There are currently 11.1 million working-age unemployed people in South Africa. The Pat on Brands Fellowship’s aim is to alleviate unemployment. The team is honoured to finally have an opportunity to develop young talent and groom future leaders in the media industry.
This year, five deserving young people were welcomed to the team as beneficiaries for a six-month fellowship programme. ‘It gives us great pride as a company founded by young people to be able to give back in a way that matters. As a young person, I know the frustration that comes with not having access to opportunities because one lacks the ‘credentials’. On the hand, I have great mentors who guide me throughout my journey, therefore with the fellowship I am paying it forward for other young people,’ said Pat on Brands founder Pat Mahlangu.
‘The Pat on Brands Fellowship inaugural class of 2021 represents the first group of many young lives we hope to impact in the future,’ he added.
The opportunity is offered to unemployed South Africans between the ages of 18-25 who display a keen interest in the media. The programme equips fellows with research, writing and content creation skills which allows them to broaden their intellectual and professional horizons.
They will be invited to participate as members of the team by engaging in daily activities such meetings, excursions and events. The fellows will also be part of the Pat on Brands think tank, alongside the full-time team whose expertise extends across media, marketing, and communications.
One of the highlights of the fellowship was when the fellows were taken to the Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) headquarters where they received media training and exposure to public sector communications.
Two of the fellows are now full-time employees of Pat on Brands’ sister company, Lerato Agency.
‘By the end of the programme, fellows would have gained valuable skills and exposure to the media industry that will enable them to get jobs in the industry and/or start their own online platforms,’ Mahlangu said.
PAT ON BRANDS
https://patonbrands.com/
