Vikashnee Harbhajan - Executive Director

Vikashnee Harbhajan has held senior positions in both the public and private sector, has a Master’s degree in law and is an admitted Attorney and Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa.

She commenced her career at the University of Durban–Westville and Technikon Mangosuthu in the faculties of Law and served her articles with the Legal Aid Board. Ms Harbhajan also practiced as an attorney for her own account and served at the Free State Department of Education as Director: Legal Services and Labour Relations, before taking up a position with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) as the Programme Director.

She then joined Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), the national voice of organised business in SA where she served as Executive Director responsible for Social Policy for over four years.  Her portfolio at BUSA included inter alia labour market policy, education, training, skills, health, immigration, social security and anti – corruption. In her role, she represented SA business at various platforms. Her role at BUSA gave her the opportunity to be part of a business delegation that engaged with key Government leaders, Labour federations and the Community constituency.  

Vikashnee has acquired expertise in the key areas of leadership and executive management, strategic and operational planning, advocacy and lobbying, project management, stakeholder negotiations and networking, knowledge of corporate governance and the ability to deal with diverse interests.

She has also gained experience on several Boards and Councils, including the National Board for Further Education and Training (NBFET), Advisory Council for Occupational Health and Safety (ACOHS), the South African Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS Board (SABCOHA), Wholesale and Retail SETA Board (WRSETA) and was a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD).

Vikashnee currently serves on the Essential Services Committee (ESC).