Edition September 2025

The SABS is the country’s official standards authority that plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality, safety, and competitiveness of products and services. It develops, promotes and maintains South African National Standards (SANS), while also providing testing, certification and technical services to both industry and government. 

Through its rigorous standardisation and conformity assessment processes, the SABS safeguards consumer interests, supports export readiness and contributes to broader economic growth. 

In a recent interview with the Public Sector Manager magazine, Tyobeka explained that “from an economic perspective, this work plays a critical role. Products manufactured in South Africa that carry SABS certification enjoy greater credibility and acceptance in international markets. This facilitates smoother export processes and assures trading partners of the products’ quality and safety.”

Without recognised certification, particularly from an institution like the SABS, local manufacturers would face significant barriers in exporting their goods. 

Inclusive economic growth

The SABS also plays a crucial role in verifying local content in major projects, especially those involving international firms operating in South Africa. “In line with preferential procurement legislation, a certain percentage of such projects,  often 30% or more, must be dedicated to local participation,” Tyobeka explained.

By auditing and certifying local content, the SABS helps ensure that local suppliers, manufacturers and workers benefit from large-scale developments. This contributes meaningfully to inclusive economic growth and local empowerment.

SABS approval provides consumers with assurance of the quality, safety and reliability of a product or service. Importantly, the SABS stamp helps ensure legal compliance with national manufacturing, safety and quality regulations.

Stabilising leadership

In his new role, Tyobeka has highlighted stabilising the leadership and governance structures of the SABS. His appointment comes after a few years of turbulence at the SABS, particularly over the past five to seven years. 

This included the placing of the organisation under administration. During that time, there was no permanent chief executive officer (CEO), and the board was dissolved.

A new board was eventually appointed but could not fulfill its mandate, including the appointment of a CEO, resulting in the organisation operating without consistent executive leadership. 

“This, inevitably, has hindered the organisation’s ability to function optimally. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has fulfilled his role by appointing a full board. Now, it is our responsibility to ensure that a permanent CEO is appointed and that the executive leadership team is fully staffed,” said Tyobeka.

Once stable leadership is in place, Tyobeka said the board would step back and allow management space to implement the organisation’s strategy while holding it accountable through effective oversight.

Financial sustainability

“Another critical task is approving a new strategy that will include restoring the financial sustainability of the SABS and rebuilding the credibility of the SABS mark. The SABS stamp once carried considerable weight as a symbol of quality in South Africa, but the public’s trust has eroded. Regaining that trust is a key focus,” he explained.

He added that the institution was also dealing with significant internal disharmony between management and labour unions, as well as a great deal of dissatisfaction within the organisation.

Addressing these challenges is important to him because he believes that a demoralised workforce cannot deliver optimal performance. “We must address the root causes of this unhappiness and foster a working environment where unions and management collaborate to help the SABS fulfil its mandate,” he said. 

Board oversight

Tyobeka's key responsibilities as chairperson include ensuring that the SABS board functions as the governing authority of the organisation. 

“We ensure that strategies are properly implemented and that organisational performance aligns with approved objectives. We also approve the Annual Performance Plan, monitor the organisation’s progress and evaluate its outcomes,” he explained. 

Tyobeka’s appointment became effective in June 2025, and will run for a five-year term. He brings scientific rigour, international experience and managerial depth to the task of restoring the institution’s credibility and strategic direction.

He describes himself as both a scientist and an engineer, holding qualifications in radiation science and nuclear engineering.

Over the course of his career, Tyobeka worked extensively in nuclear design, engineering, safety and power generation. The nuclear sector has shaped most of his professional life. He is also the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the North-West University. 

Public service

Tyobeka views public servants as fundamental role-players in the day-to-day functioning of the country. 

“While South Africa has a strong private sector, we also rely heavily on the public sector to deliver essential services. Public servants are, in many ways, the engine of our economy,” he said. 

If each public servant did the minimum of what they are paid for, South Africa would be a happier, better-functioning society".