Training that transforms

In Africa, professional training is often reduced to an event – a single day in a boardroom, punctuated by PowerPoint slides, awkward role plays and passive participation. Mark Janse van Rensburg, MD of Kwelanga Training, believes it should be more than that. ‘Learning should be an experience;

an opportunity to reflect, connect and transform,’ he says.

The benefits of corporate training are well known, but it’s worth revisiting some of the research. A widely quoted global survey by Gallup found that companies are 17% more productive and 21% more profitable when they offer training to engaged employees; while recent research by LinkedIn Learning showed that 94% of employees would stay longer at a company that invests in their development. That in itself should be sufficient ROI on training investment considering the cost of recruitment and onboarding, as well as the benefit of high-performing employees.

Kwelanga Training sessions transform ordinary teams into empowered, connected collaborators

Those global numbers align with Kwelanga Training’s experience in Africa. ‘Since opening our doors in 2007, we have trained thousands of professionals across industries,’ according to Janse van Rensburg. ‘Our approach has always been people-first, purpose-led and results-oriented. We know that learning isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about confidence, behaviour and real change.’

By ‘real change’, he means more than just behaviour change. ‘It sparks cultural transformation,’ he explains. ‘We have seen toxic teams turn into trusted partnerships. We’ve seen hesitant managers grow into role models. We have seen graduates become confident contributors.

‘Our clients often tell us, “your training is different”. That’s because it’s designed not just to inform, but to transform.’

And while many training providers still believe success in training is measured by attendance and certificates, Kwelanga Training’s results prove otherwise. ‘We’ve learned that true success lies in what happens after the course,’ he says. ‘Does the learner act differently? Does the manager notice a shift? Does the business improve? This is where most training fails – and where we have chosen to lead.’

Kwelanga Training specialises in leadership development, communication, sales and service, personal effectiveness, and business administration. And – as Janse van Rensburg emphasises – its focus is on the people in the room. ‘We start by making learning human,’ he says. ‘Our facilitators don’t lecture; they engage. They bring humour, insight, real-life experience and empathy into every session.

‘Whether it’s a group of managers in Johannesburg or graduates in East London, we connect with learners where they are. Then, we make it relevant. Each session includes real-world examples from the learners’ environments. Delegates practise, debate, reflect and challenge themselves. They don’t just leave with a manual; they leave with a mindset shift.’

The final step is all about the results. ‘We use action plans, manager check-ins, post-course coaching and digital tools to help learners apply what they have gained,’ says Janse van Rensburg. ‘We track it. We report it. We build on it. This is why customisation and adaptation for group training is vital to the successful outcomes of the solution.’

That philosophy forms the basis of Kwelanga Training’s Learning Discovery Pathway. ‘That’s our roadmap to crafting a training solution that meets our clients’ specific needs and goals,’ he says. ‘Through a collaborative process, we will craft a personalised learning journey that implements the 70-20-10 training model, which integrates experiential learning [70%] with social learning [20%] and formal training [10%]. This ensures your team gains the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed.’

The Learning Discovery Pathway is Kwelanga Training’s signature design process. ‘No two companies are the same, so why should training be? We meet with your team, understand your goals, analyse your needs, and co-create a solution,’ he says.

Structured training sessions equip teams with the skills, confidence and strategies that drive measurable business performance

This engagement might include a training needs analysis, stakeholder interviews, learner surveys, customised content, and a roll-out strategy with coaching and reinforcement. ‘We don’t arrive with a slide deck,’ says Janse van Rensburg. ‘We arrive with questions, because the best solutions come from listening.’

Kwelanga Training’s flagship programmes include the First-Line Management Development programme (FMDP), powered by the GC Index. Delivered over three to six months, it includes workshops, coaching and post-course reflection.

‘First-line management isn’t easy,’ notes Janse van Rensburg. ‘Our FMDP equips new managers with the mindset, behaviours and skillset to lead people, give feedback, build trust and manage performance.’

Complementing the FMDP is Kwelanga Training’s Graduate Development programme, which bridges the gap between graduates’ potential and their lack of workplace readiness by equipping them with communication, personal branding, collaboration and ownership for results.

‘Our newest programme, which launched in September 2025, is called 10 Steps to Sales Success,’ adds Janse van Rensburg. ‘It’s not sales training; it is a journey. Learners explore prospecting, solution positioning, ROI conversations, handling objections, and closing. And it’s personalised, using the GC Index to align each salesperson’s natural inclinations strengths to their selling style.’

In a continent as dynamic as Africa, it is the so-called ‘soft’ skills that create resilience, innovation and leadership. The Kwelanga Training team calls them power skills.

‘Communication, emotional intelligence, conflict management, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management… These are the skills that help people lead, serve and collaborate,’ says Janse van Rensburg. ‘When learners grow in these areas, their careers take off and the business benefits.’

As Africa’s economies evolve, the need for adaptive, emotionally intelligent and resilient workforces is only growing. ‘Kwelanga is committed to being part of that future,’ according to Janse van Rensburg.

‘We are exploring digital coaching, gamified learning and AI integration – but always with the human connection at the core. Because at the heart of every organisation is a person. And when that person grows, so does the business.’