TEACH South Africa participates in Take a Girl Child to Work initiative

TEACH South Africa teamed up with one of its funders, the Old Mutual Foundation, for this year’s Take a Girl Child to Work initiative.

Fifteen Grade 11 learners from Eden Park Secondary School, one of the schools on the TEACH South Africa programme, were invited to Old Mutual’s Head Office in Sandton on Thursday 19 August.

The girls spent the day with Old Mutual employees in various roles and occupations where they received career advice and exposure to the work environment.

Liyanda Maseko, Education Programme Manager at the Old Mutual Foundation, said, “By getting involved in the Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative, Old Mutual is showing its commitment [to] the growth and development of women in our business.

We are exposing our young women leaders of the future to opportunities and resources.” She went on to add that, “[Old Mutual] provides them with opportunities where they will be exposed to positive role models and more career options. The more diverse the better.”

The girls spent the day in various departments across the organisation including finance, IT, foundation markets, events and marketing.

Darlington Chamburuka, an Old Mutual actuary, spent the day with Lindokuhle Nkwanyane and Nadine Greef.

“We discussed their career options and I also gave them small tasks to do,” Chamburuka said. “They are doing well and understand what it is [that] I do.”

The learners said they were happy to get exposure to the organisation. Jodine Daniels said she had “learned so many great things and I would love to come and work here one day.”

Terry-Anne Oliphant reiterated the sentiments of her classmates, adding that the experience was a “reality check on how the corporate world works.”

She went on to add that “some of the people working here don’t only do it for the money; they have passion [for what they do].”

Mamela Thomas, an Old Mutual employee, said the experience was “exciting… [I]was touched by the kids and their backgrounds and what they want to become.”

“Not only does this exposure widen learners’ career scope of reference, it also gives them the confidence to ask questions and learn more about the world of work, [thereby enhancing] their practical
intelligence,” said Vuyiswa Ncontsa, TEACH South Africa Programme Head.