A day at Enterprises UP gives young learners hope for the future

Issued by Enterprises University of Pretoria

8 Jun 2018

Cell C's Take a Girl Child to Work Day® has become one of the most important, life changing days for school girls around the country. The much-lauded initiative has had a powerful impact on the lives of more than a million girls, preparing a core of future women leaders who will be vibrant contributors to the economy and leading job creators for our country - Cell C

The Phelindaba High School learners and their Life Orientation teacher, Ms Tebogo Mohlala visit Enterprises UP

Enterprises University of Pretoria (Enterprises UP) recently hosted 10 Grade 10 to 12 girl learners from Phelindaba High School in Atteridgeville, accompanied by their Life Orientation teacher, Ms Tebogo Mohlala as part of the annual Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day® initiative. The young learners were each assigned a mentor with whom they spent a portion of the day, learning about the different occupation possibilities ranging from software development to journalism.

The learners started off their day with a warm welcome by Enterprises UP’s CEO, Mr Deon Herbst and the executive management team. The learners further experienced a day in the workplace, exposing them to the different career paths available to them, including vocational paths that they may have never explored before. Among their activities for the day was a tour to the University of Pretoria as well as the Tuks FM studios. The tours roused some interest from the learners who were inspired to dream beyond their gender-specific careers by exploring new and exciting career possibilities.

Simphiwe Masango, a Grade 10 learner who had been hoping to go into a career of journalism showed a particularly enterprising spirit. Her ultimate ambition was to become a freelance journalist. “My idea of the career I was hoping to follow, and the reality, were two different things. I have learned that I will have to put in a lot of work to get to where I want to be,” said Masango.

Speaking about the overall experience, Ms Mohlala was especially happy that her students had the opportunity to see day-to-day operations in the workplace. “I think the face-to-face sessions and interaction with mentors was the most important part of the day. We are limited in what we can expose students to and it is great for them to be able to get all of their job-specific questions answered. The tour to the University was especially exciting for the Grade 12 learners who are set to begin their tertiary studies next year,” she explains.

To end their very eventful day, Mr Herbst presented the learners with certificates and encouraged them to “grow to become responsible young women who make a positive contribution to our society and economy.”

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Having played a profound part in the history of South Africa for more than 100 years, the University of Pretoria boasts a lasting legacy that endures through a cluster of innovative and multidisciplinary services rendered through Enterprises University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd.