“VUT launches #HRShosholoza HR benefits awareness campaign, covering TCC salary, medical aid, and employee engagement.”
29 August 2025 | Story By: Tshepang Mothibedi | Picture:
2 minutes read time.
On 26 August 2025, the Department of Human Resources at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) officially launched the HR Benefits Awareness campaign. The event, hosted in the Desmond Tutu Great Hall, carried the theme #HRShosholoza – Moving Forward Together.
Ms Mapine Tuge, HR Systems Specialist, directed the programme. Delivering the official welcome, Ms Khanyisa Hanisi, Executive Director of Human Resources, outlined the purpose of the campaign and encouraged active participation. She emphasised the value of mentorship, urging staff to embrace opportunities for growth: “I would like to encourage you to take opportunities to find someone, a mentor, anything, so that we become intentional and achieve good results over time. Let us be ready to give those opportunities.”
Mr Sakhile Cele, HR Director of Operations, opened the presentations by introducing the new Total Cost to Company (TCTC) salary structure. He explained the rationale behind the model, how it operates, and the reasons driving its implementation. He highlighted how the new structure aligns with the university’s strategic objectives and detailed the “basic plus” approach, its benefits, calculation, and both advantages and disadvantages. His presentation aimed to give employees a clear understanding of the framework and its intended outcomes.
Employees were encouraged to engage actively, raising questions and sharing perspectives. Ms Tshimangadzo Tambani, Remunerations and Benefits Manager, captured these inputs and ensured clarity. One employee asked how the “basic plus” approach would affect overall compensation compared with the current structure. Responding, Ms Tambani and Mr Cele explained that the model offers a transparent, performance-linked framework, combining a guaranteed base salary with additional benefits or incentives tied to measurable performance. The structure is designed to reward contributions fairly while maintaining financial security for staff and institutional sustainability.
The second presentation was delivered by Ms Lanese Du Plessis of 4D Healthcare Consulting, who addressed the VUT medical aid scheme. She provided insights into the scheme’s background, explained available services, and guided employees on budgeting considerations and choosing suitable options based on income levels.
Closing the session, Mr George Mvalo, Director of Social Justice and Transformation, expressed gratitude to attendees. He underscored the importance of the campaign with a call to pride and purpose: “Be proud of what you’ve achieved. Let it inspire a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and excellence.” His words encouraged employees to embrace the new
strategies and benefits with enthusiasm, marking the HR Benefits Awareness campaign as a significant step towards building an engaged, informed, and empowered workforce at VUT.