City a model of women empowerment at Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Conference
25 June 2026
The City of Cape Town's commitment to advancing women in leadership, innovation and public service was highlighted today, 25 June 2026, when Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys, delivered the keynote address at the Cape Town leg of the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Conference. The conference, themed "Empowering Women Through Leadership, Innovation and Opportunity", brought together more than 200 women for a day of inspiration, learning and networking. The event concluded with the EmpowHER Pitching Den, where 10 pre-selected entrepreneurs from a range of sectors pitched their business ideas to a panel of industry experts for an opportunity to advance to the national stage of the competition.
‘It was an honour to address and engage with so many women entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals and aspiring changemakers this morning. The City of Cape Town is committed to the progress of women across all of its more than 30 000 employees, and our aim as an employer of choice is to recognise merit and reward it with supportive career programmes. This commitment is reflected in our leadership structures, where women continue to occupy key decision-making roles, including Alderman Xanthea Limberg, who heads the Energy Directorate, Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, and myself as Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services. We are also fortunate to have strong female leadership in the offices of Speaker of Council, Alderman Felicity Purchase, and Chief Whip Councillor Desiree Visagie,’ said Alderman Theresa Uys.
‘Empowerment is often spoken about as though it is something that can be given. But true empowerment is created when opportunity meets potential. It happens when a young woman receives her first internship, when an entrepreneur secures her first customer and when organisations create environments where women are able to thrive, innovate and succeed,’ added Alderman Uys, while citing the City's Digital Internship Programme, where female participation increased from approximately 50% in 2023 to 65% in 2025, demonstrating growing interest among young women in technology and innovation.
‘We have already been given some great examples of women leaders at the City of Cape Town. Use what you have heard in this room as an entry point. Find those connection points. When you are speaking, people are looking for personal narratives. Own your story. Your best stories lie in your flaws and failures. Find the lessons in the failures and tell that story. If you are okay with things not being okay, then you are okay. Fail forward,’ said World Champion of Public Speaking, Verity Price, motivating delegates to embrace their authentic voices and personal stories.
The founder of Shopaholic, Tarynne Keown Rajh, shared lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, encouraging women to remain resilient and focused despite challenges.
The conference concluded with the EmpowHER Pitching Den, where 10 pre-selected entrepreneurs from sectors including automotive, beauty, wellness, handmade goods and consulting pitched their businesses to a panel of industry experts.
Cape Town launched the first leg of the national programme, where the pitching competition was won by entrepreneur Lesego Seloane of Ronewa Creations, a business specialising in landscaping and green services. The programme continues in KwaZulu-Natal on 28 July and Gauteng on 21 August. Three regional winners will each receive R50 000 and advance to the National Top Women Conference in September. The 2026 Top Women EmpowHER Champion will be crowned at the Top Women Awards on 3 December 2026, with the national winner receiving the prestigious Top Women Trophy and an additional R100 000 cash prize.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
