Details
Date: 12 March 2026
Venue: Maslow Hotel, Sandton
Cost: R3 990 excl. VAT per delegate
Optional CPD Certificate: R55 excl. VAT (SABPP accredited – 6 CPD HR Points)
Preliminary Programme:
Time; Session; Duration
09:00 – 09:10; Introduction;10 min
09:10 – 09:50; Khulekani Mathe – BUSA: Introduction to Youth Employment; 40 min
09:50 – 10:30; Prof. Haroon Bhorat; 40 min
10:30 – 11:00; Morning Tea; 30 min
11:00 – 11:30; Panel: Jonathan Goldberg, Prof. Haroon Bhorat, Khulekani Mathe – Moderator Bev Jack; 30 min
11:30 – 12:00; Simon Du Plooy; 30 min
12:00 – 12:30; Craig Kirchmann; 30 min
12:30 – 13:30; Lunch; 60 min
13:30 – 14:00; Sive Nodada – 21st Century (Remuneration Specialist); 30 min
14:00 – 14:35; Dr. Tabea Tshesane - From Compliance to Consciousness: Leadership That Delivers Real Workplace Transformation; 35 min
14:35 – 15:10; John Botha & Joshua Botha: Taking Stock of Leading AI Interventions in HR and ER - Practical Insight; 35 min
15:10 – 15:30; Robert Pearse – Harvard ManageMentor® Demo (by Harvard Business Impact®); 20 min
15:30 – 15:50 Panel: GBS Leadership Team: Jonathan Goldberg, Thembi Chagonda & John Botha; 30 min
15:50 – 16:00; Closing Remarks; 10 min
Presented by Global Business Solutions (GBS) - Your Partner in Strategic HR Compliance
All workshops are offered as customised in-house training that can be presented virtually or on-site.
*All courses and conferences are subject to minimum delegate numbers.
GBS is:
Qualifying Small Enterprise
Level 2 B-BBEE Contributor
53% Black Owned
More than 51% Black Women Owned
Stay tuned for more #AEC2026 Speaker Reveal Series – new names, new perspectives, announced over the next few weeks.
More about the industry-leading speaker lineup:
Thembi Chagonda
Joint-CEO of Global Business Solutions & Employment Equity Commissioner 2025
Thembi is a key advisor to several national and multi-national organisations on their employment equity strategies, policy development, and compliance, as well as a Commissioner representing business in the Employment Equity Commission.
Jonathan Goldberg
Chairman of Global Business Solutions
Johnny has led labour law for 30 years, negotiating at plant, industry, and NEDLAC levels. He advises clients on regulatory changes and is a sought-after speaker. Key roles include Commissioner on the National Minimum Wage Commission, Labour Market Convenor at NEDLAC, and representative on the Employment Services Board. He is also a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors South Africa.
Dr Tabea Tshesane
MD: We Find Talent & Khulisane | V20 Co-Chair l Commission for Employment Equity Chair 2014 - 2024 | Conscious Capitalist (Master Business Certificate in Conscious Capitalism)
Dr Tabea Tshesane is a seasoned Diversity, Inclusion, and Transformation leader with over 30 years of experience across employment equity, compliance, and inclusive organisational change. A committed advocate of Conscious Capitalism, she has completed specialised training with the Growth Institute and conducted extensive research in the field, supporting organisations seeking deep, values-driven transformation. Her international engagements, including representing South Africa at the ILO and UN, reflect her commitment to ethical and purpose-led business. Tabea is currently the Managing Director of Khulisane Academy and We Find Talent, where she continues to champion sustainable, stakeholder-focused leadership.
Prof. Haroon Bhorat
Professor of Economics and Director of the Development Policy Research Unit at UCT
An economist with a PhD in Economics from Stellenbosch University has published over 150 academic journal articles, book chapters, and working papers, and co-authored two books on labour market and poverty issues in SA.
John Botha
Joint-CEO of Global Business Solutions, CEO of Circle And Square & Former EE Commissioner
John Botha is a highly regarded leader in workforce solutions, labour law, and strategic business transformation. As Joint CEO of Global Business Solutions, he brings decades of experience and has shaped South Africa's labour and employment landscape through his roles on the Employment Equity Commission and Essential Services Commission.
Craig Kirchmann
Managing Director: Kirchmanns Inc.
Craig is an experienced Attorney and Labour Law Specialist who has represented major corporations across South Africa. He was the instructing attorney in the Free-Market Foundation case and the Assign Services Constitutional Court case.
Dr Simon Du Plooy
Portfolio Manager at Corion Capital
Over 20 years of experience in financial markets and is responsible for Corion’s strategic and tactical asset allocation. In this role, Simon is instrumental in allocating over R13bn of investments among different local and global equities, bonds, commodities, and fixed interest.
Joshua Botha
Head of AI, Global Business Solutions
Joshua Botha is the Head of AI at Global Business Solutions, where he leads the design and implementation of practical AI tools and intelligent automation workflows for clients. A 2024 BCom graduate from the University of Pretoria, he combines a strong business foundation with a hands-on focus on AI-driven process improvement. Joshua began his career at GBS in the B-BBEE division under the mentorship of Cindie van Blerk and Richard Ryding, gaining deep exposure to complex compliance, transformation, and regulatory risk work for high-profile clients. He has since succeeded Courtney Botha as Head of AI and now drives the continuous enhancement of GBS’s AI and automation portfolio, including its award-winning disciplinary inquiry bots. Working closely with John and the broader consulting team, Joshua is passionate about translating real HR and labour challenges into robust, compliant, and user-friendly AI solutions, and brings an energetic Gen Z perspective as a presenter and facilitator on the AI Compass Capacitation Programme.
Sive Nodada
Executive Director at 21st Century | Performance Management & Strategy Cascading Specialist I Organisational and Individual Performance Technology Implementation
Performance Management & Strategy Cascading Specialist focused on implementing performance technology that enables better decision-making and continuous improvement. My work centres on helping HR operate as a supportive business partner by putting the right systems, structures, and processes in place so line managers can build high-performing teams and create effective feedback loops. My experience spans corporate strategy development, digitisation, systems implementation, and change management, with a strong focus on technology-enabled employee performance management in hybrid and remote contexts.
Khulekani Mathe
BUSA CEO | Business Leader | Experienced Non-Executive Director | Strategist | Public Policy Specialist | Researcher | Government Relations Expert | Public Speaker
Senior General Manager in the banking industry. Experienced Policy-maker with demonstrated history of working in Government. Veteran adult education practitioner, with many years of experience in the non-profit sector. Skilled in Sustainable Development, Analytical Skills, Government, Programme Evaluation, Spatial Planning and Social Policy with a Master of Science (MSc) focused in Development Finance from University of Manchester, Institute for Development Policy and Management.
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