Article re-cap
- The City of Cape Town and CapeBPO have launched a three month pilot of the Leadership Excellence Programme.
- The Business Process Outsourcing sector created 11,496 jobs during the 2025/26 financial year.
- The programme is funded by the City of Cape Town and administered by CapeBPO.
- This initiative focuses on developing high potential team leaders through workshops, mentoring, and practical application.
The City of Cape Town and CapeBPO have launched the Leadership Excellence Programme to strengthen the industry's leadership pipeline through a three-month pilot.
Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, announced that 11,496 jobs were created in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector during the 2025/26 financial year. The new programme is funded by the City of Cape Town and administered by CapeBPO.
The pilot group includes high-potential team leaders identified by their organisations as future operational leaders. The initiative focuses on leading self, leading teams, leading metrics, and leading clients through workshops, mentoring, and practical application.
“The Leadership Excellence Programme addresses a critical part of strengthening Cape Town’s BPO value proposition,” said Alderman Vos. “We are moving beyond entry-level skills development to investing in the next generation of industry leaders.”
CapeBPO CEO Clayton Williams stated that leadership is a primary driver of sustainable growth in the industry. He noted that the programme aims to equip senior staff with the strategic mindset and practical skills required for career advancement.
The initiative supports the sector's ability to attract international investment by ensuring local talent grows alongside the industry. According to Alderman Vos, many of the recently created jobs are located in communities where employment is most needed.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs were created in Cape Town's BPO sector during 2025/26?
According to Alderman James Vos, 11,496 jobs were created in the Business Process Outsourcing sector during the 2025/26 financial year. Many of these positions are located in communities where employment is most needed.
What is the Leadership Excellence Programme and who is it for?
The Leadership Excellence Programme is a three-month pilot launched by the City of Cape Town and CapeBPO. It targets high-potential team leaders identified by their organisations as future operational leaders, focusing on leading self, leading teams, leading metrics, and leading clients.
Who is funding and administering the Leadership Excellence Programme?
The programme is funded by the City of Cape Town and administered by CapeBPO, the industry body. It aims to strengthen the BPO sector's leadership pipeline and support sustainable growth in the industry.
How does this programme support Cape Town's economy?
By investing in next-generation industry leaders rather than entry-level skills, the programme strengthens Cape Town's BPO value proposition and helps attract international investment by ensuring local talent develops alongside the growing sector.
Source: cbn.co.za, investcapetown.com
