The 2026 edition of Africa’s only index that measures LGBT+ workplace inclusion has been launched, with a call for employers of all sizes to participate.
The LGBT+ Forum of South Africa (“the Forum”) announced that participation in the 2026 South African Workplace Equality Index (SAWEI) is now live.
SAWEI gives employers a credible, practical, independently validated tool to measure, strengthen, and celebrate progress on LGBT+ workplace equality. The last SAWEI took place in 2021 and all employers, from small businesses and NGOs to large corporates and public institutions, are invited to participate this year.
“Businesses thrive when every employee is treated with dignity, respect and fairness — regardless of who they are or whom they love. SAWEI is the roadmap that turns good intentions into daily practice and measurable outcomes,” said the Forum spokesperson Teveshan Kuni-Erasmus.
Participating companies will undergo an assessment process on their LGBT+ workplace inclusion and will be accredited and recognised at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Entry (Grassroots) level, with results announced in February 2026.
Each entrant will receive an independently validated insights report (with EY South Africa as the Audit & Validation Partner) to guide practical improvements. SAWEI also forms part of a five-year accreditation journey (2025–2030) with annual improvement checkpoints.
What’s new in SAWEI 2026
The 2026 framework has been refreshed across eight core themes, providing a comprehensive 360° measure of workplace equality:
- Governance and leadership
- Inclusive systems and spaces
- Recruitment and onboarding
- Employee support and wellness
- Capability and pay equity
- Culture and ERGs
- Supplier diversity and community co-design
- Advocacy, brand and customer inclusion
Why it matters
SAWEI links directly to South Africa’s Bill of Rights and aligns with 16 LGBT+-relevant laws, POPIA, and SDGs 5, 8, 10, 16, 17. It supports national priorities, including GBVF prevention, inclusive economic growth, and transformation across B-BBEE and ESG agendas.
By participating, employers will demonstrate credible leadership on DEIB (industry leader), will create safer, fairer workplaces for LGBT+ employees and will strengthen their appeal to top LGBT+ talent as an employer of choice. The process will also provide insights that inform transformation and compliance, will help build supplier diversity and pathways for inclusive growth.
Participating companies will also have the option to gain national visibility via MambaOnline.com, the official SAWEI LGBT+ media partner, which offers a targeted engagement platform that reaches over 40,000 community members and allies, and to be included in the 2026 SAWEI publication.
A proven track record
Since 2018, SAWEI has attracted growing participation from leading employers across South Africa. Previous top-ranking organisations include McKinsey & Company, Procter & Gamble, Unilever South Africa, and Vodacom South Africa.
“Nine years of SAWEI shows that organisations’ commitment to inclusion gains not just recognition, but the capability to embed equality into everyday systems — from HR and facilities to procurement and leadership,” says Kuni-Erasmus. “We invite all employers ready to walk the talk to join us in this next chapter.”
Key dates
- Go-Live: 26 September 2025
- Public briefing: 1 October 2025 — Online session to unpack the Index, scoring and the 2030 roadmap (registration via Forum channels)
- Close: 14 November 2025 (23:59 SAST)
- Review & Validation: November–December 2025
- Accreditation Announced: February 2026
Fees & how to enter
- R0 — Startups <50 employees
- R0 — Small Businesses <3 years & 50 employees
- R0 — NGOs/NPOs
- R3,700 — Midsized organisations (>3 years)
- R6,700 — Global/Pan-African/Large corporates
- R0 — Government
Fees fund platform operations, validation clinics, logistics and accreditation materials. Fees do not affect scoring.
To register: Click to https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/saweiproudemployer or email members@lgbtforum.org.
