Chantal Gray on the Rising Influence of SHE Managers in Building Healthier, More Responsible Work Environments
As economies across Africa and beyond invest in infrastructure, industrial expansion and new technologies, the workforce is growing in both size and complexity. With this evolution comes an urgent demand: businesses must ensure the safety and well-being of their people in environments that are becoming more dynamic, more regulated and more scrutinised than ever before. This has placed qualified safety, health and environmental (SHE). SHE Managers are at the very centre of modern organisational resilience.
The Rise in Demand for Qualified SHE Professionals
The renewed push for infrastructure development, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, is fuelling rapid workforce growth in construction, logistics, energy and manufacturing.
During this year’s State of the Nation Address, the President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Infrastructure Investment Plan, which will drive strategic development across six key sectors: energy, water and sanitation, transport, digital infrastructure, human settlements, and agriculture and agro-processing. Over the next three years alone, an estimated R500 billion will be allocated to general government infrastructure investment – a move set to significantly expand the national workforce and intensify the need for robust health and safety leadership across industries.
At the same time, global standards and compliance requirements are evolving. The ISO 45001:2018 standard introduced new benchmarks for workplace safety, demanding a proactive, systematic approach to managing risk and engaging stakeholders. Locally, enforcement by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Employment and Labour has intensified, requiring businesses to prove compliance with the labour laws, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act (SHE), and accountability. In this climate, having a qualified, forward-thinking SHE Manager is no longer optional – it is imperative.
The Expanding Role of the SHE Manager
Gone are the days when health and safety was confined to ticking boxes and filing reports. Today’s SHE Managers are strategic leaders, bridging the gap between regulatory obligation and workplace transformation.
Organisations are increasingly recognising the intrinsic link between safety, productivity and employee morale. When staff feel physically safe and psychologically supported, performance improves. SHE Managers now play a pivotal role in shaping organisational culture, embedding safety as a core value rather than a compliance requirement.
Moreover, the role is extending into the realm of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. Investors and stakeholders are placing greater emphasis on how companies manage people and the planet. Safety is no longer just about preventing accidents – it is about building responsible, transparent and resilient organisations that can weather disruption, adapt to change and thrive in the long term.
Building the Next Generation of SHE Leaders
To meet this growing demand, we must invest in developing a new pipeline of SHE talent. Traditional training models, heavily theoretical and classroom-based, are no longer sufficient. What is needed is practical, industry-aligned learning that mirrors the real challenges professionals face on-site and in the boardroom.
At SafetyCloud, we believe in continuous learning. As risks evolve with new technologies, remote work models and climate realities, SHE professionals must stay ahead of the curve. Blended and online learning options ensure that development is accessible, flexible and aligned with the pace of industry change.
Futureproofing Through People
If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that uncertainty is a given. Organisations that invest in strong SHE leadership are better positioned to navigate the unexpected – whether that is a public health crisis, climate-related disruption or rapid growth.
Now is the time for businesses to elevate safety from a compliance function to a strategic imperative. This starts by recognising the value that qualified SHE Managers bring – not only in protecting people but in shaping resilient, high-performing and future-ready workplaces.
Let us commit to developing the next generation of safety leaders. Let us equip them with the knowledge, practical skills and vision to keep our workforces safe and our businesses thriving.