This year marks the fourth iteration of the Violence Survey – an initiative presented by RCS, in partnership with BNP Paribas and the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI). The 2023 results paint a picture of declining violence across several key categories. While this is indeed a positive development, the impact of violence on the wellbeing of communities and the mental health of employees, remains a deep concern. 

Sandi Richardson, HR Executive at RCS, highlights the profound impact of violence in South Africa, emphasising its wide-ranging effects on individuals as community members, family members, and employees. “According to our survey, 87% of corporate leaders observed a significant impact on presenteeism, where employees, though physically present, struggled to perform due to mental or physical distress. 

Additionally, 91% of corporates noted an increased impact on employees' mental health and well-being compared to 2022. These findings underscore the interconnectedness of employees' life experiences and their workplace performance.” Richardson urges employers to prioritize helping employees to create safer and more fulfilling lives, recognising that external factors significantly influence on-the-job effectiveness.

The survey seeks to understand and identify the effects of violence on vulnerable communities as well as its impact on business operations in South Africa. Two sample groups were surveyed: individuals within communities impacted by violence, and South African corporates. The survey focused specifically on respondents from high-risk communities across Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as corporates from a broad spectrum of sectors including construction, retail, hospitality and financial services.

Report by the RCS in partnership with BNP Paribas and The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative