VWV Selects New Group of Students for Phakama Class of 2015

Award-winning brand experience agency VWV has announced that the Phakama Class of 2015 has been selected. A final tally of 32 second and third year students were carefully chosen to participate in the innovative CSI programme now in its second year. Aimed at developing vital on-the-job skills to empower young women entering the marketing sector workplace, the students have been selected from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the AAA School of Advertising, and the Vega School of Brand Leadership.

With seven more candidates than the inaugural 2014 group, VWV was so impressed by the applicants that it changed the parameters to accommodate the extra talent applying for a spot in the programme.

According to Koo Govender, CEO of the VWV Group and founder of this industry-first initiative, the caliber of students this year has greatly surpassed that of the first group selected to participate in the empowerment programme. “Although the first students we mentored were inspired and confident, there is something truly special about this year’s young women and we are looking forward to working with them and mentoring them in the weeks ahead.”

The qualifying students had to submit a written application and meet the transformation criteria VWV has determined for the academy and have marks that meet or exceed a 65% average.  The short list of students were put through an interview screening with a VWV panel, which certified that only the most passionate are accepted into the academy.

Phakama (which means ‘to rise’ in the Zulu, Xhosa and Nguni languages) is empowering through knowledge and the VWV leadership academy is helping fast-track much needed workplace skills for soon to be graduates in the marketing sector, principally among women.

Although the Phakama Women’s Academy was initially launched as a pilot programme – its success and endorsement from the tertiary institutions and their students, has encouraged VWV to continue and even expand the programme in 2015. The induction of the new student intake is scheduled for early May.

For further information on VWV or the Phakama Women’s Academy contact Amukelani Hlabano on 011 799-2600 /Amukelani@vwv.com.