Pizza Hut’s LeadHERship initiative recently hosted an engaging EmpowerHER session for the participants in its latest Cohort, Cohort 3. The session focused on the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and the power of mentorship. Held at Pizza Hut’s head office in Johannesburg, the event featured inspiring discussions on overcoming challenges and striving for success.
As part of the International Women’s Day theme “Accelerate Action,” the event emphasised the challenges many young job seekers face, particularly the barrier of “I can’t get a job without experience, and I can’t get experience without a job.” The Pizza Hut LeadHERship initiative, in partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES), addresses this challenge by offering young women work experience, skills development, and monthly salaries through one-year quality work experiences placed in non-profit organisations.
Since its launch in 2022, LeadHERship has empowered 156 young women, achieving an impressive 96% completion rate. Nearly half of the participants have secured permanent employment, while others are engaged in part-time work or actively searching for job opportunities. In South Africa, where one salary often supports 3.5 family members, this initiative has already made a significant impact, positively affecting over 500 individuals.
Key statistics of the initiative include:
- Cohort 1: 125 participants, with 59 securing employment post-completion (48 in permanent roles and 11 in fixed-term contracts), and 120 completing the program.
- Cohort 2: 37 participants, with 18 securing permanent employment, and 36 completing the program.
- Cohort 3 (currently active): 90 participants, with the program now in its 8th month.
Around fifty women from Cohort 3 attended the session, where they explored the power of a growth mindset and the importance of continuous adaptation. At its core, the growth mindset is the belief that intelligence, abilities, and talents can be developed through effort, resilience, and perseverance. “By embracing challenges and learning from failure, LeadHERship participants are empowered to take control of their futures,” said Rirhandzu Manganye, Head of Brand Marketing for Pizza Hut Turkey, Africa & Germany, and host of the event.
Leanne Emery-Hunter, Chief Commercial Officer at YES and guest panelist, shared insights on cultivating a growth mindset and its pivotal role in her career. She stressed the importance of continuous learning and reframing mistakes as growth opportunities. “Sometimes, a delay in your journey is not a denial of your dreams,” she noted, highlighting the life-changing impact of YES, which has created over 178,000 quality work experience opportunities for young South Africans.
Three inspiring young women also joined the panel, offering valuable insights and advice from their experiences in the program:
- Zandisile Goeieman, a LeadHERship alumna, shared how the program helped her thrive, and that she is now employed as a creator and videographer at Investec. She stressed the importance of feedback and trying new things. “A growth mindset is about seeking more opportunities,” she said, encouraging others to trust in their ability to evolve.
- Tshegofatso Phungwayo, a 23-year-old from Cohort 3, shared her journey from unemployment to securing a marketing internship at Pizza Hut. She credited her success to hard work and mentorship, confirming “It does work—you just need to keep pushing.”
- Olerato Mtshweni, a 25-year-old media content creator, spoke about empathy and staying true to oneself. “Everyone faces challenges, and understanding where someone comes from can offer valuable perspective. Stay true to yourself and do your best.”
The event concluded with LeadHERship participants from Cohort 3 being paired with mentors from Pizza Hut South Africa’s regional office. Hosted by Nadine El Hadad, Chief People & Culture Officer at Pizza Hut Global Franchise Market, and Terikha Nagin, HR Lead for Africa and Europe, both highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “LeadHERship is about building a supportive community and fostering professional growth. Mentorship empowers young women to achieve their full potential.”
Founding members of the LeadHERship initiative, Lee-Ann Cullingworth, Pizza Hut Marketing Director for Turkey, Africa, and Germany, and Marlene Von Berg, Pizza Hut Social Purpose Lead, are immensely proud of the initiative’s ongoing success. LeadHERship continues to make a profound impact by empowering young women to overcome obstacles and unlock their full potential. Through fostering a growth mindset and offering invaluable mentorship, LeadHERship is transforming lives and creating brighter futures for communities across South Africa.
“They’re breaking the cycle of unemployment, transforming their lives, and creating brighter futures for their communities.” said Cullingworth and Von Berg.
For more information about the LeadHERship initiative or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.pizzahutleadhership.com
