A brave moment turned into a life-changing opportunity for a young girl during the UN’s International Day of the Girl Child commemoration at Vodacom World.
What started as an inspiring call for girls to dream boldly, turned into a life-changing moment for one young South African.
At the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child commemoration, hosted at Vodacom World in Midrand on October 10, a young attendee, Mukhethwa Nkhulumeni, showed remarkable courage, and her bravery was instantly rewarded.
The SKMSF is one of NYDA’s flagship programmes, providing full scholarships for young people under 35 to study in critical and scarce skills fields.
Named in honour of Solomon Mahlangu, a young anti-apartheid activist, the fund aims to increase youth employability and entrepreneurship, particularly among those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
It covers tuition, books, accommodation, and meals. “Her courage is what captured me,” said Myende.
The event, a collaboration between the United Nations in South Africa, Vodacom, and the UN Global Compact Network South Africa, brought together influential voices from government, business, and civil society to champion girls’ rights and empowerment.
Speakers included Vodacom Group chief officer for human resources Matimba Mbungela, a video message from UN resident co-ordinator Nelson Muffuh, and a powerful keynote by ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill, a respected Pan-African advocate for gender equality and ethical leadership.
January-Bardill urged attendees to protect the progress made on gender justice, warning against ideologies that seek to undermine equality.
“I simply urge you to all think very carefully and critically about these new ideologies that are trying to reverse decades of intense struggles for gender justice, for fundamental human rights, for equality, and for non-discrimination.
“I’m so aware that our society, and many others, still have deeply embedded patriarchal norms and beliefs that men are superior to women, and some of our laws, for example, on marriage and inheritance, as well as property rights, are still discriminating, both in intent and in effect, and need to be treated as equal.”
A highlight of the day was a panel discussion featuring trailblazing women across industries, including Myende, Vodacom SA financial director Refilwe Nkabinde, FIFA referee and SheRef Foundation founder Akhona ‘She Ref’ Makalima, and SABC International news editor Sophie Mokoena
The conversation explored practical steps to accelerate gender equality, shift mindsets, and empower girls to lead change.
Also present were notable figures, such as UN Goodwill ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha, founder of Qrate and minister of menstruation Candice Chirwa, and Miss South Africa finalist and speech therapist Qhawekazi Mazaleni, among others.
The International Day of the Girl Child, marked globally on October 10, celebrates girls’ rights and calls attention to the challenges they face.
Read more about the event in the next edition of the Midrand Reporter.
