SASSA Empowers Women Leaders with Bold Skills Development Initiative

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender transformation and professional development with the launch of the fourth intake of its Women in Leadership Development Programme. The launch took place on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, at the Regenesys Campus in Sandton.

The initiative will see 120 female middle and senior managers from SASSA undergo a six-month programme designed to equip them with strategic leadership skills, people management techniques, emotional intelligence, and tools for effective decision-making. The programme targets young and emerging women leaders to help them thrive and lead with confidence within the public service.

SASSA CEO Mr. Themba Matlou delivered the keynote address, highlighting the agency’s deliberate drive to empower its female workforce.

“It is not a favour what we are doing, but an obligation on our part as leadership to empower our staff, in particular women emancipation,” said Matlou. He noted that while SASSA has made strides in achieving gender representation at junior levels, there is a visible decline at middle and senior management.

“SASSA is working to ensure that representation is achieved at all levels in the organisation and I am committed to ensuring representation at the senior levels,” he said.

Matlou stressed that developing internal leadership is not only a human resource imperative but also a strategy for improving service delivery, one of the agency’s core objectives.

“When staff are empowered and well-trained, the customer experience improves. This is directly tied to our strategic goal of improving service delivery to the people of South Africa,” he added.

Dr. Sibongiseni Kumalo, Academic Dean at Regenesys, welcomed the cohort with words of encouragement and a commitment to support them throughout their learning journey. “There will be a strong element of action in this programme. We will be here to support you and ensure you succeed,” he said.

Dr. William Vivian, Director of Corporate Education at Regenesys, added: “We want to create a cognitive shift. With this type of collaboration, we should be able to make a real difference in the lives of our people.”

In closing, Mr. Matlou praised the participants as trailblazers. “Your participation signals a bold step towards gender equality and a brighter future for all. Let us work together to break down traditional barriers and create environments where women’s leadership is not the exception but the norm,” he said.

The programme is expected to play a key role in strengthening leadership capacity within SASSA while reinforcing the agency’s broader mission to reduce poverty and deliver quality social services to the nation.