Postdoctoral fellows from the Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) in the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) recently participated in a wellness social day that combined professional development with recreational activities to strengthen collaboration, build meaningful relationships and promote wellbeing among researchers.

Organised by the IOP Wellbeing Committee in collaboration with the IOP Wellbeing Climate Survey Stream, the initiative was informed by recommendations from Unisa's 2024 Climate Survey, which highlighted the value of informal engagement in creating a healthy and productive workplace.

The event provided an opportunity for fellows, many of whom were meeting in person for the first time, to connect beyond their research projects. The day began with coffee and networking, followed by a formal welcome from Mmehela Kumbi, Chair of the Departmental Wellbeing Committee and co-organiser of the event. She encouraged colleagues to use the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen relationships that would support both their personal wellbeing and academic collaboration. "Our goal was to create a space where colleagues could collaborate, build lasting relationships and reinforce a culture of wellbeing, partnership, and mutual support. Strong academic communities begin with strong human connections", said Kumbi.

Busisiwe Mahlangu, Coordinator of the Departmental Wellbeing Climate Survey Stream, explained that the initiative was designed to create a space where colleagues could engage as people before engaging as researchers. She noted that meaningful professional partnerships are often built on trust, mutual understanding and authentic human connection, aligning the event with the department's 2026 wellbeing targets, which prioritise psychological safety, peer support and social wellbeing. "We wanted to create an opportunity for colleagues to connect beyond their professional roles. Strong workplaces are built on meaningful relationships, and by fostering trust, social connection and psychological safety, we are investing in the well-being of our people and the future of our department," said Mahlangu.

Participants also attended an interactive session facilitated by industrial psychologist Vuyani Muleya, who explored the concept of systems psychodynamics within teams. He encouraged the postdoctoral fellows to authorise themselves to contribute confidently, even when working in complex organisational environments that may present uncertainty and competing demands.

Drawing on practical examples, Muleya explained how external influences, including major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the country's socio-political environment, can shape how individuals experience and respond to the workplace. He emphasised that understanding these broader systems is essential for building resilience, improving collaboration and supporting individual wellbeing.

The Chair of the Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Dr Betty Maphala, encouraged the fellows to embrace a collaborative mindset, remain open to learning from one another and contribute to the continuous growth of the department. She highlighted that research excellence is strengthened when colleagues work together in an environment characterised by trust, inclusion and shared purpose. Maphala said, "A high-performing department is built on more than academic excellence; it is built on strong relationships, mutual respect, and a culture of wellbeing. Events such as this strengthen the connections that enable us to collaborate effectively, support one another, and continue making meaningful contributions to the university and society."

The programme concluded with an afternoon of golf lessons, during which participants of all experience levels took to the course. The activity created an informal setting in which colleagues exchanged ideas, encouraged one another and developed stronger personal and professional connections. Laughter, conversation and teamwork replaced the usual pressures associated with research deadlines and academic publishing, reinforcing the value of wellbeing initiatives within the academic environment.

By the end of the day, what had begun as a wellness activity had evolved into an opportunity to build lasting research relationships and a stronger sense of community among the department's postdoctoral fellows. Many participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with colleagues outside the traditional workplace and voiced support for similar initiatives in the future.

The wellness social day demonstrates the Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology's commitment to implementing the recommendations of Unisa's 2024 Climate Survey by creating opportunities that strengthen social cohesion, collaboration and employee wellbeing. As the department continues to advance its wellbeing agenda, initiatives such as these highlight that successful research is driven not only by academic excellence but also by the meaningful relationships that support it.

* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Science