2024 Youth Cohort Engages with NRF Leaders Over Corporate Lunch

For over 25 years, the NRF has invested in the advancement of the knowledge of the country’s youth cohort in recognition of their contributions to the National System of Innovation and providing them with the necessary resources to help them realise their dreams. This year, as part of its 25^th anniversary celebration, the NRF hosted a first of its kind corporate lunch for 11 young people from across the organisation.

Dubbed “The CEO’s Long Table”, the primary objective of this event was to provide a unique opportunity for young people of the NRF to engage directly with its leadership.

The lunch was hosted by the NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, accompanied by members of the Corporate Executive team: Deputy CEO: NRIP, Dr Angus Paterson; Group Executive: Corporate Services, Mr Kedirang Oagile; Group Executive: Finance and Supply Chain Management, Mr Bishen Singh; and the Managing Director of NRF-SAASTA, Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia.

The luncheon took place on 01 November 2024, at Casa Toscana in Pretoria. The cohort that joined the NRF leadership for the engagement was chosen from the participants of this year’s internal Youth Month Campaign, which was rolled out in June 2024. The participants were Katleho Ralehoko, NRF-RIISA; Kelebogile Pule, NRF-RIISA; Dr Lindokuhle Dlamini, NRF-SAEON; Dr Athi Mfikili, NRF-SAEON; Lurentia Quintin, NRF-iThemba LABS; Gerald Maluleke, NRF-SAASTA; Dr Edward Nkadimeng, NRF-iThemba LABS; Rivoningo Khosa, NRF-iThemba LABS; Ceazer Thenjwayo, NRF-iThemba LABS; Dr Monique Engelbrecht-Roberts, NRF-iThemba LABS and Kelebogile Gasealahwe NRF-SAAO.

This annual campaign aims to celebrate the NRF youth across the organisation and to promote the ONE NRF brand and culture. The platform enables the participants to speak proudly of their work and accomplishments and about some of their current NRF-related projects. By so doing, a fertile ground was cultivated for the participants to explore possible areas of research collaboration.

During the session, not only were the participants able to engage with their fellow colleagues from other facilities but they were also able to engage with the leadership of the organisation. The session’s primary focus was on the young people, they were each afforded an opportunity to introduce themselves and their focus areas briefly. The group was diverse with representatives from the nuclear space, astronomy, science engagement, the NRF granting as well as the environmental observation fields.

Many of the participants enjoyed the engagement session, particularly those who are stationed in other provinces as they do not get to see or engage with the leadership of the organisation. The setting of the lunch, which was strategically set to a long table, was also designed to encourage discussions and conversations within an intimate setting.

At the end of the session, each participant received an inspirational book, which was a highlight that several participants were excited about. Each book was personally signed by the NRF CEO with a message of encouragement to each participant. These books form part of just some of the books that have been influential in the NRF CEO’s career journey.

The engagement did not just foster fruitful discussions, it was also a positive reinforcement of the NRF’s commitment towards supporting the growth and advancement of the organisation, as well as the country’s youth cohort.