At Kwelanga Training, our latest data reveals four standout courses that South African professionals and organisations couldn’t get enough of over the past year.

The Top 4 Most In-Demand Soft Skills (2024-2025)

1. Emotional Intelligence (EI)
2. Email Etiquette & Professional Communication
3. Presentation & Public Speaking Skills
4. Customer Service

Together, these four skills accounted for 22% of all delegate attendance at Kwelanga Training in the past year – a clear indication of what skills are critical right now.

Why These Skills Matter

• Emotional Intelligence (EI) → Navigating diverse, remote, and hybrid teams requires empathy, self-awareness, and strong communication. In fact, 90% of top performers possess high EI (TalentSmart).
• Email Etiquette & Professional Communication → In an era of remote work and digital-first communication, how you write = how you’re perceived.
• Presentation Skills → It’s not just about speaking confidently – it’s about storytelling, influence, and getting buy-in.
• Customer Service → In today’s competitive market, exceptional customer service is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s a must-have. Organisations are investing in customer service training to empower their teams to handle challenging situations, communicate effectively, and create memorable customer experiences that drive loyalty and trust.

What’s Next? Emerging Soft Skills Trends for 2025

Companies are doubling down on skills that align with evolving workplace needs. Here’s what’s shaping the future of soft skills training:

• Digital Fluency with a Human Touch – While technology is advancing, human connection remains key. Employees must balance digital proficiency with emotional intelligence and adaptability. How prepared are you to navigate this balance?
• Leadership Development – More businesses are promoting from within, increasing the need for leadership skills like critical thinking, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making. Are you equipping yourself with the skills to lead?
• Diversity & Inclusion Training – In South Africa’s multicultural workforce, companies are prioritising inclusion and cultural awareness training to build stronger, more cohesive teams. How does your organisation foster an inclusive environment?
• Customer-Centric Skills – Organisations are focusing on service excellence, active listening, and empathy to enhance client interactions and customer satisfaction. Are you providing an exceptional customer experience?
• Gamified & Interactive Learning – Engaging, experiential training methods are on the rise, catering to the modern learner’s preference for interactive education. Would you prefer a learning experience that feels less like training and more like an interactive challenge?

To support this interactive approach, we’re excited to introduce MyQuest – a dynamic learning platform we’ll soon be using for our First-Line Manager Development Programme (FMDP). MyQuest allows learners to access course materials, complete interactive activities, and engage with facilitators and peers – all within an interactive, user-friendly environment. You’ll be able to explore the platform, participate in discussions, and take full advantage of all available resources.

Curious to see what it looks like? Check out our demo experience here.

The Case for Early Adoption

A 2024 PwC study found that 77% of South African CEOs consider a lack of essential skills a major business challenge. The World Economic Forum further predicts that by 2030, soft skills will surpass technical skills in importance. Companies that invest early in upskilling their teams will lead the way in innovation and productivity.

So, where does your team stand? Are you ahead of the curve, or are skill gaps holding back growth?

How Kwelanga Training Can Help

At Kwelanga Training, we specialise in instructor-led soft skills training designed to meet the unique needs of South African businesses. Whether your organisation needs customer service training for frontline staff or leadership development for future managers, we provide tailored learning experiences that drive real impact.

We also offer a FREE Training Needs Analysis Tool to help you identify and address skill gaps, ensuring maximum return on investment. Have you assessed your team’s training needs yet?

Flexible Learning Options: Virtual and Regional Face-to-Face Training

We understand that businesses have different training preferences, which is why we offer:

• Public Virtual Courses – Live, interactive online training that allows professionals to upskill from anywhere.
• Regional Face-to-Face Public Courses – In-person training held at venues across South Africa, providing hands-on learning experiences and valuable networking opportunities.

“We’re seeing an increase in requests to conduct our soft skills courses in-person. Which certainly also supports the trends we are seeing with companies requesting their staff to return to the office. Work from home is not going away, but business is realising the importance of in person engagement and the value it adds to company culture and communication. Many of the soft skills that are popular depend on inter-personal engagement. It’s been proven that this is best done face to face.” – Daniel Steyn, Kwelanga Integrator

The future of work belongs to those who can combine technical expertise with powerful human skills. Is your team ready to lead in 2025?

Explore Kwelanga’s Training Solutions or feel free to reach out for further guidance.