Media releases

Monday, 31 March 2025

Johannesburg, – Cell C and Inscape Education Group have announced a groundbreaking two-year partnership aimed at empowering young South African talent through creativity, innovation, and career development. Running from March 2025 to December 2026, this collaboration underscores Cell C’s commitment to co-creation and youth empowerment, bridging the gap between education and industry to unlock real-world opportunities.

Central to this partnership lies the first design brief for 2025, providing students with an immersive challenge to conceptualise innovative design solutions. The initiative will culminate in the selection of bursary recipients based on academic and portfolio performance, ensuring that top talent receives the necessary support to thrive.

In 2026, Cell C will further solidify its commitment by funding selected students and offering internships to two top-performing individuals, equipping them with the hands-on industry experience needed to transition seamlessly into the professional world.

By actively engaging with young creatives, Cell C continues to champion inclusivity, sustainability, and forward-thinking solutions, aligning with its purpose of being an ally.

Key Focus Areas:

• Bridging Education and Industry – The partnership ensures that students gain practical exposure and a strong professional foundation, allowing them to translate classroom learning into real-world applications.
• Driving Entrepreneurship and Sustainability – The initiative encourages students to explore sustainability, local manufacturing, and ethical design principles, fostering responsible innovation.
• Real Career Impact – With Cell C committing to offering internships to top-performing students, the initiative provides tangible pathways to employment, reinforcing the brand’s role in skills development and job creation.

“Our partnership with Inscape is a testament to our belief in the power of co-creation,” says Cell C Managing Executive: Brand Marketing - Oyisa Besman. “By working alongside young, talented individuals, we are not only shaping the future of design and innovation but also creating meaningful opportunities that drive economic empowerment and transformation.”

Peter Harrison, Postgraduate Manager at Inscape Education , echoed these sentiments, stating: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Cell C in equipping our students with the resources, mentorship, and real-world experience they need to succeed.  The project affords our students' rich exposure to the exciting creative opportunities that exist for design, branding and real-world problem solving, in social contexts which are relevant globally and locally. This exciting opportunity from Cell C, dovetails beautifully with Inscapes approach of getting our graduates #societyready #lifeready #challengeready and #workready”.

Through this initiative, Cell C and Inscape are paving the way for young South Africans to become leaders in design, technology, and business, proving that true innovation thrives in partnerships built on shared purpose and vision.

For media inquiries, please contact:
media@cellc.co.za