South African Workplace Trends: What Employees Actually Want from Company Events

Trend 1: From watching to doing

Entertainment where the team sits and watches — a band, a comedian, a long list of speeches — is giving way to events where everyone plays a part. People want to make something, solve something or compete in something together. It’s the shared experience, not the show, that creates stories people retell for months.

That doesn’t mean the entertainment has to go. It just works better as the reward at the end of an active day, rather than the whole event.

Trend 2: Food as the main event

Few things bring South Africans together like food around a fire. That’s why culinary challenges have become one of the most requested event formats — turning the meal from something served to the team into something made by the team.

• Potjie cook-offs: teams plan, prepare and slow-cook their potjie, with judges tasting at the end. The long cooking time means plenty of conversation around the pot.
• Braai challenges: fire-making, marinades and a braai master title up for grabs.
• Master Chef-style rounds: mystery baskets and timed challenges for teams who enjoy a bit more pressure.

Cooking also plays to a wide range of skills: planners, creative types, the person who is great at shopping for ingredients and the one who just keeps everyone laughing. Explore our Master Chef team building and catering options for ideas.

Trend 3: Events that include everyone

A great event for one person can be a stressful one for another. The companies getting this right plan for everyone from the start:

• Different physical abilities: choose activities where success depends on thinking, creativity and teamwork, not speed or strength — and check the venue for access, shade and seating.
• Introverts and extroverts: mix high-energy moments with quieter roles such as strategist, scorer or designer. Not everyone wants the microphone, and nobody should be forced onto a stage.
• Food and faith: ask about dietary needs early — halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan and allergies — and avoid clashing with religious observances.
• Alcohol-optional: make sure the fun doesn’t depend on drinking, and offer good non-alcoholic options.
• Timing: daytime events are easier for parents and people with long commutes than late evenings.

Trend 4: Celebrating heritage and the seasons

South Africa’s calendar offers natural moments to bring teams together — and events linked to them feel meaningful rather than forced.

• Heritage Month (September): invite teams to cook a dish from their family or culture, run a heritage-themed dress-up day, or hold a potjie or braai competition around Heritage Day on 24 September. Give people space to share the story behind their dish — that’s where real connection happens.
• Spring: the warmer weather is ideal for outdoor challenges and a company fun day before the year-end rush.
• Year-end: swap the sit-down lunch for an active afternoon followed by a relaxed meal, and use it to celebrate the year’s wins. See our year-end function ideas.
• New year kick-off: a January or February team day sets goals and rebuilds energy after the holidays.
• Winter: move indoors with cooking, quiz and creative challenges. Browse our indoor events.

How to find out what your team actually wants

The simplest way to plan an event people look forward to is to ask them. Send a short, anonymous poll with three or four options and one open question: “What would make this event great for you?”. You’ll learn about dietary needs, accessibility and preferences you’d never have guessed — and the team will feel part of the planning from the start.