A total of six groups of students showcased their creative social media campaigns, aimed at integrating Hellmann’s stakeholders, to a judging panel which included Hellmann’s CEO Africa, Mr Heinrich Stassen, Sales Director Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Michael Barber, Mr Jonathan Bassingthwaighte (Content and Social Media Manager for The Urban Artroom, the creative agency responsible for Hellmann South Africa’s social media campaign) and Dr Marcia Mkansi, a senior lecturer in e-business in the Department of Business Management. Mr Barber described the alliance as “a worthy programme and a good start for Hellmann” and intends to continue the engagement constructively.

“The ability to recruit highly innovative graduates is becoming a source of sustainable competitive advantage and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics aims to take a lead in developing South African graduates. From this simple empowerment, we want to achieve great and more things for the country”, said Mr Stassen

Dr Mkansi leads the work-based project alliance programme and aims to expand the alliance and partnership with other industries. “I credit the support from Mr Wesley Niemann, Programme Manager, Professor Anské Grobler, the Head of the Department of Business Management, and colleagues who put forward their networks of organisations in making the scheme a success. E-business students, on the other hand, have delivered high quality of work, and I feel very proud to be their mentor”, said Dr Mkansi.

The empowerment is part of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics’ ‘#MoreWithLess’ shared value strategy which is highly aligned with the Department of Business Management’s teaching strategy of balancing academic theory with practice. The aim of the industry-university alliance is to reduce the skills gaps and produce highly innovative and creative graduates relevant for today’s South African and global labour market.