RCCI Newsletter: 9th October 2026
THE BUSINESS WITHIN
Accountability, Transparency & the People Behind Business Success
OFFICE POLITICS: WHEN CULTURE STARTS TO CRACK
Every business has politics. Wherever people work together, there will be different personalities, opinions, ambitions and ways of doing things.
The problem begins when workplace politics replace professionalism, accountability and open communication.
When information is deliberately withheld, decisions happen behind closed doors, responsibility is shifted when things go wrong, or employees feel unable to speak honestly, an organisation begins to lose something far more valuable than productivity – trust.
A healthy business does not mean everyone always agrees. It means people can disagree respectfully, ask difficult questions, acknowledge mistakes and still work towards the same goal.
ACCOUNTABILITY STARTS AT THE TOP
Accountability should never be something reserved for junior employees. It has to exist at every level of an organisation – from the newest employee to the most senior executive.
Leaders set the tone.
When leaders take responsibility for their decisions, communicate honestly and admit when something has gone wrong, employees are more likely to do the same.
But when leadership avoids accountability, employees can quickly learn that protecting themselves is more important than solving problems.
That is when organisations become internally divided.
TRANSPARENCY BUILDS TRUST
Transparency does not mean every confidential business matter needs to be shared with everyone.
It means people understand what is happening, why decisions are being made, what is expected of them and where the organisation is going.
Employees who constantly feel excluded from important conversations can become disengaged, anxious and suspicious.
Over time, people can end up spending more energy trying to understand the politics of the organisation than actually doing their jobs.
A transparent workplace creates clarity – and clarity creates confidence.
WHEN OFFICE POLITICS BECOME A BUSINESS PROBLEM
Office politics become particularly damaging when personal agendas become more important than organisational objectives.
Favouritism, gossip, information hoarding, competing for recognition, undermining colleagues and creating divisions between teams can slowly erode workplace culture.
The consequences may not immediately appear on a financial statement, but they can eventually be seen through staff turnover, poor performance, damaged relationships, reduced productivity and lost business opportunities.
A business can have a brilliant strategy, a strong product and a healthy balance sheet – but if the people inside the organisation do not trust one another, the foundations are already under pressure.
YOUR PEOPLE CAN BUILD THE BUSINESS – OR BREAK IT
This is why hiring and developing the right people is one of the most important responsibilities of leadership.
A strong team does not consist of people who all think exactly the same way. It consists of people with different strengths, experiences and expertise who understand the bigger objective and know how their contribution fits into it.
One of the most powerful leadership principles associated with Sir Richard Branson is the importance of hiring people who are smarter than you.
“It’s all about finding and hiring people smarter than you. Getting them to join your business. And giving them good work. Then getting out of their way. And trusting them.”
– Richard Branson
The principle is simple: a leader does not need to be the smartest person in the room.
Trying to always be the smartest person in the room can actually limit a business.
Great leaders recognise where their own expertise ends and bring people into the organisation who can fill those gaps.
Hiring someone who knows more than you about finance, technology, marketing, operations, sales or another specialist area should not be threatening.
It should be an advantage.
Your job as a leader is not to know everything.
Your job is to build a team that collectively knows enough to move the organisation forward.
MENTAL HEALTH IS PART OF BUSINESS HEALTH
As we recognise Mental Health Month, it is important to remember that workplace culture has a very real human impact.
Employees do not leave their emotions at the office door – and neither do leaders.
Constant conflict, uncertainty, exclusion, excessive pressure, lack of recognition and an environment where people are afraid to speak can take a significant toll on wellbeing.
Leaders experience pressure too.
The responsibility of making decisions, managing people, dealing with financial pressures and constantly having to appear strong can become overwhelming.
This is why mental health cannot simply be treated as an annual campaign.
It needs to become part of how organisations lead, communicate, support and care for their people.
A supportive workplace does not remove accountability.
It creates an environment where people can be held accountable without being humiliated, threatened or made to feel disposable.
BUILD A TEAM WHERE PEOPLE CAN THRIVE
Great businesses are built on more than systems and strategy. They are built on people who trust each other.
That means creating an environment where employees can say:
“I made a mistake.”
“I need help.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I have a different idea.”
“I think we need to look at this again.”
These conversations should not be viewed as weakness.
They can be exactly what prevents small problems from becoming major ones.
The strongest leaders create room for other people to succeed. They recognise talent, listen to expertise, share information, give credit where it is due and take responsibility when things go wrong.
RCCI MEMBER PROFILE
INKANYELI GROUP
This week, we are proud to highlight Inkanyeli Group, an RCCI member operating within the built environment sector.
Inkanyeli Group is a multi-dimensional built environment organisation providing solutions across property development, construction, marketing and sales, project management, infrastructure and investments.
The group works across commercial, residential and industrial property developments, with a focus on project delivery, professional expertise and long-term client relationships.
Its construction division covers residential, building, light industrial and civil works, while its property development division works across mixed-use, commercial, retail and residential developments.
Inkanyeli also provides project management services as part of its broader built-environment offering.
The organisation places emphasis on honesty, reliability, professional competence and strong relationships with clients – values that are fundamental to sustainable business.
With its journey dating back to 2004, Inkanyeli has been involved in a range of developments and projects across South Africa.
CONNECT WITH INKANYELI GROUP
Head Office:
330 Surrey Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194
Tel: +27 (0) 10 007 2558
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.inkanyeli.co.za
Branches: Klerksdorp | KwaZulu-Natal | Umtata
WHY RCCI SUPPORTS
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
At the Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we believe stronger businesses are built by stronger communities – and that business growth should never come at the expense of human wellbeing.
RCCI exists to connect and empower businesses, provide access to information and resources, create opportunities and contribute to a stronger business community.
Mental health and workplace wellness are therefore not separate from the business conversation.
They are part of it.
When people are supported, heard and respected, they are better positioned to contribute, innovate, lead and grow.
This Mental Health Month, let us look beyond the numbers and remember the people behind every business.
Build the business.
Build the team.
Build the culture.
And, most importantly,
build an environment where people can thrive.
Join RCCI for a Morning Networking Session
Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Time: 08h30 for 09h00
Venue: 435 Rugby Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg.
Hayley Anne Taffs from Urban Balance Wellness will talk about mental health at work. She’ll cover self-awareness, authenticity and building healthier teams.
All are welcome.
Entry is R50 for members and R100 for non-members.
Or RSVP to [email protected] or call 086 101 9218.
RCCI GOLF DAY & GALA DINNER
28 OCTOBER 2026
Wednesday 28 October 2026 is a big day for RCCI. We start with golf and finish with a gala dinner. Both events take place at Randpark Golf Club.
Annual Golf Day
Thank you for the great response. The Golf Day is now fully booked. Supporters are still welcome to join us on the day.
We start at 8:30 for 9:00 and finish at 16:30.
Annual Gala Dinner
Join us that evening to celebrate people, partnerships and a stronger tomorrow. Our guest speaker is Dawie Roodt, economist, author and public commentator.
Doors open at 17:30 for 18:00, and the evening ends at 22:00.
Book your seats for the Gala Dinner
You can also RSVP to [email protected] or call 086 101 9218.
CONNECT. COLLABORATE. CREATE CHANGE.
The RCCI Golf Day and Gala Dinner represent more than events on the business calendar.
They provide an opportunity for business leaders and professionals to connect, strengthen existing relationships, establish new networks and recognise the important contribution that businesses make to our community.
Whether you join us on the golf course, attend the Gala Dinner, or participate in both, we look forward to welcoming you.
Thank you for reading our newsletter and for your continued support of the Randburg business community.
Yours in Business,
Tumelo Anna Ncube
Marketing Manager
Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry