Students from the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust explore Bolt’s tech world during Mandela Day event. Picture: Supplied/ Bolt
E-hailing company Bolt celebrated Mandela Day by hosting an exciting event for 10 students from the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) at its Johannesburg offices.
The aim was to introduce these students to the professional world, spark their career dreams, and show them the wide range of opportunities in tech and ride-hailing.
The event featured hands-on activities, where students learned about Bolt’s daily operations, met key team members, and explored different career paths within the company.
They engaged with departments such as Marketing, Mapping, Customer Experience, Legal, Human Resources, and PR.
Sandra Buyole, Regional PR Manager at Bolt, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to host these bright young minds at Bolt for Mandela Day.
“Our goal was to inspire and empower the next generation by providing them with a first hand experience of what it’s like to work in a dynamic and innovative company like Bolt. We hope today’s event has sparked their interest and given them the confidence to pursue their dreams,” she said.
Students interacted with Bolt professionals, who shared their career stories and offered practical advice. The day ended with a Q&A session, providing students with further insights into preparing for their future careers.
“We believe in the power of education and community support. As we honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, we are reminded of the importance of giving back and investing in our future leaders,” said Buyole.
Chantelle Oosthuizen, Executive Director of CRET, said they sought to address students' unique challenges by going beyond providing bursaries to create holistic programs that care for their overall well-being.
“This includes collaboration with businesses to offer experiential workplace learning opportunities. When a student’s well-being is supported, their academic and professional results follow. This holistic approach ensures that graduates enter the workforce better prepared,” she said.
Karabo Phoshoko, a BSc student who attended the event, reflected on the experience:
“I had a great experience that gave me insights into one of South Africa's most successful ride-hailing businesses and their day-to-day operations. Seeing how they constantly strive to evolve in a competitive and ever-changing market was fascinating.”
IOL