Ululations, tears of joy and standing ovations: over 560 learners across nine KZN Zululand schools were being celebrated for academic excellence and their positive contribution as Nyala’s Pride with Purpose campaign wraps up a programme that has reached 11 483 young people since September 2025.
When the first names of winners of the Nyala Pride with Purpose academic awards were read out at Masibonisane High School in Mtubatuba, the applause from fellow learners was immediate and heartfelt. Classmates cheered. Educators wiped tears. And the award recipients walked back to their seats knowing their hard work had been seen.
Scenes like these played out across KwaZulu-Natal’s Zululand region this February as Nyala’s Pride with Purpose campaign entered its final and most emotionally charged phase: a series of Recognition and Reward ceremonies honouring academic achievement and positive contribution at nine high schools across Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe and Nongoma.
In total, 567 learners were recognised, with the top three academic achievers in Grades 11 and 12 at each school receiving stationery hampers including scientific calculators, branded backpacks, certificates and Nyala food hampers. The Top 10 learners across all five grades at each high school were awarded stationery hampers, certificates, drawstring bags, and Nyala food hampers – reaching 450 learners. And finally, in a category that resonated deeply with educators, 90 learners were honoured with dedicated Behaviour Rewards for demonstrating growth from leadership skills, positive conduct and community values.
“What we’ve seen at these ceremonies is the real heartbeat of this campaign,” says Phumzile Nhlapo, Premier Senior Brand Manager: Maize, Breakfast and Pasta. “You can present a learner with a certificate, but the moment their classmates start cheering for them – that’s when the message lands. Their hard work matters. And Nyala is here, in their community, to say: we see you, we’re proud of you and we believe in your future.”
She adds that the Behaviour Rewards category was a deliberate choice: “We didn’t want this to be purely about marks. Educators told us during our needs analysis that character and conduct matter just as much – and we listened. When a learner receives a badge for being a positive influence in their classroom, it sends a powerful signal to every other young person watching.”
The Recognition and Reward ceremonies were the culmination of a campaign that has touched tens of thousands of lives since launching in September 2025. Developed with the community for the community, Nyala’s Pride with Purpose unfolded across three interconnected phases; each designed to celebrate Zulu heritage while addressing the real socio-economic barriers facing young people in the region.
“Our campaign began with the traditional isiZulu dance competition in September, which drew 689 attendees across community halls in Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe and Nongoma – celebrating cultural heritage and pride in an inspiring way,” explains Nhlapo. Five schools per region competed, with winning schools each receiving R10 000 in infrastructure upgrades they chose themselves: a new gate and fence for Nkanyiso High School in Hluhluwe; school hall ceiling boards for Nhlanhlayethu High School in Nongoma; and a colour printer for Masibonisane High School in Mtubatuba.”
This was followed by Nyala’s Weekend and Holiday School Support programme, which ran from September through to the end of the school year. “This ensured that 1 493 Grade 11 learners across nine schools received R50k worth of Nyala instant porridge and Amahewu: ensuring they started the day with the right nourishment to be able to concentrate while preparing for their final examinations,” says Samukelo Nkosi, Premier’s Regional Community Development Specialist for KwaZulu-Natal. The programme also distributed 1 800 past exam papers across 10 subjects, nearly 10 000 BIC pens, and branded bowls and spoons, providing critical academic resources in communities where such materials are often out of reach.
“You could see the shift happening in real time,” adds Nkosi, who has been on the ground throughout the campaign. “The dance competition ignited a new energy and cultural pride. The holiday support gave learners practical help when they needed it most, and now with these ceremonies, we’re closing the circle – showing these young people that when they put in the work, their community and their brand are right there to celebrate with them.”
He notes that the ripple effect has been remarkable: “Educators and parents have rallied around this programme. Traditional leaders have attended events. When one learner is recognised, it motivates an entire classroom. That is exactly the kind of sustainable, lasting change we set out to achieve.”
The Nyala Pride with Purpose ceremonies were hosted on a rolling schedule, with each school hosting its own event: Mtubatuba from 11 to 13 February, Hluhluwe from 18 to 20 February, and Nongoma from 25 to 27 February. Inspirational speakers at the ceremonies included acclaimed KZN entrepreneur Kwazini Zulu and Thabile Mwandla, a renowned clinical technologist from KwaMaphumulo. Both reminded learners of the power of where they came from and encouraged them to remain focused on their dreams – using their own stories to remind them what was possible.
“As an authentic KwaZulu-Natal brand, Nyala has always been about more than what’s on the table: it’s about who’s around it, and what future we’re building together,” says Nhlapo. “Pride with Purpose has shown us that when you invest in young people as future ‘proud providers’ with authenticity and respect, the impact goes far beyond any single campaign. We can’t wait to build on this foundation in the years ahead and live true to Nyala’s brand purpose to nurture and preserve that Zulu pride for the next generation of proud providers.”