These seven lucky students were Colleen Leygonie (University of Stellenbosch), Nicola Meyer (University of Cape Town), Raidah Vaid (University of Cape Town), Simphiwe Mdakane (University of Cape Town), Yaseen Schrueder (University of Cape Town), Taariq Rawoot (University of Cape Town) and Stanley Tack (University of Pretoria).

They were this year’s winners of Unilever’s Integrated Business Management Challenge (IBMC). They were chosen based on their performance during the IBMC event which a 2 ½ day business management challenge is. The IBMC programme is part of Unilever’s aim to develop and grow talented graduates in the country.

The four-day trip enabled the students to learn from senior members of Unilever’s regional teams based in Singapore as well interact with management trainees from other parts of the world and share experiences. They were also given the opportunity to visit the local traders and markets to get an understanding of different business environments. “Unilever believes in investing in people and their learning, thereby helping them realise their full potential. This programme is designed to expose university students to the realities of the business environment while letting them experience firsthand how a global business like Unilever operates” said Ntwani Shilubane, talent manager, Unilever South Africa.

“Wow! I never thought it was possible to absorb as much information as I did in four days. From the culture of the people in Singapore, to business on a global scale, and then a combination of global business but in a South African and a Singaporean context! The highlight of the trip for me was realising that the atmosphere and culture that over whelmed me in Durban, is not unique to Durban, but rather unique to Unilever, worldwide!” said Nicola Meyer from University of Cape Town.

According to Ntwani, “Skill shortage is a growing issue in South Africa and as a company that has been here for over 100 years, Unilever sees this programme as an investment into our future. We believe that it is programmes like these that will help our youth bridge the gap between what they learn at universities and what will be expected from them at work.” According to Nicola, “I experienced a strong culture of uplifting and investing in people, and instilling in them a passion for success. I left feeling inspired and motivated to be a part of Unilever - one day!”

Colleen Leygonie, from University of Stellenbosch said, “The values that Unilever stands for globally and locally are people centred – emphasis is on making a profit not on destroying the world in the process but making it better place and standing up for what we believe in. These are values that I live by and hence could see myself working for this company.”

Unilever is accredited as one of South Africa’s Best Employers. The company was voted the Number 1 graduate employer in the FMCG sector and fourth overall in the Aspirational Employer of Choice in the South African Graduate Recruiters Association 2011 survey.

Applications for Unilever’s graduate programme are now opened. To apply, log onto www.careersatunilever.co.za.