A culture that thrives because people do
A thriving business is built on a thriving culture. In 2025, Exxaro continued to invest in the wellbeing, connection and growth of its people, creating spaces where employees can show up fully at work and in life. From mental wellness to physical health, culture-building to meaningful conversations, this year was all about strengthening the human heartbeat of Exxaro.
Supporting mind, body and connection
Across our operations, wellness took centre stage. At Cennergi, Wellness Day 2025 brought immune-boosting health checks, rejuvenating massages, safe mental health conversations, and a moment to pause before winter. At Matla, the Seven Million Step Challenge ignited a movement, with over 1 480 employees taking steps toward healthier living, stronger teams and safer operations. Together, these initiatives remind us that wellbeing is not an event, it’s a culture.
FUNN@WORK: Joy as a cultural reset
Culture thrives when people connect. This year, we launched FUNN@WORK – a joyful boost designed to break down silos, spark energy and bring our culture to life in meaningful, everyday ways. From Spring into FUNN activities and creative celebrations for Mental Health Awareness Month and World Kindness Day, together we showed that kindness, laughter and connection are powerful drivers of resilience.
Why FUNN@WORK?
The acronym FUNN stands for “Functional Understanding Not Necessary”; this means that who you are matters more than the function you belong to. It’s not about titles, roles, or technical responsibilities. Instead, FUNN@WORK is about breaking down silos and encouraging us to connect beyond our day-to-day roles, to engage as colleagues and human beings, not just as functions or departments. By setting aside those barriers, we create opportunities for genuine collaboration, creativity, and resilience.
Ibandla Men’s Forum: Space to reflect, grow and lead
2025 marked the launch of the Ibandla Men’s Forum, a transformative platform supporting men’s mental, emotional, physical and financial wellbeing. Through open conversations, including the Men We Aspire to Be dialogue, men across Exxaro gathered to reflect, learn and redefine what healthy leadership looks like for men.
Culture Live: Shaping the Exxaro we want to be
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This year, we launched Exxaro’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP), a renewed promise to our people about the experience, growth, and opportunities they can expect, and the impact they help create.
Rooted in Our Possibility Promise, the EVP brings our SG&I pillar, Empowering our people to create impact, to life and reinforces our commitment to building a workplace where everyone can grow, thrive and do their best work – safely and together.
Moving is connecting: The Exxaro Road Race Challenge
The third Exxaro Road Race Challenge brought more than 5 500 employees, families, partners and Comrades champions together for a day of health, joy and community. It wasn’t just a race, it was a celebration of what it means to thrive together.
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A year of many voices, One Exxaro
Exxaro’s strength lies in its diversity in the many stories, identities, and perspectives that shape who we are and who we are becoming. In 2025, we made a deliberate commitment to not only recognise diversity, but to give it a platform. Through video features, photo stories and shared celebrations, employees across the business were invited to bring their voices, cultures and experiences to the forefront. By giving space to youth, women and our rich cultural identities, we strengthened the foundations of a workplace where everyone can grow, learn and thrive.
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Powering possibility through youth
During Youth Month, we celebrated the energy, ambition and insight of Exxaro’s young professionals. Through interviews and photo essays, young colleagues shared what inspires them, what they value about Exxaro, and what they hope to build for the future. Their stories were honest, bold and full of possibility – an exciting reflection of the next generation already shaping our business and country.
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Honouring women who lead and uplift
Women’s Month showcased the voices of women powering possibility across Exxaro.
Through the Pass the Mic Challenge, women honoured one another in deeply personal messages, celebrating impact, leadership and solidarity. These shared stories reminded us that visibility matters, representation is vital and when women thrive, our business thrives.
Celebrating culture, unity and belonging
Heritage Month brought colour, movement and storytelling to our sites, as employees embraced their traditions through dress, food, dance and celebration. These moments were more than cultural displays, they were expressions of identity and belonging. Each story, tradition and voice contributed to a workplace that continues to thrive on fairness, inclusion and respect.
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