GirlUnlimited, a community-based foundation empowering disadvantaged high school girls in Kathorus through education, is celebrating the successful recruitment of its 2026 cohort, with 35 girls from grade 8 to 11 selected to participate in the programme.
\nGirlUnlimited\u2019s recruitment works closely with schools, teachers and school leadership to identify girls facing socio-economic challenges while demonstrating academic potential and commitment. This school-based approach ensures that support reaches those who need it most while preserving dignity, trust and community ownership.
\nThe 35 girls will receive holistic, year-long support focused on academic development,
\nmentorship, life and soft skills, psychosocial and financial support, industry exposure and a
\nculture of global citizenship.
\nSince its inception, GirlUnlimited has delivered three consecutive years of programme support,
\nsupported girls progressing into South African universities, celebrated the international
\nachievement of a beneficiary accepted to pursue tertiary studies in Japan, and contributed to
\ninter-generational impact, including a mother of a beneficiary returning to university to further
\nher own education.
\n\u201cGirlUnlimited was created to change not only the trajectory of girls\u2019 lives, but the mindset of<\/p>\n
families and communities,\u201d said Portia Nondo, McDOnald\u2019s South Africa Franchisee and Co-
\nFounder of GirlUnlimited. \u201cWhen a girl begins to believe in her own potential, that belief<\/p>\n
spreads. We have seen mothers return to study, families re-imagine what is possible, and
\ncommunities rally around education as a shared responsibility.\u201d
\n\u201cThis cycle marks a true milestone in our growth. We set out to double our intake, and we did. It
\nis a moment we want to pause on, celebrate and share with all of you because none of it would
\nhave been possible without the community that stands behind us.\u201d Commented Batetshi
\nMatenge, Co-Founder of GirlUnlimited.<\/p>\n
Millicent Maroga, Director Impact at McDonald\u2019s South Africa said \u201cSupporting initiatives led by
\nfranchisees and rooted in the communities where they operate is an important part of creating<\/p>\n
meaningful, sustainable impact. For McDonald\u2019s South Africa, supporting initiatives such as
\nGirlUnlimited is about recognising and strengthening the impact that our Franchisees are
\nalready making in their communities. When we support programmes that invest directly in
\nyoung people, we are helping create opportunities that can benefit not only the individual girls,
\nbut their families and communities for years to come.\u201d
\nFor the girls selected, the programme represents an opportunity to build confidence, access
\nsupport and see new possibilities for their futures.
\n\u201cI am so happy and honoured to be selected as one of the girls to join GirlUnlimited. It feels
\namazing to be chosen for such an inspiring proramme and I cant wait to start the journey. This
\nopportunity means so much to me and I am excited for what is to come.\u201d Neo Malinga from
\nPonego Secondary School.
\nParents have also welcomed the opportunity and the wider impact of the programme.
\nSays Zamani Mjiyakho father to Amani who has been one of the new recruits \u201cAs a parent, it
\nmeans a lot to me, from day one, my daughter told me about the Girl Unlimited Education
\nFoundation. I could see in her heart that she was more than happy. Since then, I have seen a
\ndifferent girl, more committed to her studies than before, with confidence in everything she
\npresents.
\nGirlUnlimited emphasises that its impact is made possible through collaboration between
\nschools, families, community members, volunteers, partners, donors and corporate
\nsupporters.
\nThe foundation is seeking funding support to deliver the 2026 programme for the 35 girls,
\nfunding academic support, wellbeing, mentorship and exposure opportunities throughout the
\nyear.
\n\u201cOur impact to date shows what is possible when communities work together,\u201d said Nondo.
\n\u201cEvery success is a shared success. With the right partnerships, we can remove barriers to
\neducation and give more girls the opportunity to realise their potential.\u201d
\nWith its 2026 cohort now in place, GirlUnlimited is calling on funders, corporate partners,
\nadvocates and media partners to support the next phase of its work and help ensure that more
\ngirls can access the education, guidance and opportunities they need to thrive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GirlUnlimited, a community-based foundation empowering disadvantaged high school girls in Kathorus through education, is celebrating<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n