4 March 2022
Andiswa Mchunu (24) from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, was an unemployed university graduate before joining Shoprite’s Retail Readiness programme in 2020.
After completing the programme, Mchunu became a Trainee Manager and was soon promoted to her current position of Back Admin Manager at Shoprite Ladysmith Oval.
When she first started her retail career, Mchunu was inspired by her colleague Siphamandla Kunene. “He loved his job, always worked hard and motivated me every chance he got," explains Mchunu.
The Shoprite Group is South Africa’s largest private sector employer with over 140 000 employees, excluding indirect employment. Despite the effect of the lockdown and unrest on retail trade, the Group still managed to create 4 608 new jobs in South Africa in the past financial year.
Over the past five years, the Group has spent more than R700 million on extensive retail skills and training programmes, including the Retail Readiness programme, arguably the largest skills development initiative undertaken by a South African retailer. About 65% of its employees are youth (under the age of 35) and 64% are women.
“To become successful in this business you must have passion for what you do, tackle each task as it comes and be willing to learn every day."
- Andiswa Mchunu, Back Admin Manager at Shoprite Ladysmith Oval