About the Forum
The South African LGBT+ Management Forum is a registered non-profit company and public-benefit organisation working to strengthen LGBT+ workplace inclusion, transformation and accountability in South Africa.
The South African LGBT+ Management Forum, the Forum, is a registered non-profit company and public benefit organisation. The Forum works to strengthen LGBT+ workplace inclusion, transformation and accountability in South Africa.
The Forum brings together workplace inclusion, leadership, evidence, community insight and institutional practice. Its work supports employers and stakeholders who want to build safer, fairer and more effective environments for LGBT+ employees, professionals, customers, suppliers and communities.
Our history, mission and vision
Our history: The Forum was officially launched in 2017. Its early work focused on LGBT+ workplace inclusion and employee network development. In 2018, the Forum launched SAWEI, the South African Workplace Equality Index, as its flagship benchmark. Since then, the Forum's role has expanded to include advisory support, stakeholder engagement, research, resources, partnerships and sector development.
Mission: To advance LGBT+ workplace inclusion, transformation and accountability through evidence, partnership, benchmarking, resources and practical support.
Vision: A South Africa in which LGBT+ people can participate, work, lead, build businesses and access institutional systems with dignity.
How we work
The Forum works through evidence, partnership, benchmarking and practical support. SAWEI is the flagship benchmark, but the Forum's mandate is broader than a single index.
Its work includes advisory support, resources, research, stakeholder engagement, partnerships and sector development designed to improve real institutional practice.
Governance, independence and boundaries
Governance and independence: The Forum operates as an independent organisation with a clear public-interest focus and structured methods.
What the Forum is not: The Forum is not an emergency response service, counselling provider, legal clinic, shelter-placement service or a representative body for every LGBT+ person in South Africa. Where specialist support is required, the Forum refers people to organisations better placed to provide direct services.