OUT IN THE WORKPLACE

Downloadable Workplace Resources

OUT IN THE WORKPLACE

The South African Workplace Equality Index

Who We Are

The South African LGBT+ Management Forum, or "The Forum" for short, works with companies across South Africa to create safe and equitable workplaces that enable lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT+) professionals to contribute to their fullest potential. Our primary work involves running the flagship South African Workplace Equality Index (SAWEI) and developing free resouces for those working in workplace diversity. We are a section 18a non-profit company registered with the CIPC in South Africa.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create a safe and equitable workplace for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression by educating, supporting, leading, networking and celebrating.

We spend the majority of our waking day at work therefore it is imperative that every employee, regardless of their otherness, should be treated equally as well as enjoy equal opportunities. In order for this to happen, LGBT+ diversity and inclusion standards need to be set and greater accountability needs to be expected from leaders in our workplaces.

To achieve this, the Forum works with large businesses in South Africa to ensure that a best-in-class approach to promoting and celebrating diversity is achieved.

We aim to be the trusted voice of the private sector on LGBT+ workplace issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do we do?

Our approach is focused on education and communication. We enable decision makers to apply LGBT+ diversity and inclusion best practices by informing them about the needs and sensitivities of LGBT+ people through the sharing of downloadable resources on this website and work with companies to start up and develop their own LGBT+ employee networks.

One of the core functions of The Forum is the biannual South African Workplace Equality Index (SAWEI) which seeks to benchmark the levels of LGBT+ equality in the workplace. This benchmark helps us to celebrate best practice and to identify opportunities to shape the way we engage, educate and guide South African businesses to improve LGBT+ diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

As the Forum develops further we intend to expand our activities into community support, networking events, coaching and seminars.

Who helps to make SAWEI happen?

One of our strategic partners is Traction, who supports us with running the comms and events function. Traction is a diverse multidisciplinary team of specialists committed to advancing diversity, inclusion and transformation objectives in the workplace.
The unique online SAWEI platform is built and maintained by Microsoft

How can my company support the forum?

We rely and appreciate support from both the corporate and private sector. To find out how you can support the Forum financially please click here Support Us

Alternatively, we are always open to support in the way of pro-bono services. Please contact us on contact@lgbtforum.org if you're interested in being a sponsor in kind.

How do we operate?

The Forum is led by Steering Committee members, each of whom are Directors of the NPC with their own portfolio of responsibility. We are also supported by various partners that offer services and advice to the Forum on a pro-bono basis. All Steering Committee members work for the Forum alongside their day jobs on a purely voluntary basis.

Team Members

Farai Morobane

Farai is a communications and development professional currently working in public policy for a social media organisation. Contact Farai at comms@lgbtforum.org

Luke Andrews

Luke is an experienced strategy consultant with a focus on the manufacturing, consumer and industrial products sectors. He works across Africa and the UK. For the Forum he leads our flagship SAWEI programme. Contact Luke at sawei@lgbtforum.org

Thabang Sebata

Thabang is a former management consultant with experience in the Financial Services industry in South Africa and UK. She now works for a leading technology and mobility provider across sub-Saharan Africa.

Teveshan Kuni

Teveshan Kuni CA(SA) is a Financial Services professional with 15 years experience in Financial Services across Africa and the US, largely in Credit Head and Risk Management positions. Teve leads on our partner relationships. Contact Teve at members@lgbtforum.org or finances@lgbtforum.org.

Thandi Masuku

Thandi is a digital sales specialist focusing on Cloud Managed Services and Systems Services across industries.