Stellenbosch, South Africa, has recently emerged as the country's tech powerhouse. Picture: File
Stellenbosch has recently emerged as the country's surprising up-and-coming technology powerhouse, boasting the highest number of tech jobs per capita.
With an average of 36 tech-related jobs for every 100,000 people, it has surpassed major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town to become a leading destination for tech talent.
The town's rise as a tech hub can be attributed to its proximity to Stellenbosch University, renowned for its engineering, computer scientists, and data analytics programs, as well as the efforts of the local municipality to foster a thriving tech ecosystem.
Stellenbosch’s commitment to becoming South Africa’s leading technology hub is further reinforced by the ongoing development of its infrastructure and the strong collaboration between the municipality, university and local businesses, ensuring a future where innovation, sustainability, and opportunity can flourish.
Stellenbosch Municipality has been instrumental in positioning the town as the leading tech hub of South Africa, with a vision of being the "Valley of Opportunity and Innovation."
Through initiatives like the development of Technopark, a vibrant technology and business hub, Stellenbosch attracts investment, supports entrepreneurs, and encourages the growth of tech-driven industries.
Its municipality has also actively contributed to enhancing Technopark’s infrastructure, security, and overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for innovative start-ups, established companies, and multinational corporations.
Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality said they are proud of the recent accolade.
“In 2015, the Technopark Special Ratings Area (SRA) was established as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) in collaboration with Stellenbosch Municipality.
"We are committed to ensuring that businesses within Technopark benefit from world-class infrastructure, effective municipal services, and a business-friendly regulatory environment.
“Stellenbosch’s reputation as a tech and innovation hub is further supported by our municipality’s commitment to good governance, investment-friendly policies and service excellence.”
Jascques Pietersen from The Technopark SRA (Special Ratings Area) explained that the hub is a non-profit.
“We have some amazing tenants in Technopark and a fair amount of start-ups in the collaborative office space provided by Workshack.co.za
“Their tenants include www.octoco.ltd and the incubator Yenza (https://www.octoco.ltd/yenza) Capitec’s head office, Dragonfly Aerospace and many more amazing tenants.”
Stellenbosch Universities Chief Director in Innovation and Commercialisation, Anita Nel, and its deputy director in Spinouts and Funds, Brandon Paschal, both agreed that Stellenbosch University (SU) plays a significant role in contributing to the reputation of Stellenbosch as an emerging technology powerhouse.
“The university’s research fosters the creation of high-tech jobs, not limited to software development. SU has been pivotal in the growth of several industries, such as space technology, AI, and biotech, with many of the companies being founded and staffed by SU alumni. The proximity of these companies to the university ensures a continuous talent pool each year.” Nel said.
Additionally, these companies frequently collaborate with SU researchers to enhance their technologies or develop specific components. SU currently boasts more than 30 spinout companies, most of which have emerged directly from university technology.
Stellenbosch’s prominence in tech job vacancies per capita can be attributed to several factors.
Dr. Martin Hinoul’s research from KU Leuven identifies the area as a Knowledge Region, where a leading research university, highly skilled individuals, major businesses, and a high quality of life converge to attract top talent in innovation, technology, and business.
“The growth trend in the tech industry seems sustainable in the long run, with the university already nurturing a portfolio of over 30 companies employing more than 400 people, the majority being tech-related.
“In addition, the LaunchLab business incubator has successfully supported numerous tech companies, including those that are not university spinouts.
“The LaunchLab’s popularity, with its long waiting list, demonstrates that the trend is not slowing down. However, continued momentum will require increased investment capital. The recent launch of the University Technology Fund II, alongside other local investors, positions Stellenbosch to continue its growth in the tech sector.
“The LaunchLab is also expanding by adding a commercial laboratory facility to accommodate the growing demand from biotechnology and health tech companies,” Paschal said.
Both Nel and Paschal, agreed that the university has been proactive in fostering collaboration between academia and the private sector in tech.
“Each year, SU spins out 3-5 new companies, translating research into market-ready solutions. The university also works closely with local companies, helping tech firms refine their products and scale. Academics are encouraged to see their inventions used in the world, and the private sector benefits from cutting-edge developments. SU regularly hosts events like Cape Agritech Connect to facilitate these industry-academic connections.” Nel said.
To prepare students for careers in the expanding local tech industry, Stellenbosch University offers top-tier academic programs consistently ranked among the top 3 in Africa.
“Beyond academics, SU provides extra-curricular activities to equip students with the skills and mindset needed for entrepreneurship.
“Founders of successful companies share their experiences with students, and the university hosts a series of workshops and bootcamps aimed at cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit.
“Additionally, SU partners with industry to organize hackathons, and for those with entrepreneurial ambitions, the university provides specialized incubation programs to help grow their ventures,” Paschal concluded.
Following closely behind Stellenbosch is Midrand, which averages 30 tech-related jobs per 100,000 people.
Multinational corporations such as Microsoft and Vodacom have established a strong presence in Midrand, cementing its status as a tech hub.
Johannesburg, home to major tech giants like Google, IBM, and Cisco, ranked third with an average of 24 tech-related jobs per 100,000 people.
While Johannesburg’s infrastructure and business opportunities make it a prime location for tech careers, its large population means that competition for these jobs is significantly higher than in smaller cities like Stellenbosch and Midrand.
The analysis, conducted by QuickBooks South Africa through a study of 16,000 job listings on Indeed, also revealed insights into the top-paying tech jobs for 2025.
Engineering Manager leads the salary ranking with an average annual pay of R840,000.
Close behind are the Senior Developer and Senior Java Developer roles, each earning an average of R813, 831 per year.
Other high-demand positions include "Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, and Data Engineer.
The study highlights that technology-related job demand in South Africa may be driven by factors such as increased internet availability, investment in digital infrastructure, and the country’s youthful population.
A spokesperson for QuickBooks South Africa explained that tech opportunities are abundant beyond major cities and often come with above-average salaries.
“Smaller cities such as Stellenbosch and Midrand offer high demand for tech talent while being more affordable than larger urban hubs, making them appealing to professionals seeking growth opportunities in a more manageable and cost-effective environment.”
The report also examined other South African cities leading in technology job vacancies per capita.
Centurion ranked fourth, while Cape Town, while ranked fifth with 19 tech jobs per 100,000 people, remaining a strong tech hub with a high concentration of startups, co-working spaces, and venture capital networks.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za