Gender disparity continues to impact the majority of key growth sectors within the country, but there is one rapidly developing sector where women are not only leading the field, but finding new ways to advance. Global Business Services (GBS) has taken root in South Africa, with Concentrix – a global technology and services leader – ensuring this remains a space for women to find employment, upskill, and move on to leadership roles.
“One of the company’s core values is a commitment to uplifting those from underserved communities, not just through employment, but by supporting them with opportunities for career advancement. A way in which this is achieved is by empowering women in the sector with leadership skills to adapt and thrive,” explained Catherine Kalamaras, Growth Enablement Director from Concentrix. “While we celebrate Women’s Month and the role it plays in highlighting the need for gender parity, we want to celebrate women throughout the year. Women who are making strides, who have succeeded in their roles, and are working towards even bigger things.”
In recent years, South Africa has become a hub for GBS, creating thousands of job opportunities for those with no previous experience. The reason for South Africa’s sector value is the significant cost savings and skilled English-speaking workforce, as well as its favourable time zone which aligns with key European and Middle Eastern markets.
Two Concentrix employees – Mariam Amod and Yolanda Langa – have graduated from the Amara Leadership Programme run by BPESA (Business Process Enabling South Africa). This is the country’s foremost advocate and contact point for the Global Business Services (GBS) and BPO sector.
Reshni Singh, CEO of BPESA, explained that while women make up approximately 70% of the BPO workforce in South Africa, only 30% hold managerial roles: “This gender disparity not only hinders individual career growth but also limits the industry’s overall potential for innovation and success. By offering targeted training and mentorship opportunities – such as the Amara Leadership Programme – we can bridge this gap by empowering women to overcome barriers, amplify their voices, and establish strong personal brands in the workplace.”
The carefully curated programme, which includes modules such as Personal Mastery, Be Heard, Personal Branding & Networking, Mindful Resilience, Navigating Corporate Politics, and Mentorship, equips women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in this demanding industry.
Commenting on her involvement in the programme, Mariam Amod said, “Participating in the Amara Leadership Programme impacted my professional and personal growth. It provided me with invaluable insight into my current and future roles. Through the workshops and training, I gained confidence in my leadership abilities and learned how to inspire and motivate others in a much more caring and professional manner. The programme also connected me with a network of like-minded women, fostering new perspectives. Overall, it was life-changing for me as the programme led me to see the world in a different light.”
Concentrix partnered with Stellenbosch University to enroll female employees in the Leadership Acceleration Programme (LAP) run by The Networking Company, with the objective of creating even further opportunities for women in the sector. Centred on four pillars – leadership development, personal development, business skills, and coaching and mentoring – successful applicants are well-positioned to attain leadership positions in the industry.
Between 2020 and 2022, when the economy had been hardest hit by the pandemic, the programme had 29 Concentrix graduates, 53% of whom were women. Thirteen of these graduates were promoted to leadership roles including operations managers, operations directors, a Head of Operation Training, a Management Development Consultant, and a Senior Risk & Compliance Manager – the majority of whom were women.
“We will work to continue to find ways to advance the most underserved members of our community through leadership programmes, and open the industry to as many women and youth as possible,” noted Kalamaris.
