Against the elegant backdrop of the Inanda Polo Club in Johannesburg, the GirlUnlimited Foundation hosted its fourth annual High Tea on a dazzling Saturday afternoon, uniting business leaders, community members, and advocates in an afternoon dedicated to raising funds for disadvantaged high school girls.
Themed “Sip With Purpose,” the event combined live music, networking, and a silent auction, raising significant funds earmarked for mentorship programmes, mental-wellbeing workshops, and academic support in 2026.
Guests also heard powerful stories from alumnae whose journeys from hardship to higher education showcased the foundation’s transformative impact.
Bridging education and life skills
Co-founder Portia Nondo explained the philosophy behind GirlUnlimited’s five-year programme:
“The struggles our girls face, from missing school due to basic needs to lacking emotional support, are real. Our programmes aim to fill these gaps and provide opportunities that empower girls to achieve their full potential.”
She added:
“We want to see tangible outcomes five or ten years down the line. GirlUnlimited is about measurable change – ensuring that the young women who come through our programme have real opportunities to pursue tertiary education and the careers they aspire to.”
Alongside STEM education, the programme integrates entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and personal mentorship. During school holidays, participants gain hands-on work experience in Nondo’s McDonald’s restaurants, exposing them to professional environments and diverse career options.
Hard truths, bold visions
The event also tackled pressing social challenges., with Dr Lisa Mulenga, country director of Girl Effect, delivering a keynote that laid bare the harsh realities confronting many South African girls.
“Adolescent girls aged 15 and young women aged 15 to 24 bear the brunt of HIV in this country. They’re the most vulnerable group. So they are three times more likely to acquire HIV than their male counterparts. Three times more likely. And nearly one third of new infections in South Africa is happening amongst these young girls. So again, you know, we’ve made progress as a country, but it’s not enough.
I’m sure you’re all aware of the recent US government issues where they’ve they’ve just cut their funding. That has taken us back. So two weeks ago was the South Africa HIV/AIDS conference that was happening here. And it was estimated that in the next year we’ll probably see 300,000 more new HIV infections in the country. So it is a topic or issue that’s why I’m quite very passionate about it. It would break my heart if one of the girls that we’ve mentored contracted HIV under my watch. And that’s why I do this.”
Her remarks followed her earlier warning that:
“In South Africa, one in seven girls, aged 15 to 19, have been pregnant. In 2024 alone, over 2 000 pregnancies were recorded in girls aged 10 to 14.”
Her call to destigmatise sexual health conversations was echoed by other speakers, including Candy Kasonkomona, Regional Vice President in the aviation sector, who urged attendees to consider their role in boosting girls’ confidence beyond textbooks.
Alumna Nokubonga Ngobese added a youth perspective:
“Public schools aren’t giving us the tools we need to succeed. I would create opportunities, especially extracurriculars, that help us understand the real world.”
Corporate backing with purpose
Support came from major sponsors including Standard Bank and McDonald’s South Africa, which is celebrating 30 years of operations. Through its Together Mzansi initiative, McDonald’s continues to strengthen its CSI role in youth development.
Nondo emphasised that these partnerships are essential:
“Supporting them is about empowering young women to create opportunities for themselves and their communities. If you empower a girl, she nurtures others in turn, lifting her family and community with her.”
This aligns with McDonald’s long-standing strategy of embedding social impact into its brand presence. As the company recently highlighted in its 30th anniversary celebrations, initiatives like this amplify the role of business in driving social change.
Stories shaping South Africa today
The GirlUnlimited High Tea is more than a fundraiser—it’s part of a broader movement spotlighted in NOWinSA’s EMPOWER SA hub, where remarkable individuals and organisations are showcased for going above and beyond in building a better South Africa.
With a vibrant turnout and generous support, Nondo reflected:
“The conversations today have been outstanding and deeply aligned with our mission to create a holistic ecosystem of support for girls.”
