By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@Pixabay.
As we approach Corporate Wellness Week (1–7 July), many South African professionals are hitting a mid‑year wall. Months of relentless pressure, shifting priorities, and economic strain take their toll.
It is no coincidence that 61% of local employees say they would quit if they could, citing stress, inflexible working conditions, and a lack of mental health support.
Wellness is a shared responsibility between individuals, teams, and leadership and Zanele Matome, Founder and CEO of Welo Health says that to create a healthy and high-performing workplaces, leaders must act decisively and systemically.
Below are Zanele’s top five strategies to meaningfully support staff this July and beyond.
- Listen and act on what you hear
The signs of burnout are not always loud. They are whispered in fatigue, irritability, disengagement, or absenteeism. Over a third of South African workers experience excessive stress daily.
Use pulse surveys and check-ins to uncover these silent signals. Most importantly, leaders must act on the insights to shift priorities, workload, or resources in real time.
- Champion micro-rest over token moments
Only 24% of South Africans, especially in urban hubs prone to traffic, enjoy flexible working conditions today. Introducing “stop‑meetings”, designated quiet zones, or “no‑meeting Fridays” can significantly boost focus and reduce stress. Research from South Africa’s public sector shows flexible arrangements improve job fulfilment and reduce absenteeism.
- Embed prevention, not just reaction
Our core model is preventative care. Since 2021, our at-home and workplace screenings (blood pressure, BMI, glucose) have helped identify early health risks before they escalate, says Zanele.
Evidence shows that workplaces with wellness programmes save $3–6 for every $1 invested, through reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism.
Partnering with providers like Welo helps companies create sustainable and measurable well-being frameworks, far beyond feel-good activities.
- Use tech wisely and make it inclusive
Tech platforms like WhatsApp enable quick access to wellness resources, but rural or lower-income employees need zero-rated platforms or USSD access.
Welo’s digital ecosystems support proactive health check-ins, regardless of device or internet quality, making wellness equitable.
- Train leaders to show genuine care
Frontline managers are the linchpin of culture. Organizations with empathetic leadership report higher engagement and retention. PwC warns that over half of Africa’s workforce experienced significantly greater workloads in the past year.
Managers must be equipped to spot burnout, hold meaningful check-ins, and act personally to support team members.
Why this matters beyond July
Corporate wellness is now a $464 million industry in South Africa, expected to grow even faster. But workers do not just want perks. They also want to feel visible, supported, and safe.
Meanwhile, a study found that 74% of South Africans say flexible working conditions increases employee loyalty. Companies that invest in meaningful wellness strategies build more resilient, loyal, and effective teams. They do not just reduce burnout. Instead, they cultivate engagement and performance.
This is more than a week of wellness. Think about it as building cultures where employees do not just survive but thrive.
Welo Health, with the support and backing from Aions, is able to support teams with flexible, accessible healthcare delivered on-site, at home, or online, helping businesses meet employees where they are.