Ask an Expert

Our experts understand that the world of people management can be challenging. To assist, HR Focus offers a unique opportunity for you to connect with an expert in the field. Our team of knowledgeable HR and IR professionals is available to answer your questions and provide guidance, helping you tackle even the toughest challenges. The HR Focus panel of experts can assist with advice and service offerings such as:

Drafting and amending employment contracts as required in terms of the BCEA, Sectoral Determinations, and Bargaining Council Agreements.
Representation at forums where general labour disputes arise (SA Bargaining Councils and CCMA), as well as the compilation of all documentation for representation, inclusive of condonation or rescission and related applications.
Implementation of relevant codes, policies, and procedures as required by the law (e.g., grievances, disciplinary and any other codes).
Acting as chairperson in disciplinary hearings and counselling meetings relating to incapacity (poor performance and ill health).
Assistance and facilitation with operational restructuring and change management.
Representation at union negotiations and meetings.
Strike management procedures and requests for urgent interdicts.
Provision of documentation to ensure the smooth management of your labour force from an IR perspective.
Training in labour law aspects.
Ongoing IR training and development as required.
Telephonic labour law assistance.
Facilitation of Employment Equity Committee and compliance management (EEA) and drafting of plans and reports.

Our Experts

Adv. Ernst Richter

Advocate / Commissioner (CCMA) / Arbiter / Trainer / Director and owner of Dispute Resolution and Legal Compliance Consultants.

Specialties: Litigation, mediation, general management, training, employment and commercial arbitrations, criminal law, labour law and negotiation.

Piet Delport

Piet Delport is a specialist consultant with over 25 years of experience in the labour law and industrial relations environment. He is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and graduated from the University of Pretoria with an LLB and an LLM in Constitutional and Labour Law. senior professional held in high regard by his clients and peers alike, he specialises in the Education sector of Public Service Employment Law and also advises employers, employers organisations and trade unions in the private sector.

Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson is the founder and owner of JMT Attorneys. He is a Senior Labour Law Attorney who specialises in Labour Law litigation. He has worked with many high-profile companies and persons. Mark Thompson has a reputation for litigation excellence. He has also sat as an Acting Labour Court Judge. He has extensive experience in the field of Labour Law having represented both companies and individuals in the CCMA and Labour Court. Further, he has also chaired and initiated a number of disciplinary hearings over the years. He also worked as a part-time Labour Law lecturer at a prominent University. Additionally, he has experience as an arbitrator.

Lobo das Neves

Lobo das Neves served in the South African Police for over 25 years. Graduate of the FBI National Academy – Completed studies at: University of South Africa (UNISA), University of North Florida (IPTM, USA), University of Virginia (USA) Recognised as an International Law Enforcement Expert, specialising in: Detective Services, Advanced Training, Executive Protection, Forensics. Qualified “Advanced Train the Trainer” with the United Nations (UNDCP), Recipient of several National and International awards and commendations, Owner of the International Law Enforcement Institute, Owner of “Drug Buster” – Drug Identification and DNA evidence collection devices

Adv. Chris Landsberg

Adv. Chris Landsberg is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and Graduated from the University of Pretoria with a BLC, LLB as well as a LLM degree, specializing in Labour Law. He further completed an advanced management course in Individual and Collective Labour Law, also from the University of Pretoria. Having a thorough understanding of most production and fabrication businesses, he brings long term strategic management solutions from an general operational perspective and not merely a clinical legal solution for individual challenges. He has extensive experience in drafting Employment and related contracts, codes and policies.

He has served as official of various Employer Organisations and is seasoned in Collective bargaining and related functions. He has approximately 18 years experience in representing and consulting in CCMA and Bargaining Council matters.

Cynthia Pillay

Cynthia Pillay has more than 14 years of experience as an HR generalist partnering with business to achieve results. She enjoys designing and developing HR initiatives that are aligned to the strategic direction of the various businesses she partners with. She has worked on initiatives involving the clarification of vision and values, team and leadership development, culture and change management for a variety of businesses and Leadership teams. Her way of working is characterized by a partnership approach to problem solving, creative approaches to experiential learning and dynamic interventions in both skills development and awareness raising. Her coaching career was born out of a deep desire to support people on their transformational journey. She has Bachelor of Arts degree (UKZN) & Honours in Psychology (UKZN). She is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Business Executive Coaching (Wits). She also has number of certificates such as, Industrial Relations, Trained Professional Coach, and Diversity Facilitator. Her passion, skills and abilities are in leadership development, HR consulting and coaching. Her niche is coaching individuals and teams in leadership development and high performance as well as HR strategy and designing initiatives in building high performance cultures and leveraging diversity.

Eugene Kruger

Eugene Kruger is a practicing Attorney with over 16 years experience. In 2014 he obtained his Masters degree in Environmental Law from the North West University (NWU Potchefstroom) where after he joined forces with a reputable Health and Safety and Training Consultancy. He is perfectly positioned to steer your companies Legal Compliance in the direction of sustainable business practices. Eugene completed the ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditors Course at SGS Consulting. He specialize in the following Health and Safety and Environmental law compliance aspects:

Environmental Legal Compliance Audits in terms of NEMA Occupational Health and Safety Legal Compliance Audits. Assessment of environmental legislative compliance and authorization investigations relevant to new project developments as well as assistance in all environmental related license and authorization applications. Assisting clients with the identification of environmental legal risks and liabilities during the planning and pre-feasibility, feasibility, operational and closure stages of projects. Due diligence investigations. Legal Review for Scoping documents and Environmental Impact Assessment Report. General environmental legal advice and legal assistance. Monitoring and updates of legal developments and the opportunity to provide input into legislative and policy developments if applicable. ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 Quality and Health and Safety Systems development and Implementation. Full spectrum Health and Safety services. HSE related trainings as provide through BTA

Jacquelene Swanepoel

Jacquelene Swanepoel is an experienced human capital business partner with more than 10 years experience in the corporate environment offering effective HR solutions to different industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction and the electrical industry. She started her career as an official for a large Employers Organisation in the North West, practising all aspects of industrial relations in the CCMA and various Bargaining Councils. She later entered the manufacturing industry where she was employed by one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world, gaining more than 6 years experience in many different aspects of HR Business Partnering, including occupational risk management, employee health and safety behaviour, legal compliance and training, learning and development. She later exited the formal corporate environment and joined forces with an established electrical construction company to develop and implement new HR systems and strategies for the company. She has a B.Com Behavioural Science degree (NWU) and B.Com Honours in Labour Relations Management (NWU). She completed her masters (M.Com Labour Relations Management) in 2012 with 2 publications of her thesis.