City highlights investment in women leaders to strengthen public service

07 August 2026

The 2nd Annual Women in Government Conference, hosted by Spectacular Training & Conferences at the Cape Sun Hotel on Thursday, 6 August 2026, convened senior leaders from local, provincial and national government, academia and the private sector to explore how inclusive leadership, digital transformation and organisational resilience are shaping the future of public service. The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys, delivered the keynote address, Strategic Modernisation: Navigating Systemic Change in Public Service, highlighting the importance of innovation, technology and people-centred leadership in creating a more responsive and effective public sector.

‘Modernisation is about people. It is about creating better opportunities, improving service delivery and building organisations that are more responsive, inclusive and capable of meeting the needs of a changing world,’ said Alderman Theresa Uys.

The 2nd Annual Women in Government Conference provided a platform for women leaders to share experiences, address workplace challenges and discuss practical approaches to strengthening leadership in the public sector.

Delegates also heard about the impact of innovation in government, including the City’s Corporate Application Refresh (CAR) Programme, an AI-powered HR chatbot called PEXA, expanded digital access through SmartCape in public libraries and ongoing digital skills training for residents.

The conference also explored how women are redefining the future of public service, positioning budgets as powerful tools to transform women’s experiences of government, while addressing gender discrimination and examining how women can navigate power, influence, and partnerships within government structures.

‘Leadership is not built on success alone. It is shaped by the challenges we overcome, the failures we learn from and the resilience we develop along the way. Failures are stepping stones that enable us to grow, adapt and continue moving forward. The discussions also highlighted that effective leadership requires us to remain human; to lead with empathy, authenticity and an understanding of the people we serve and work alongside,’ said Chuma Fani, the Public Governance Consultant who facilitated an interactive leadership session titled: The Leadership Blueprint - Failures, Pivots, and Triumphs.

As the country commemorates Women’s Month this August, the discussions at the conference served as a reminder that empowering women extends beyond representation. It is about creating opportunities, strengthening institutions and building workplaces where talent, innovation and leadership can thrive.

‘For the City of Cape Town, investing in the growth and advancement of women is an investment in stronger governance, improved service delivery and a more inclusive future for all residents,’ concluded Alderman Uys.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office