Telecommunications giant Vodacom Group has partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) on a leadership development initiative designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for the future of work.

The 2026 Emerging Leaders Programme, offered by the Development and Leadership Unit in the Division of Student Affairs at Wits, brings together Vodacom Group's industry expertise and Wits' academic and innovation excellence for three months to address a critical need: equipping graduates with practical skills and real-world experience before they enter the workforce.

The initiative proactively engages young people during their studies, instead of waiting until they graduate to provide workplace exposure, thereby ensuring they develop the digital capabilities, leadership mindset and strategic awareness needed to thrive in an evolving economy.

With many graduates entering the job market with limited exposure to real business challenges and industry practice, the Emerging Leaders Programme aims to close the gap by providing students direct access to industry leaders, technology and real-world business experiences.

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to empowering future leaders. 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,” said Vodacom Group external affairs chief Ayman Essam.

The collaboration for the Emerging Leaders Programme provides Wits students with digital skills development and hands-on experience with the technologies and platforms driving modern business, as well as functional exposure and direct insight into external affairs as a strategic business function.

It will also provide industry mentorship, with guidance from Vodacom leaders across the business; real business challenges, with exposure to how business, government and public policy intersect; and leadership development, with 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 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.

“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,” added 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, 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 Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania.