Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day – which will be held around South Africa on Thursday 25 May on Africa Day – celebrates its 15th anniversary this year by showcasing 15 top jobs.

Since its inception, the lauded initiative has given nearly one million Grade 10 to 12 South African girl learners the opportunity to visit a place of work and to experience various career opportunities available in business, industry and within the public service sectors.

In addition to the hundreds of companies, NGOs and Government departments opening their doors to girl learners on the day, 15 dynamic South African businesswomen and personalities will be engaging with students and allowing them to make some crucial decisions regarding their future in a working environment.

They are:

* Asinath Mahapa – Founder of African College of Aviation (Pty) Ltd. She was the first black female pilot trainee in South Africa.

* Busisiwe Mkhwebana – Public Protector.

* Danuta Blanckaert – Head of Radiology at Milpark Hospital.

* Dolly Mokgatle – Independent Non-Executive Director of Zurich Insurance Company SA. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Peotona Group Holdings Ltd. She is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Sasfin Bank Ltd, as well as a Non-Executive Director for Sasfin Holdings.

* Donne Nicol – CEO of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. A trustee of the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust, the Alexander Forbes Community Trust, Mabindu Trust and the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, she is also a director of Shanduka Black Umbrellas.

* Jenna Clifford – World-renowned jewellery designer, known for her unique customised creations. Involved in various mentoring programmes for women of all ages, including the Breaking the Mould series launched by Octagon in 2012 which saw Jenna designing two bespoke diamond butterflies for the tennis champions, Venus and Serena Williams.

* Johanna Mukoki – Entrepreneur and Travel With Flair Group CEO. She has numerous accolades including being named Emerging South African Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Awards and named as South Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in the Tourism Sector.

* Judy Dlamini – Chairperson of Mbekani Investment Holdings Ltd and Aspen Pharmacare.

* Ketso Moorosi – Clinical and Forensic psychologist and former senior lecturer in clinical psychology at the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA). An educator, speaker and facilitator, she is the director of KJM Health Wellness and a former regular panel judge on 3 Talk.

* Koo Govender – CEO of Dentsu Aegis/former Group CEO of VWV and M-Net director, chairperson and founder of the Phakama Women’s Academy.

* Lerato Kganyago – Television presenter, model and businesswoman best known for hosting The LKG Show;  SABC1 lifestyle magazine show The Link as well as Ask a Man on Metro FM.

* Nicky Newton-King – CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. She also serves as a member of the Financial Markets Advisory Board and previously served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

* Nomzamo Mbatha – Actress, presenter and model. She starred in Tell Me Sweet Something and received an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

* Pamela Stein – Partner and head of the Employment and Employee Benefits Practice at Webber Wentzel.

* Val Boje – editor of the Pretoria News, part of Independent Newspapers.

The Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day campaign has received support at the highest level – from  the president’s office and government to the Public Protector’s office, the corporate world and the media.

Suzette van der Merwe, managing executive Cell C Foundation, comments: “Over the past 15 years the campaign has made a difference in the lives of many girl learners in this country – proving that just one day can be a catalyst to change the course of a girl’s life.

“With the invaluable support from our partners, government and corporate South Africa, we are opening the doors of learning and culture beyond the classroom. It is a practical way of encouraging girls to strive for excellence, dream big, have strong self-esteem and know that nothing is impossible.

“Cell C believes that women can be more vibrant contributors to the economy and leading job creators for South Africa. By empowering young women to think about the future that they would like for themselves, Cell C believes that this possibility will become a reality.”

Cell C has also initiated the Girl Child Bursary Fund from which 30 students are now benefitting.

Registration for the 2017 Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day is open on www.cellcgirlchild.co.za.