Meet the talented graduates from the 2020 Professional Retail Programme
The 2020 Professional Retail Programme graduates at a Personal Branding Workshop, hosted by Jessica Turner, owner of Confab Digital Marketing Agency (third from the left). Photo: MRP Foundation/ Pierre Tostee
Seven graduates have already started building their careers in the retail industry thanks to the Jump Start Professional Retail Programme, which equips graduates for careers in junior buying, planning and store management positions in retail organisations. The tough ten-month post-graduate programme focuses on both workplace and classroom learning, enabling graduates to understand the working world they will soon be entering. To our PRP graduates we say, graduation isn’t the end of your learning journey, it is only the beginning. Good luck with your career!
Andile Nyembezi
“I am now a better listener and more receptive. Retail is all about the people.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Andile studied a BCom in Economics and Finance and a BCom Honours in Economics before joining the programme. From Bizana, in the Eastern Cape, Andile has a drive to learn, and thoroughly enjoyed the lectures presented by David Mason and Kim Burgess. His career goal is to grow in the field of planning.
Isebelle Myburgh
“Learning from people who have been in the industry for years was extremely rewarding. My scope of knowledge broadened and I learned to value everyone’s role and purpose in contributing to the final product.”
Durban-North resident, Isebelle, describes herself as passionate, enthusiastic and positive. The 26-year-old’s past studies included a BSc Honours in Consumer Science. Through the challenging course, she learnt the value of considering the bigger picture when making decisions, both personally and professionally. Her career goals are to become educated and productive within the buying field, to build on her efficiency and focus on refining herself.
Nceba Njanda
“My studies primarily placed high emphasis on numbers however through PRP I got a chance to understand all operations, specifically being part of retail which is fast and dynamic. The programme helped me discover the creative part of myself that I was unaware of — helping me become a potential all-rounder.”
Ncebe is a 25-year-old, originally from the Eastern Cape, who studied a BCom in Chartered Accountancy. The soft-spoken but passionate individual enjoyed learning about new topics, like sustainable business, ethics and personal branding, and his aspirations are to become a planner and further his CA studies part-time.
Nokubongwa Khumalo
“The programme has contributed to my personal and professional development: it has taught me presentation and time management skills; positivity, the ability to be coachable, the need to do extra and to always be prepared. It has been a learning curve (about the retail industry) and has sharpened me to become flexible and adaptable.”
The 26-year-old calls Mandeni, in KwaZulu-Natal, her hometown and describes herself as hardworking, trustworthy, and a team player. She studied Web Design and Development and Marketing. She loves working with numbers and hopes to become a planner or allocation planner in the near future.
Kaylan Austin Chetty
“The programme built a bridge for me from a student to a man. I matured greatly in the past 10 months, I am stronger, more motivated and have a stronger work ethic with a different outlook to the business world. This programme was just the kick start I needed after graduating.”
From Queensburgh, Kaylan has a BCom in Supply Chain and Management Logistics. The 22-year-old describes himself as a hardworking individual with a good attitude. He lives his life by the motto, “Your attitude determines your altitude”. He hopes to become a successful buyer.
Damien Chetty
“The programme challenged me to move out of my comfort zone and apply the theory I had learnt in a practical yet realistic manner. The course on fabrics and fibres was a standout.”
Damien is from Chatsworth and studied BCom Supply Chain and Finance. The 24-your-old enjoys being creative, working with others and bringing energy to others — he is even a dancer. The programme gave him the opportunity to access the retail world and meet “amazing” mentors. His life’s ambition is to be the best he can be, reach new levels in the retail environment and continue growing in his professional capacity.
Bianca Mathebula
“The programme was life-changing. MRP Foundation believed in me and saw potential. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity because the programme fits in so well with my qualifications.”
From Nelspruit, in Mpumalanga, Nkosazana studied Retail Business Management. She describes herself as passionate, organised, industrious and an analytical thinker. Through the challenging but worthwhile programme she believes she acquired skills that sets her apart from her peers. She enjoyed learning from “industry giants” who shared their first-hand knowledge and hopes to grow in her field of studies and find permanent employment.
