Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day, which will be held around South Africa this Thursday, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year on global Africa Day (May 25).
Cell C regional offices around the country will be hosting learners from their province.
Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal: Learners from Southlands Secondary School in Chatsworth in Kwa Zulu Natal will be hosted by Cell C and will also interact with the Sharks rugby team as well as watch a training session.
Bloemfontein, Freestate: Guests speakers on the day include businesswomen Marlize Haultzhausen, Lize Labuschagne and industrial engineer and Miss South Africa Top 5 finalist Shane Naidoo.
Cape Town, Western Cape: Cell C staffers will host 40 girls from Belgravia High School. Careers in financial areas will be under discussion. Guest speaker is Miss South Africa 2017 first princess, medical doctor Ade van Heerden.
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape: Melissa Louw from Varsity College will talk about courses on offer; there are a number of guest speakers including Amanda Pruissen and Caileigh Stap while Mishqah September will speak about women in the workplace.
Since its inception, the lauded initiative has given nearly 1-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.
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 of Cell C Foundation, says: “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 changing 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.
To donate R2 to the Cell C Girl Child Bursary Fund, SMS Girl Child to 14799
