17 July 2019 – The first edition of Sasol and the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) Limitless Internship Programme has come to an end. Banyana Banyana player Jermaine Seoposenwe and Sasol League player Bontle Mashilo spent 12 months acquiring work experience at Sasol, SAFA and also at leading and award-winning sports marketing agency Levergy.
Seoposenwe and Mashilo began the internship programme in July 2018, being trained on brand and sponsorship marketing, public relations and social media. The Limitless Internship Programme forms part of the Limitless initiative, launched by Sasol and SAFA in May 2018. Through this programme, footballers are given an opportunity to acquire other professional skills through exposure to the business-working environment. This is to help prepare them for life after football.
Seoposenwe, who now plays for Gintra Universitetas in Lithuania, reflected on the internship.
“Being a marketing graduate myself, I’m grateful to have received an opportunity to learn all that I can in the marketing industry,” said the Banyana Banyana forward.
Although she was not able to complete the 12 months due to football commitments (she signed for a new club), Seoposenwe admits that the internship also helped her grow and experience how different organisations operate.
“This was my first time in the work place and I was fortunate enough to gain experience at different organisations, which is a rare opportunity for most interns. I’d like to thank Sasol for their continued support for female footballers. I have been under their wing from the beginning when I played in the Sasol League to when I joined Banyana Banyana, and now through the Limitless internship programme.”
Mashilo, who is a Sports Management graduate currently studying for her M-Tech in Organizational Leadership added, “Besides being a footballer, these days it’s difficult to get a job or work experience anywhere. I feel privileged to have worked with some of the best professionals in the industry who are experts at what they do.”
“It was really important for me to be part of the programme because after my injury while playing for Banyana Banyana, I realised that nothing is guaranteed. Anything can happen in one’s football career, hence footballers need to make sure that they are educated so they can have access to other career opportunities. Lastly, thank you to Sasol and SAFA for giving us the opportunity to learn and for contributing to our growth both on and off the field.”
The internship might have come to an end but things are looking good for Mashilo.
She is now officially employed at Levergy as part of the public relations team. Mashilo is now working on big brands such as Sasol, New Balance, WWE and Nedbank.
“I’m excited to officially join Levergy, the agency has become my second home and a great place to learn. I look forward to learning more, growing and working on some of the best brands in the country.”
Sasol’s Senior Manager for Group Brand Management, Nozipho Mbatha, said: “It’s been great having Jermaine and Bontle as part of our first Limitless Internship Programme and seeing them grow into young professionals. Although we had been sponsoring women’s football for 10 years, as Sasol we saw an opportunity for development not only on the field but in other areas as well.
We are proud of how successful the internship was and hope to create more initiatives like this where women footballers can explore careers outside of football. We wish the best of luck to Jermaine and Bontle and hope that this journey has contributed positively towards their careers.”
For more information on the Limitless initiative and to show your support, search #Limitless on Twitter or YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jMRZ_CJR3Y
Ends.
For media enquiries please contact:
Tshegofatso Mashala
tshegofatso.mashala@levergy.co.za