Johannesburg, South Africa – 22 April 2025. For over 30 years, McDonald’s South Africa has been more than just a restaurant business it has been a consistent force for good, creating thousands of employment opportunities and investing in the growth of its people. The brand’s long-standing legacy is anchored in job creation, empowerment, and developing future leaders.
This commitment was recently brought to life through a ground-breaking initiative in partnership with Hamburger University (HU) and UCT’s Graduate School of Business. In 2024, McDonald’s introduced the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, opening the door for corporate employees to access two accredited qualifications: the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice and the Advanced Diploma in Management Development.
With 75% of the graduating class being women, this milestone not only reflects McDonald’s dedication to skills development but also its focus on inclusive and gender-empowered leadership.
“As part of our People Priorities, we remain focused on building leadership capability, strengthening our talent pipeline, and supporting employee retention,” said Lydia Ngobe, Director of Training at McDonald’s South Africa. “This supports skills development through structured learning and aligns with our core values through a focus on values-based leadership.”
“When I started this programme, I was an Operations Manager. Today, I am the Director of Operations,” shared Dale Tau, one of the graduates. “Thank you, McDonald’s, for believing in your people.”
“Education is key to the country’s future, and we are committed to creating opportunities for learning, growth, and community upliftment,” added Daniel Padiachy, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s South Africa.
As the company marks more than three decades in South Africa, this achievement stands as a powerful reminder of McDonald’s enduring promise: to uplift communities, empower individuals, and unlock the full potential of every employee through opportunity, education, and meaningful employment.
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Dudu Msomi – Founder and CEO of Busara Leadership Partners: At 24, Dudu Msomi impressed her interviewer so much with her views and input into their current clients that she was offered a job and placed on the Pepsi account. She was given a seat at the table with shareholders and this allowed her to give input. Interacting at that level at the beginning of her professional journey helped to shape her, and her interest in corporate governance. Now, Msomi is a well-known and respected strategy facilitator for boards and management, a leadership and executive coach and team builder. Part of her objective at Busara Leadership Partners is to develop effective leaders with knowledge and wisdom she\’s gained from her many years operating in the business industry.