About SARA

SARA's Mission

The South African Reward Association (SARA) is a professional body aimed at promoting the reward profession and practices. While setting minimum standards for the industry, we award professional status to eligible members in various reward and international mobility categories and create knowledge-building, sharing and networking opportunities for our members and those operating in our industry. We do this to promote and develop the reward industry and to ensure sound reward management practices and acceptable standards in the following areas:

  • Remuneration (Fixed and Variable)
  • Benefits
  • Work-life balance
  • Performance and Recognition
  • Important components of the employee value proposition
About SARA

SARA's role is to promote, develop and empower the reward profession in South Africa, and to ensure that Reward specialists and managers, human resources professionals and executives dealing with and responsible for Reward management, have the skills, confidence and passion for the reward discipline to make a significant difference in the way organisations position themselves to achieve their strategic objectives.  SARA plays a key role in the professional development of Reward professionals in South Africa through its internationally recognised training and internship programmes. Since its inception in 1997, SARA has grown from strength to strength. SARA’s head office is based in Johannesburg with a branch in the Western Cape (Cape Town) to serve our members nationally.  The SARA membership listing includes corporate firms, government service and State Owned companies. Most organisations listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are corporate members of the association and our individual membership listing exceeds 3500.

In January 2013 the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) approved SARA’s application to be recognised as a professional body. The SAQA Board also approved the registration of the following designations in line with the National Qualification Framework (NQF):

  • Reward Administrator
  • Reward Analyst
  • Reward Specialist
  • Chartered Reward Specialist
  • Master Reward Specialist


In late 2016, SAQA approved three (3) International Mobility (IM) designations, making professional development a reality for IM practitioners in South Africa.

The three IM professional designations approved by SAQA are:

  • Mobility Practitioner
  • Mobility Specialist
  • Master Mobility Specialist

This allows members who have received certification to use the designation awarded.

The field of reward management has expanded well beyond the concept of remuneration as companies realise the impact of human behaviour on their strategic objectives. It has become an essential art to attract, retain and engage employees at all levels within organisations. Reward professionals, who are responsible for the design, development and implementation of reward strategies, policies and processes that will support organisational and HR strategy and objectives, are deemed critical skills. These professionals need to be on top of their game at all times. It is therefore SARA’s purpose to ensure that these professionals, as well as those working closely with them, are equipped to face the challenges in the industry.