Cape Dreams News from in and around the Cape
Reshaping career paths and empowering the next generation of leaders in the fast-food industry
HERMAN GIBBS
19 October 2026 – In a remarkable display of growth and opportunity, KFC Africa’s accredited learning programme, the KFC Streetwise Academy, has proudly celebrated the graduation of 101 new students this season.
This significant milestone adds to an impressive total of 303 graduates from the programme, demonstrating the fast-food giant’s commitment to nurturing talent and paving the way for future leaders in the hospitality industry.
Highlighting KFC’s broader mission
101 KFC team members have graduated from Streetwise Academy in 2026, bringing the total number of graduates to 303.
84% of the Class of 2026 have remained with KFC, demonstrating the value of investing in people and their long-term career development.
52% of this year’s graduates are women, reflecting the opportunities being created for future leaders across the business.
Streetwise Academy provides eligible KFC team members with fully funded, Services SETA-accredited qualifications, combining formal learning with practical, on-the-job experience.
The programme forms part of KFC Africa’s commitment to feeding people’s potential and creating meaningful career opportunities within the quick-service restaurant industry.
For thousands of South Africans, a job is the first step towards financial independence. But at KFC Africa, the ambition is to ensure that a first job can become the foundation for a lasting career.
That ambition is being brought to life through KFC’s Streetwise Academy, which has just celebrated the graduation of 101 team members in its Class of 2026, bringing the programme’s total number of graduates to 303.
More significantly, 84% of this year’s graduates have remained with KFC, reinforcing the value of giving employees opportunities to learn, develop and build their futures within the business.
As Africa’s first accredited skills development programme in the quick-service restaurant sector, Streetwise Academy provides eligible team members with access to fully funded qualifications, combining formal education with practical workplace experience.
For KFC Africa’s Chief People, Culture and Purpose Officer, Nolo Thobejane, the programme is about much more than qualifications.
“We often say that at KFC, we don’t just offer jobs; we feed people’s potential. Streetwise Academy is a powerful example of what that means in practice,” says Thobejane.
“When we invest in our people, we’re investing in their futures. We’re giving them the skills, confidence and qualifications to take the next step in their careers, whether that’s leading a restaurant, managing teams or taking on greater responsibility within the business.”
Turning opportunity into real career progression
The Class of 2026 achieved qualifications across NQF levels 3, 4 and 5, developing skills in restaurant operations, management and leadership.
Importantly, these are qualifications that team members can apply directly in their working environments, strengthening both their individual career prospects and the operational capabilities of the business.
For Luthando Nyameni, an Inventory Manager working for a KFC franchisee in the Eastern Cape, Streetwise Academy has added another dimension to a career spanning 13 years with KFC.
“The qualification has contributed significantly to my professional growth,” says Nyameni, who graduated with an NQF Level 5 qualification.
“It enhanced my understanding of business operations, leadership and people management. These skills have enabled me to take on greater responsibilities.”
For Rose Khoza, Restaurant General Manager at KFC Daveyton Mall in Benoni, the experience has strengthened her ability to lead in a demanding restaurant environment.
“NQF 5 taught me how to be a more resilient and strategic leader,” she says.
“It helped me strengthen my skills in people management, problem-solving and leading under pressure. It was practical learning I could apply directly in my restaurant.”
Their experiences demonstrate how formal learning can build on existing experience, giving team members the confidence and capabilities to grow into more senior roles.
Building the next generation of future leaders
Streetwise Academy offers SETA-accredited qualifications from NQF levels 3 to 7, with learning combining online education and practical, on-the-job training.
The programme is fully funded for participating team members, removing the financial barrier to obtaining recognised qualifications while allowing employees to continue working and gaining experience.
With women accounting for 52% of this year’s graduating class, the Academy is also contributing to the development of a broader pipeline of future leaders within KFC.
For Thobejane, this is central to KFC’s ambition to be an Employer of Choice.
“Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn’t always. Our responsibility is to create an environment where people can see a future for themselves and have the support to pursue it,” she says.
“These 101 graduates represent 101 individual stories of ambition, commitment and possibility. And that’s what makes this programme so important. When our people grow, our business grows with them.”
As KFC continues to invest in its people and operations across South Africa, Streetwise Academy demonstrates what is possible when businesses look beyond employment alone and actively create opportunities for people to build meaningful, sustainable careers.
