What Makes JTI Stand Out as a Top Employer in South Africa?

JTI ranks among the foremost tobacco and vaping companies globally, well-known for being one of the premier employers in the industry.

This reputation was solidified with the recent recognition of JTI as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for seven consecutive years—not just in South Africa, but worldwide, out of 155 participants.

The accolade is evaluated across six human resources (HR) domains, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, and more.

The company employs over 46,000 individuals worldwide and markets its products in approximately 130 countries, featuring renowned brands such as Winston and Camel, which are the second and third largest cigarette brands globally.

Recently, JTI has ventured into reduced-risk products, including the heated tobacco brand Ploom, the vaping brand Logic, and Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches.

This raises the question: what distinguishes JTI as a top employer?

Kedibone Letsika, the people & culture director of JTI South Africa, clarifies that the HR policies at JTI have been continuously improved to attract and retain exceptional talent in the marketplace.

With an annual staff turnover of around 2% in South Africa, there are valuable lessons here that could benefit others.

“This award, which marks our seventh win, reaffirms our unwavering commitment to our employees by equipping them with the time, tools, and resources necessary to thrive, succeed, and bring their ‘human best’ to work,” says Letsika.

“JTI takes HR policies seriously, rooted in local insights yet with a global perspective. We implement centralized HR strategies supported by a well-established compliance team.

“Our policies are centered on inclusion and diversity, reinforced by extensive awareness programs relevant both in South Africa and other regions where we operate—from standardized performance management, compensation, and recruitment to new hybrid work methods.”

JTI’s HR policies are underpinned by five core pillars:

1. Highly competitive compensation and benefits.
2. Well-established DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies that empower women and marginalized groups such as the LGBTQI community, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
3. Culture: Often considered a vague concept, this is not the case at JTI. We define it as ‘Our Way’, which reflects how we conduct ourselves and interact with one another. We conduct an annual employee engagement survey that assesses behavioral issues and employee pain points at local, regional, and global levels. Frequent feedback surveys enable us to pinpoint issues, which we present to senior management for action. This information guides initiatives aimed at alleviating these challenges and enhancing corporate culture.
4. Talent: Attracting talent is one thing; retaining it and fostering a strong succession pipeline is quite another. While low staff turnover presents both benefits and challenges, JTI diligently pursues new talent to keep its innovation engine running smoothly. The mix of both new and seasoned talent stimulates a dynamic exchange of ideas, supplemented by a mobility framework that allows staff to gain experience and knowledge across various local and international roles. While compensation is vital in attracting and retaining talent, it must be complemented by a rewarding and fulfilling career trajectory, says Letsika.
5. Capability development: This is essential for maintaining the organization’s excellence and involves supporting the career aspirations of every employee at JTI. Employees are provided with the necessary tools and resources to thrive and advance in their careers.

Letsika is a qualified company secretary and admitted attorney who previously served as the legal director at Heineken.

She began her journey with JTI as the legal director for Southeast Asia, where she spent three years before assuming her current role.

“I aimed to work in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, and what drew me to JTI was its remarkable corporate culture, characterized by respect for every employee and support for their career aspirations,” she shares.

She finds inspiration in her colleagues at JTI, the executive committee, as well as JTI’s South African general manager, Seshan Naidoo, and Akhil Bhardwaj, president for JTI’s regional market that covers the Middle East, Northeast Asia, and Turkey.

“There is an infectious energy within this company that motivates you to perform at your best, and that is what I cherish about working here,” she states.

“I appreciate being part of a culture that values your input. Each day, I wake up filled with immense passion for my work, a sentiment shared by my colleagues. We are consistently exploring ways to enhance our performance and culture. The standards here are exceptionally high, setting a clear benchmark for improvement.”

Presented by JTI South Africa.

Moneyweb does not endorse any products or services featured in sponsored articles on our platform.