Vodacom Group and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) partner for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP), a leadership development initiative designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for the future of work. The three-month programme is offered by the Development and Leadership Unit (DLU) in the Division of Student Affairs at Wits.
Rather than waiting until students graduate to provide workplace exposure, this initiative proactively engages young people during their studies, ensuring they develop the digital capabilities, leadership mindset and strategic awareness needed to thrive in an evolving economy.
The collaboration brings together Vodacom Group’s industry expertise and Wits’ academic and innovation excellence to address a critical need: equipping graduates with practical skills and real-world experience before they enter the workforce.
Many graduates enter the job market with limited exposure to real business challenges and industry practice. The Emerging Leaders Programme closes this gap by giving students direct access to industry leaders, technology, and real-world business experiences.
“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to empowering future leaders,” said Ayman Essam, Vodacom Group’s Chief of External Affairs. “Young people today need more than theoretical knowledge. They need to understand how business works, how to engage with government and stakeholders, and how to think strategically about complex issues. By working closely with Wits, we’re creating opportunities for students to learn these skills while still at university. That’s a game-changer.”
The collaboration for the Emerging Leaders Programme provides Wits students with:
- Digital Skills Development: Hands-on experience with the technologies and platforms driving modern business.
- Functional Exposure: Direct insight into External Affairs as a strategic business function.
- Industry Mentorship: Guidance from Vodacom leaders across the business.
- Real Business Challenges: Exposure to how business, government, and public policy intersect.
- Leadership Development: Practical experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and advocacy.
The collaboration places a particular focus on External Affairs, a function that connects business strategy, government relations, corporate reputation and strategic communication. By introducing students to these fields, Vodacom Group and Wits University are developing leaders who understand how business operates in the real world.
Beyond the immediate participants, the partnership aims to create a pipeline of graduates with a deep understanding of how business and society work together. This has real implications for South Africa’s economic development and digital transformation.
“Our University attracts academically gifted students. It is our responsibility as an institution to help shape their potential and graduate a resourceful and resilient student body that is ready for work, equipped to lead organisations, and committed to being active citizens who positively impact the world for good,” said Wits Dean of Student Affairs, Jerome September. “Partnering with Vodacom Group highlights the importance of early collaboration between employers and students in order to build stronger bridges between education and industry.”
For almost two decades the Emerging Leaders Programme at Wits has empowered students to evolve and respond to the changing work landscape. The partnership with Vodacom Group enables the University to elevate the impact of the programme by demonstrating the importance of meaningful partnerships between industry and higher education.
The collaboration launches with students from Wits University, with the intention of expanding to other higher education institutions, aiming to create a replicable model for skills development and youth empowerment across the continent, focusing on Vodacom markets including the DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania.
