Transformation for the right reasons

Our commitment to transformation is informed by the universal insight that everyone deserves an equal chance and opportunity to live a better life.

View our socio-economic strategy
Our transformation achievements
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Sanlam’s transformation agenda

As a purpose-led company, we seek to empower generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous. Our commitment to transformation is informed by the universal insight that everyone deserves an equal chance and opportunity to live a better life. Our grounding in South Africa has exposed us to the reality that it is impossible to transform economies without dealing with the underlying systemic social challenges, including redressing past injustices.

With the Sanlam transformation agenda, we are aiming to “build back better” in the markets where we operate. We want to truly align these markets with the natural, social and economic systems on which they depend and to build real resilience, driving equitable and sustainable growth and essentially reinventing capitalism itself.


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Our BEE credentials

More about transformation in Sanlam

Our purpose

“We aim to be at the forefront of authentic transformation within our sector and to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives”

Our commitment

Sanlam is committed to authentic transformation. We do transformation for the right reasons. We believe that true transformation is imperative for the business, employees and communities we operate in to thrive. Transformation is infused in our business and embedded in our values.


THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSFORMATION

What transformation means for Sanlam

  • Ensuring our employees and the communities we operate in have equal opportunities and meaningful participation in the economy - positively impacting people and societies where we operate
  • Inclusive and diverse workforce, and diverse and equitable representation in all occupational levels and all levels in the economy
  • Employees who are developed to meet Sanlam’s goals and objectives
  • Inclusive culture - ensuring a culture of belonging
  • Supporting diverse suppliers, ensuring the development of small businesses and diversifying our supply chain
  • Inclusive growth for all, including inclusive ownership and control of Sanlam - blacks and minorities in countries
  • Financially confident employees, suppliers and communities we operate in

Why transformation is important for Sanlam

  • It is the right thing to do - morally, legally and financially. We do transformation for the right reasons (not because we are forced to or ticking the scorecard).
  • Sustainable growth, and an expanded middle market, are central to our strategic ambition to become a fortress in South Africa, a pan-African champion, with a strengthened Indian franchise. Achieving this growth is dependent on transforming economies to become more inclusive.
  • Through our transformation efforts the Sanlam Group addresses the deep systemic vulnerabilities that prevent inclusive economic growth in markets where we operate.

Making a leading contribution
to socio-economic transformation

Transformation is one of the key ways that we create meaningful impact and address socio-economic issues. This extends beyond internal changes in our business to helping clients protect themselves and build financial resilience.

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Our transformation initiatives

104+ Growth and Empowerment Solutions
UWC Fellows Programme
Sanlam SANParks Rural SMME Programme
Youth4Tourism
Youth4Business
104+ Growth and Empowerment Solutions

The 104+ SMME Support Platform is a dynamic initiative designed to bridge the gap between small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and the resources they need to thrive in South Africa’s evolving economy. Powered by collaborative partnerships across the public and private sectors, the platform offers a comprehensive directory of funding, market access, training, and support services tailored to the needs of emerging businesses. By simplifying access to opportunities and enabling more inclusive economic participation, 104+ SMME aims to unlock the full potential of South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

https://104smme.co.za/

UWC Fellows Programme

The UWC Fellows Programme – in partnership with Sanlam for the first time – is a dynamic initiative designed to equip emerging entrepreneurs with the skills and support needed to build resilient, growth-oriented businesses. Run by UWC’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), the programme offers participants NQF Level 5 accredited courses, one-on-one coaching, and mentorship from seasoned business leaders. Through this holistic approach, young entrepreneurs gain critical business acumen, leadership confidence, and long-term sustainability strategies. Sanlam’s involvement has expanded the programme’s impact by introducing post-incubation support, ensuring continued guidance beyond initial training. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to empowering SMMEs as catalysts for inclusive economic growth and lasting prosperity in South Africa.

Sanlam SANParks Rural SMME Programme

The Sanlam SANParks Rural SMME Programme – a collaborative initiative between Sanlam and South African National Parks (SANParks) – is a pioneering effort aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth through sustainable tourism and conservation-linked enterprise development. The programme supports local SMMEs operating in and around national parks by providing access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and business training. It explores what’s working, what challenges persist, and how we can drive meaningful transformation by empowering communities to actively participate in South Africa’s nature-based economy.

https://www.sanparks.org/

https://sanlamsanparks.co.za/

https://www.iamanentrepreneur.co.za/

https://sanlamsanparks.co.za/

Youth4Tourism

The YES Youth 4 Tourism Programme – an initiative founded by Sanlam and managed by YES (Youth Employment Service) – is a targeted intervention aimed at accelerating inclusive youth employment within South Africa’s tourism sector. By connecting unemployed youth with work experiences in hospitality, travel, and eco-tourism, the programme helps unlock potential in one of the country’s most vibrant industries. It highlights what is working, where gaps remain, and how strategic partnerships can ignite innovative solutions to ensure young South Africans are meaningfully included in shaping and growing the tourism economy.

https://connect.yes4youth.co.za/youth4tourism

Youth4Business

The Youth4Business initiative – the second phase of the transformative partnership between YES and Sanlam – builds on the success of Youth4Tourism by shifting the focus from earning to owning. This innovative programme supports high-potential, youth-owned SMMEs across South Africa, offering seed funding, business mentorship, access to markets, and wraparound support services including financial literacy, compliance, and mental health resources. By enabling youth to transition from gig work into sustainable entrepreneurship, Youth4Business unlocks long-term economic inclusion and strengthens the country’s micro-enterprise ecosystem.

https://youth4business.yes4youth.co.za/

Sanlam Transformation Gauge

The Sanlam Transformation Gauge – in partnership with Sunday Times Business Times – is the only consolidated, sector-focused research report that takes a holistic measurement of economic transformation in South Africa, accounting for all elements of Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).

The 2023 Sanlam Transformation Gauge unpacks what is working, what isn’t, and looks at how we can spark debate and drive new solutions to reinvigorate our collective efforts to actively and deliberately include all South Africans in the economy.

Download report
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Our stakeholders

At Sanlam, we take our stakeholders seriously and believe that transformation happens when all our stakeholders partake in the economy of the country.

Our clients
Supporting our communities
Empowering our people
Empowering our suppliers

Through the years, we have built strong business relationships with our suppliers. This has helped us form good partnerships and enabled quality service from our suppliers. Through supporting our suppliers, we have helped build resilient supply chains.


Our transformation partners

The Foundation

The Sanlam Foundation has invested R858 million in communities since 2011.


Learn more

Sustainability

As one of the biggest insurance groups in the world, Sanlam plays an important role in creating and maintaining a sustainable system that can adapt and flourish.

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Our transformation achievements

Sanlam has achieved a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor status for the seventh (7th) consecutive year.

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People, diversity and inclusion

125 163

Number of employees globally

26 905

Number of employees in South Africa

81%

Percentage Black People in South Africa

63%

Percentage female employees in South Africa

52%

Percentage black female employees in South Africa


R475m

Investment in Training and Development

Top Employer

Winner for the ninth (9th) consecutive year

Top Empowerment

Winner for the sustainable business of the year 2024


Enterprise and supplier development

R25 million

ESD Grant Funding

  • R300 million Loans and Investment Funding towards ESD

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)?

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is a government policy to advance economic transformation and enhance the economic participation of black people (African, Coloureds and Indians who are South Africans) in the South African economy.

What is the difference between BEE and B-BBEE?

BEE refers to the government’s policy and B-BBEE is the implementation of the policy. Both refer to the same strategic framework that seeks to right the wrongs of the past and to distribute the wealth of the nation across all races and genders.

Why is B-BBEE important?

By complying with B-BBEE, organisations promote economic transformation in South Africa which in turn will promote economic growth within the country due to the increase in the extent to which communities own and manage enterprises.

How do I know in which B-BBEE category my entity falls?

B-BBEE classifies entities based on annual turnover.

What is fronting?

An entity or structure established to circumvent Black Economic Empowerment. For example, the creation of an entity that has no capability (staff or assets) merely to provide a good BEE-level or splitting a company into smaller entities to fall into EME or QSE categories.

Is fronting a criminal offence?

Yes, fronting is a criminal offence with harsh penalties.

How do I report fronting?

Fronting must be reported to the BEE Commission for investigation and action.

What is the purpose of the Employment Equity Act?

The purpose of the Employment Equity Act No. 55 of 1998 is to achieve equity in the workplace by promoting equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment through the elimination of unfair discrimination and implementing affirmative action measures to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by people from the designated groups.

What is affirmative active?

Affirmative action ensures that qualified people from designated groups have equal opportunities in the workplace.

What are affirmative action measures?

Affirmative action measures are measures designed to ensure that suitably qualified people from the designated groups have equal employment opportunities and are equitably represented in all occupational levels in the workforce of a designated employer.

What are employment equity barriers?

Employment equity barriers are defined as the reasons for underrepresentation of designated employees in the workforce profile.

Key resources

Contact us

sanlamgrouptransformation@sanlam.co.za