Take a Girl Child to Work - successful for 10th year

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Danette Breitenbach

Late last week saw the 10th anniversary of Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day, which has become one of the country's biggest collaborative acts of volunteerism. Themed 'Choose your tomorrow, today', 400 companies around South Africa registered to be part of the day and provide girls in grades 10, 11 and 12 with the opportunity to experience the working world.

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PR and Communications agency, Kaelo Engage, invited Hlengiwe Sithole, a Grade 8 learner from Mncube High School in Soweto, for an educational day of learning and mentorship.

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Cell C hosted 60 learners, 20 of whom were from Eastbank High School in Alexandra, welcomed by Cell C CEO, Alan Knott-Craig. Two girls also got to spend the day with him to get first-hand experience of what it takes to be the CEO of a major company.

They also attended an event, hosted by Cell C, where Nicky Newton-King, CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange addressed them and various influential women in the public and private sector.

Educational day of learning and mentorship

"About 50 000 girls visited companies, NGOs and government departments throughout the country on the day," says Mercia Maserumule, Cell C's CSI manager.

Sandton based PR, communications agency, Kaelo Engage, invited Hlengiwe Sithole, a Grade 8 learner from Mncube High School in Soweto, for an educational day of learning, and mentorship as part of the initiative. The agency showcased a wide range of career opportunities to Hlengiwe, including expertise in social responsibility, brand, sports and sponsorship communications.