Beverage Brand a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa and Africa

South Africa’s Top Employer rankings this year point to an INCREDIBLY competitive landscape, with companies posting exceptionally high scores as they invest harder than ever in their employee value propositions. HEINEKEN Beverages’ 99.42% score places it firmly among the country’s Top 10 employers, while also securing Top Employer certification for Africa for the first time.

The story speaks to a broader shift in how businesses are responding to talent pressure - from leadership accountability and fairness to wellbeing, flexibility and culture - making this a strong, timely benchmark of what it now takes to stand out as an employer in 2026. Please let us know if you can feature this in your publication?

While the company’s national ranking shifted from fourth to sixth place, HEINEKEN saw an improved score overall, showing this movement reflects a more competitive peer landscape rather than a decline in performance, with organisations across the market accelerating investment in areas such as digitisation, wellbeing, flexibility and diversity, equity and inclusion.

PRESS RELEASE:

HEINEKEN Beverages recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa and Africa

Johannesburg, 15 January 2026 – HEINEKEN Beverages has once again been recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa by Top Employers Institute and, for the first time, has achieved Top Employer certification for Africa. The company has remained in the national Top 10 ranking.

The certification reflects HEINEKEN Beverages’ continued focus on building a high-performing workplace, underpinned by strong people practices, leadership ownership and a clear link between culture and business performance. This year, the company achieved a score of 99.42%, an improvement on last year’s 99.31%, strengthening its position well above the global Top Employer benchmark.

Jordi Borrut, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Beverages, said: “This recognition reflects the progress we continue to make in building a workplace where our People Promise is experienced every day. Improving our score to 99.42% shows that our focus on leadership ownership, fairness and growth is delivering results, even as the benchmark becomes more competitive. Being recognised once again among the Top 10 employers nationally, and achieving Africa certification for the first time, makes this a meaningful milestone for our business and our people.”

While the company’s national ranking shifted from fourth to sixth place, this movement reflects a more competitive peer landscape rather than a decline in performance, with organisations across the market accelerating investment in areas such as digitisation, wellbeing, flexibility and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Active in 131 countries and regions, Top Employers Institute is the global authority on HR certification, benchmarking and advisory. Organisations are assessed through its HR Best Practices Survey, which covers six core domains: People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Wellbeing.

Commenting on the certification, Adrian Seligman, CEO of Top Employers Institute, said achieving Country Top Employer status for 2026 reflects HEINEKEN Beverages’ strong alignment between its people strategy and organisational goals, as well as its commitment to continuous improvement in creating a better world of work.

For HEINEKEN Beverages, the recognition reinforces progress in embedding its People Promise into everyday experience, strengthening leadership accountability for the people agenda, and driving consistency, fairness and growth across the organisation. It also supports the company’s broader Challenger to Champion ambition, positioning it among leading employers in an increasingly competitive field.

In 2025, the Top Employers Programme certified nearly 2,500 organisations across 131 countries and regions, positively impacting more than 14 million employees worldwide.

About HEINEKEN Beverages

HEINEKEN Beverages is an alcohol beverages business that blends deep African heritage with global expertise. Formed through the coming together of three leading companies - Heineken, Distell and Namibia Breweries Limited - it draws on more than a century of international experience, innovation and excellence across a portfolio of 70 iconic brands. Operating in 13 African markets, HEINEKEN Beverages is driven by strong people and partnerships committed to sustainable growth. Its multi-category range spans premium beer, wine, cider and spirits, offering something for every taste and occasion.​

About Top Employers InstituteTop Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices. Through its certification programme, organisations are independently assessed and recognised as employers of choice based on the results of the HR Best Practices Survey, covering 20 topics across six HR domains. Top Employers Institute works with organisations worldwide to accelerate people practices and enrich the world of work.

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