Pizza Hut, in partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES) and local NPOs, recently celebrated the graduation of 80 young women from the third cohort of its LeadHERship Initiative, a groundbreaking programme tackling youth unemployment in South Africa.
Launched in 2022, the initiative equips young women aged 18–24 with professional mentorship, workplace experience, and a monthly income that supports an average of 3.5 family members. With female youth unemployment remaining one of the country’s most pressing challenges, LeadHERship is creating a tangible pathway from education to employment.
Since inception, the programme has sponsored 252 youth, with a remarkable 91% completion rate:
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Cohort 1 (2022): 125 sponsored, 112 completed. Outcomes: 30 permanent jobs, 11 fixed-term contracts, 3 businesses started.
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Cohort 2 (2023): 37 sponsored, 35 completed. Outcomes: 20 permanent jobs, 2 businesses started.
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Cohort 3 (2025): 90 sponsored, 80 graduated. Outcomes to date: 3 permanent jobs, with many more contracts still expected.
So far, 53 graduates have secured permanent employment, 11 are on fixed-term contracts, and five have successfully launched businesses. Together, their earnings have created a ripple effect, positively impacting an estimated 795 lives in their households and communities.
The 2025 graduation ceremony on 9 September featured keynote speaker Ntandoyenkosi (Ntando) Kunene-Radzuma, former Miss South Africa and a passionate youth empowerment advocate. Her words of encouragement reminded graduates to embrace both nerves and opportunities: “Channel those nerves into action and do something.”
Graduate Jecqueline Nakana also shared her personal journey, highlighting how the programme gave her the work experience and confidence she had long been seeking: “Growth is uncomfortable, but it is necessary. Now, I’m motivated to become a businesswoman myself.”
The celebratory event ended on a high note, with networking, entertainment, and a surprise live performance by DJ Zinhle, who joined in marking the graduates’ milestone.
Lee-Ann Cullingworth, Pizza Hut Marketing Director for the Middle East and Africa, and Marlene von Berg, Pizza Hut Social Purpose Lead, reinforced the brand’s commitment to meaningful change:
“Through LeadHERship, we’re not just addressing unemployment statistics — we’re changing lives, families, and communities. These young women are breaking barriers, and it was truly special to celebrate their success.”
The LeadHERship Initiative remains a cornerstone of Pizza Hut’s global social purpose platform, “An Equal Slice for Everyone,” ensuring that every slice of opportunity helps build stronger, more inclusive communities.
For more information, visit: www.pizzahutleadhership.com
