THRIVE ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 2024 30 Empowering the future of Tourismthrough Learning for Life Tourism serves as a crucial pillar of the economy in South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique. As part of the Southern African Development Community, these countries recognize tourism’s immense potential as a robust job creator. However, the demand for skilled labour continues to grow. This year, Diageo’s Learning for Life programme emerged as a beacon of empowerment, training over 1,000 individuals in the hospitality industry. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to equipping young people with targeted training and mentorship, aligning with their career aspirations, and opening pathways to prosperity. By May 2024, 485 participants in South Africa, 100 in Mozambique, and 44 in Zambia graduated through Diageo’s partnerships with the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), Mozambique’s Institute of Hospitality and Tourism under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Zambia Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Studies. This collaborative effort, engaging local educational institutions and industry experts, ensured that participants, including students and unemployed graduates, received comprehensive hands-on training in hospitality, tourism, bartending, and customer service. Moreover, the program integrated essential professional skills such as interview preparation and conflict resolution to guarantee that graduates are wellprepared for the workforce. In South Africa, a partnership with the STH facilitated the placement of qualifying students and graduates as interns in diverse tourism, food and beverage, as well as hospitality settings across the country. Professor Tembi Tichaawa, Academic Head for Tourism, praised the program as transformative, touching nearly 500 households with hope and opportunity. The ongoing second cohort of the program across South Africa’s seven provinces thrives due to the strategic alliance between Diageo and the university. Kusakhanya Gcezengana, a UJ final-year Hospitality Management student from East London’s Phumlani Township, exemplifies the program’s impact. Placed at the Sandton Hotel through Learning for Life, Gcezengana states, “Beyond skill development in communication and teamwork, this internship assisted me in applying my academic knowledge in a real-world setting. It helped me to demonstrate my capabilities and work ethic to potential employers, granting me, a vital boost in my chosen career.” His achievements have caught the attention of major hotels eager to extend his internship, highlighting the program’s success in advancing employability. By Amy Mudzamiri, Sustainability Manager, Southern Africa & Indian Ocean, DIAGEO Lear Rodn
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