Hospitality students in Johannesburg are set to gain invaluable work experience at some of the city’s top establishments, thanks to the newly bolstered Learning for Life internship program. This initiative, spearheaded by global giant Diageo South Africa in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has now expanded its reach with the crucial support of the Youth Employment Service (YES4YOUTH).
Launched yesterday (2/10/2025) at UJ’s School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH) on the Auckland Park Bunting Road campus, this public-private partnership aims to directly tackle South Africa’s high youth unemployment rate, which currently stands at 46.1% according to Statistics South Africa.
The Learning for Life program is designed to equip students with essential practical skills and industry knowledge across tourism, hospitality, and food and beverage services. This year’s installment will facilitate a one-year placement for 100 students in reputable hotel and culinary establishments. This mandatory experiential training is a requirement for their final graduation.
Reflecting on the program’s existing success, Gerald Hamadziripi, General Manager of the Kezner@UJ, emphasized the power of collaboration.
“At the Kezner@UJ we fully believe in the power of partnerships. When industries and communities come together with a shared vision, the results are transformative. Over the past two years our collaboration with Diageo through this programme has been a living testament to that truth. As a host partner, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the impact this has had on young people,” he said.
Once participants from the 2025/26 cohort complete their theoretical learning and practical experience, they will join an alumni network of over 1,500 Learning for Life graduates who have successfully secured employment across South Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
The addition of YES4YOUTH significantly bolsters the program’s ability to create job-ready graduates.
Andrew Ross, General Manager of Diageo SA, noted the importance of this expanded collaboration:
“A big reason for that success in South Africa is our growing partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES) and the University of Johannesburg. Together, we’ve been able to not only train young people, but also place them into structured, real-world work experiences, where they can grow, contribute, and build momentum in their careers.”
Thabo Moloi of YES4YOUTH underscored the economic necessity of job creation. Using a fitting analogy, he likened unemployment to the lack of skilled professionals to represent the country in a global mixology contest.
“Having enough bartenders, will come from the creation of jobs. Jobs will allow young people to participate meaningfully in the economy. And to achieve this, services like ours need partners to get young people working,” he said.
The initiative also received high praise from the government, with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, represented by Deputy Minister Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, lauding the three entities for their collaborative effort.
The most powerful evidence of the program’s impact came from UJ and Learning for Life alumna, Ayanda Magele. Now employed as a hotel sommelier at the renowned Saxon Hotel, Magele shared her journey of success.
“Joining the Diageo programme has truly changed my life. It is amazing what has happened in a year. I joined the programme in 2024, and was placed at the Saxon Hotel. I felt like a fish in an ocean. But the discomfort forced me to pursue greatness and grab all the opportunities that come my way. I realised that when opportunities like Learning for Life are presented, they open a door to working and learning in some of the finest spaces you may have only dreamt of being in,” she said.
The partnership among Diageo South Africa, UJ’s STH, and YES4YOUTH is poised to make a significant contribution to both student careers and the future of the nation’s vital tourism and hospitality industry.
