Common Purpose South Africa delivers transformative leadership experiences for individuals and organizations who want to make a difference in their worlds, and the world around them
"Common Purpose has partnered with us on a range of programmes for the bank, including our NGO leadership network. Common Purpose is always open to co-creating a programme that truly fits the place, system and people, and is therefore able to deliver initiatives that deliver on some of the most subtle of outcomes."
"The programme has given me an insight into myself and I believe it will help me to lead in a more effective way. The lessons learnt will be translated to my work, professional space, and personal and interpersonal relationships."
A game-changing experiential global leadership programme for senior leaders from business, government, and social sectors as they transition to become global leaders, both at work and in society.
Who is this for?
Senior leaders and executives
A ground-breaking experience for senior leaders looking to better collaborate across boundaries to transform systems and organizations.
Who is this for?
Senior leaders from all sectors
Africa Venture brings together exceptional emerging leaders to work together to address pressing issues facing the region.
Who is this for?
High-potential leaders across Africa
Use this Kick-Start to find your way to education, employment or successful entrepreneurship.
Who is this for?
Young people
Sky Blue brings together a dynamic group of leaders from around the world, from many different fields, who have a common focus: our environment.
Who is this for?
High-potential and senior leaders from the environmental sector
Challenging young people to explore the legacy they can leave on the world.
Who is this for?
Young people (18-25 years)
Embrace the power of equity, diversity and inclusion in your decision making.
Purpose driven organizations outperform and outlast. Let us help you prepare your people and organization to navigate change and uncertainty with renewed conviction.
Work to drive change towards more equitable, inclusive and sustainable organizations and society by igniting the impact of women in leadership.
Empower yourself and your team to become change ready in an ever more disruptive world.
Explore our award-winning student programmes and discover our expertise in developing university staff.
Discover how we can help students prepare to live and work in a fast, fluid and disrupted world.
In a global world where problems cross borders between cultures, we need leaders who can cross those boundaries.
Joyce Sarpong
In this episode, Adirupa Sengupta sits down with renowned business leader, author, campaigner and influencer Paul Polman.
programmes delivered over 30+ years
people have participated in a Common Purpose programme
reported the programme they took part in was good value for time
You can also contact us at +27 (0)72 751 8540 (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Elsbeth is the Chief Executive Officer, Common Purpose South Africa and heads the operations of Common Purpose in Africa. With the local team, she has grown the African footprint of Common Purpose by diversifying the programmes offered to include public and bespoke leadership programmes, as well as programmes focusing on youth, student and women’s leadership, spreading the footprint of Common Purpose into 21 countries. Elsbeth believes that good leadership is the most powerful way to transform the future of the African continent.
Elsbeth has designed and facilitated leadership and diversity programmes for a wide range of clients, from rural communities to blue chip corporates, from global foundations to government departments, and has delivered programmes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Africa. Elsbeth started her career as a scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, before moving to Adcorp, in the private sector, to run the Technology Top 100 Awards Programme. She then co-founded the Da Vinci Institute, a private university specialising in management and leadership education, before joining Common Purpose in 2006.
Currently she is working to grow the African team of Common Purpose into a diverse group, representing the different regions of the continent, and bringing together multiple cultural perspectives to deliver powerful pan-African leadership programmes.
Born in a rural South African family, Elsbeth trained in applied mathematics and psychology, as well as counselling, coaching and group process facilitation. She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Cambridge University, UK and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Executive Development Programme.
When she is not exercising her passion for facilitating the growth journeys of her clients, Elsbeth is a dedicated road-runner, an avid sports fan across many disciplines, and finding her way thoughtfully into the role of mother of adult children.
