Magwayi Ben Mabena has more than 30 years’ experience in labour law and employee relations. His employee relations career began during the 1987 National Union of Mineworkers wage strike involving the Chamber of Mines.

Before joining the corporate sector, he authored an article titled “The Industrial Court as Seen from the Perspective of a Black Trade Unionist,” which was published in Codicillus, UNISA’s Law Journal, in 1988.

He spent most of his employment career in the corporate sector, with his last role being Vice President: Corporate Services at South African Airways Technical.

He served as a part-time Commissioner at the CCMA in 1995 and as a panellist at the National Bargaining Council for the Chemical Industry, the Bargaining Council for Freight and Logistics, and the General Public Services Sectoral Bargaining Council.

In 2001, he formed Farisanani and Associates (Pty) Ltd, an employee relations consulting firm that he continues to lead.

He chaired the Department of Trade and Industry’s Collective Bargaining Forum until 2019.

His expertise includes dispute resolution; process facilitation, including wage negotiations and retrenchments; workplace investigations; and the chairing of disciplinary enquiries.
He is also an accredited family law mediator and a RAF Rule 41A mediator.
He is currently the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of one of the most successful Nursing Agencies in South Africa..