Culture is the new currency for cross-generational SA businesses

Cross-generational businesses undeniably face unique challenges, but they can also unlock a wealth of opportunities.

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In South Africa, where employees contend with a double demographic squeeze, workplace culture is no longer a soft issue—it’s a strategic imperative. At one end stands Generation Z — digital-native graduates who expect growth, flexibility and diversity from day one. On the other end, older employees are facing a very different reality: insights from Sanlam’s Age of Confidence analysis of over 300 000 fund members suggest many may need to work significantly beyond the traditional retirement age of 65 to afford a dignified retirement.

This tension between youthful ambition and extended working years plays out clearly in the findings of the 2025 Sanlam Benchmark Report, released on 19 June 2025. The research reflects the lived realities of millions of South Africans across multiple generations. While 42% of individuals surveyed believe they are on track to retire with enough savings, six in 10 retirement funds say their members won't have enough to maintain their current standard of living. Only four in 10 believe the current retirement age of 65 is still sufficient for long-term financial security.

Can a single employee-value proposition (EVP) really speak to employees across such vastly different generations?

The answer lies in culture. Recent Gallup findings reveal a direct correlation between engaged, enabled employees and superior business results. The global analytics and advisory company’s findings indicate that business units that score in the top quartile of their organisation in employee engagement nearly double their odds of success compared to bottom-quartile units. This translates into improvements like an 81% reduction in absenteeism, an 18% increase in productivity, and a 23% increase in profitability.

South African organisations can create a culture of inclusion, growth and well-being for employees across every life stage:

What Gen Z wants from work