MASANDAWANA’S
GROUND-BREAKING PARTNERSHIP
WITH

UPSKILLIST
Author: Sijabulile NdlovuPhotos: Sundowns Media“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson MandelaProviding quality education for all is a crucial step towards creating a peaceful and prosperous world. This is because education empowers people with the knowledge and skills required to access employment opportunities and make a living. The United Nations (UN) proclaimed the 24th of January as the International Day of Education to acknowledge the pivotal role that education plays in fostering peace and development globally. Under the theme: “to Invest in people, prioritise education”, Mamelodi Sundowns celebrated the fifth observance of this auspicious day through a ground-breaking partnership with the internationally renowned online learning platform, Upskillist.
Adhering to the opportune day’s theme, Masandawana showed their commitment to investing in people by providing free access to a wide range of educational programmes on Upskillist. By simply signing up for the football club’s Fan Zone Newsletter, people from all walks of life will be able to acquire skills in diverse career sectors through the online learning platform.

Speaking about the educational initiative, the Brazilians’ Chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, expressed his enthusiasm about the football club’s new venture. “We are happy to announce that with our new friends from Upskillist, Mamelodi Sundowns and the online education platform will be providing education through free online courses for the whole year. We are so excited to be beginning this journey with you. We encourage you to start your education this year and make the most of it,” expressed the Chairman.

Additionally, completion of the course guarantees a globally recognised certification from Upskillist, which is accredited by the prestigious Austin Peay State University (APSU) in Tennessee, USA.

With the advancement of digitisation, the barrier of entry to acquiring educational skills that are relevant for the current job market has decreased. By working with international universities and various industry experts, Upskillist ensures that its education delivery provides a diploma that is relevant for a globalised work environment.

The professional diplomas offered by the online learning platform include data analytics, project management, graphic design, and economics, among many others. Furthermore, Upskillist enables you to set up a learning program that is suitable for your schedule, making it easier to juggle education and other personal commitments.
Encouraging the public to take full advantage of this great opportunity, the Brazilians’ goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams highlighted that the football club’s partnership is a great opportunity to acquire valuable skills and knowledge.
“The partnership between Mamelodi Sundowns and Upskillist is a wonderful initiative, not only for the people within the organisation, but also for all South Africans out there. It is an opportunity for us to gain valuable knowledge,” expressed Williams. The goalie also acknowledged the importance of education as a tool for career advancement.

Banyana Ba Style striker Rhoda Mulaudzi encouraged football players to also take advantage of the football club’s educational opportunity. Additionally, the football player acknowledged education as a vehicle for breaking generational poverty.

“There is life after football. Therefore, one needs to be educated, just in case things don’t work out. Education is important because it opens doors and creates opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to access,” said Mulaudzi.
“The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.” – Nelson MandelaWithout inclusive and equitable quality education, the detrimental cycles of poverty and inequality that plague many communities around the world are expected to continue. Moreover, education helps people develop critical thinking skills such as decision-making, mental agility, and problem-solving. These skills equip people with the ability to rationally deal with challenges in both their personal and professional lives. 
With that said, Mamelodi Sundowns’ partnership with Upskillist is a great opportunity to acquire knowledge and forward your professional career. Sign up for Masandawana’s newsletter and start today!