Bursary rescues Nomonde Mpondo’s aspiring retail career

Nomonde Mpondo graduated in June 2017 thanks to a Shoprite Bursary.

Growing up in the small town of Nigel in Gauteng, Nomonde Mpondo’s retail management studies at the University of Johannesburg nearly came to a halt were it not for a bursary from Africa’s largest food retailer.

“My mother took out a loan in my first year, but she couldn’t afford to do so again and I needed to have my fees paid.”

- Nomonde Mpondo, former Shoprite bursary holder and current employee

Determined not to have her studies and career ambitions thwarted, Mpondo applied for a bursary through the Shoprite Group and was delighted when the retailer was able to step in.

Mpondo graduated in June this year and because the Group’s bursary programme is linked to a work-back agreement, she’s currently working as a trainee manager at the Checkers Hyper Mall of Carnival in Brakpan.

“It’s going very well. It’s a great opportunity as it allows me to move up the ladder and being in the presence of the other managers is such a good learning experience. My goal is to be a divisional manager one day.”

- Nomonde Mpondo

With 58% of unemployed South Africans aged 15 - 34 and a shortage of funding for many students in need, the Shoprite Group is searching for bright, hard-working young people like Nomonde Mpondo who need financial support in order to continue their post-school education.

Apply for a Shoprite bursary today or find out more about one of its graduate programmes here.

Apply here