ARC sustains excellence with fourth top employer title

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has been certified as a top employer in South Africa for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting sustained investment in human capital management, sound governance practices, and institutional leadership.

Certification by the Top Employers Institute follows a rigorous, independent review of an organisation’s human capital management policies and practices, including people strategy, leadership, and capability development, learning and development, employee wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and organisational culture.

Maintaining the certification for a fourth consecutive year underscores the maturity and consistency of ARC’s human capital framework, the organisation stated. It demonstrates that people management at the organisation is structured, evidence-based, and embedded within broader governance systems, rather than treated as a compliance exercise.

The ARC president and chief executive officer, Dr Litha Magingxa, said the recognition reflects the organisation’s understanding of its mandate and accountability as a public institution.

“Human capital development is central to good governance. For an organisation like the ARC, our ability to deliver credible science and achieve long-term national impact depends on the strength of our people and the systems that support them.

“This fourth consecutive certification confirms that our policies and processes are not only well designed, but consistently implemented. It also provides assurance that we are building institutional capability in a way that supports continuity, ethical leadership, and sustained performance,” he said.

Developing and retaining skilled workforce

As a national research institution operating in a complex and demanding environment, the ARC relies on highly skilled scientists, professionals, and support staff to advance agricultural innovation, food security, and climate resilience. Developing and retaining this expertise remains a strategic priority for the organisation, the ARC stated.

The ARC’s senior manager of human capital management, Lekanka Semenya, said the certification reflects the organisation’s commitment to translating policy into practice.

“This recognition affirms that our human capital policies are not only well designed, but consistently implemented across the organisation. It highlights the rigour of our systems, the professionalism of our workforce, and our focus on building sustainable institutional capability that supports performance, ethical leadership, and long-term impact,” Semenya said.

The top employer certification benchmarks organisations against global best practice and requires verifiable evidence of implemented human capital policies and governance-aligned processes.