Our Impact
in Action

Nutun and the iThemba Trust, in partnership with HeadStart Kids, recently handed over an upgraded soup kitchen in Malatjie, a township just past Lanseria. The soup kitchen serves around 200 meals a day and plays an important role in providing nourishment, care, and dignity to children, families, and community members who rely on it. Through this initiative, the kitchen was transformed into a fully functioning, clean, and hygienic space, complete with gas-installed stoves, electricity, new pots, sinks, and plumbing. The handover brought together Nutun teams, community leaders, HeadStart Kids, Ma’am Lerato from Ngizweni Schools, Trevor Maluleke, and local children for a meaningful day of partnership, celebration, and impact.

At Phikiswayo Primary School in Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Ithemba proudly supported the launch of Nutun’s One Agent One Child literacy initiative in partnership with Project Literacy. Through the rollout of Funda Sizwane – meaning “Read with Meaning” – the programme responds to South Africa’s literacy challenge, where 82% of Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning. The launch event brought together school leadership, representatives from the Department of Education, Project Literacy, Nutun executives, tutors and learners in a powerful show of collaboration and shared purpose. Despite the rain, the day was filled with energy and emotion — from inspiring addresses by community leaders to heartfelt performances by the learners — marking the beginning of a meaningful journey to strengthen literacy, confidence and opportunity for children in KwaMashu.

In May 2023, in partnership with Mellon Educate, Nutun proudly launched its first literacy initiative, One Agent One Child, at Natest Primary school in Phoenix, Durban. The program supports Grade 1 to Grade 4 learners who are struggling to read, helping them build the foundational literacy skills they need to thrive. For every international agent, Nutun gives the gift of literacy to one child—making a difference one agent, one child at a time. Since its launch, the initiative has already reached over 2,000 learners, established nine literacy hubs, and is expanding further with an additional program starting soon in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal.

At the start of 2026, we are incredibly proud to celebrate our first group of Shadow Programme graduates. Through the programme, these young professionals gained valuable insight into the call centre environment, developing practical skills and the confidence needed to step into the world of work. More than just learning processes, they discovered what it truly means to show up with heart, purpose and professionalism.

We are equally proud of our partnership with Shadow Global and everything we have accomplished together in creating meaningful career opportunities for the youth of South Africa. Creating jobs does more than provide employment — it creates a ripple effect of positive impact within families and communities. When young people gain sustainable employment, they are empowered to support their households, inspire their peers and contribute to local economic growth. By investing in skills development and long-term career pathways, we are helping to build stronger communities and a more inclusive, resilient workforce for the future.

In November 2025, Nutun partnered with Mellon Educate at Building Blitz 2025 in Cape Town, where our Nutunites joined volunteers from across South Africa and abroad to build and renovate classrooms, sanitation facilities, playgrounds, and other essential school infrastructure in under-resourced communities. Together, we helped create safer, stronger learning environments so children can access the education they deserve. As Mazwi reflected, “My heart is on fire with a burning desire because of the seeds sown in my heart by so many people… this showed me what is possible when we come together for our communities.”

In September 2025, Nutun was privileged to celebrate the 117th Shadow Global (“Shadow”) class graduation, as this inspiring group stepped into permanent careers with us. From the first day of training to this milestone moment, each graduate demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and the courage to seize opportunity. As one message at the ceremony captured so powerfully: “I’m proud of you for adapting to change, showing up, and having the courage to say: I will take this opportunity. And you did.” Our partnership with Shadow Global is built on a shared belief that real impact comes from empowering youth through sustainable, meaningful career pathways—and at Nutun, we’re proud to help unlock potential and support long-term growth.

On Mandela Day 2025, the Nutun Sandton team dedicated their 67 Minutes to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. In Partnership with Afrika Tikkun and Ubuhlebezwe, our employees came together to prepare sandwiches using 500 loaves of bread, demonstrating the power of collective action. These meals were distributed to children and families in underserved communities, ensuring that our contribution reached those who needed it most. The initiative reflects Nutun’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable impact and uplifting the communities we serve.

On Mandela Day 2025, our Durban teams came together at Natest Primary School to make a meaningful and lasting difference. Employees rolled up their sleeves to enhance the school’s sustainability efforts through gardening, planting herbs and vegetables, as well as painting and completing essential building improvements where needed. This initiative not only revitalised the school environment but also contributed to creating a more sustainable and nurturing space for learners. Through these collective efforts, we are helping to build a lasting impact for the children and the broader community.

In May 2025, iThemba Trust facilitated a meaningful infrastructure investment from Nutun SA to improve water supply in the Malatjie informal settlement area near Lanseria Airport. The project upgraded existing water systems and installed JoJo tanks at four Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, ensuring more reliable access to clean water for 140 children and staff. Beyond supporting daily learning and hygiene needs, the improved water supply sustains a feeding scheme that provides meals to 200 people each day. In addition, 157 community members now have safe, nearby access to water through the installed tanks - significantly reducing the distance they need to travel to collect this essential resource. This initiative reflects our commitment to practical, community-driven solutions that strengthen wellbeing and enable sustainable development.

Our Nutun Durban branch led a meaningful Cancer Awareness drive, rallying colleagues to support CANSA by selling awareness ribbons across the business. The initiative was a great success, with Nutun raising over R20,000 in support of CANSA’s vital work. The team proudly handed over the cheque, marking not just a fundraising milestone, but a powerful moment of combined action and awareness within our organisation. An incredible initiative that reflects the heart of our people - congratulations to everyone involved.

In 2024, a team of Nutunites travelled to Khayelitsha, Cape Town, to take part in Mellon Educate’s Building Blitz - an ambitious initiative focused on building and completing a school in just seven days. Partnering with Mellon Educate and joined by volunteers from the UK, the team helped construct classrooms and playgrounds to ensure children have safe, inspiring spaces to learn and grow. Designed to create sustainable, long-term impact, the experience was both humbling and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together with purpose.

On 18 June 2023, a group of Nutunites came together to uplift Nokhupila School in Tembisa, dedicating their time to painting the school’s facilities and fences, and preparing and handing over stationery packs to the school. Facilitated by The Love Trust, this Mandela Day initiative reflected our deep commitment to expanding access to quality education for those who need it most. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In just 67 minutes, our team helped create a ripple of impact that will support learning far beyond the day itself.

In May 2023, Nutun celebrated its very first Shadow Careers Graduation and the launch of the first Shadow programme in KwaZulu-Natal within the Nutun offices. Now known as Shadow Global, the programme exists to transform youth unemployment into meaningful, sustainable careers by combining skills training, mentorship, and permanent job placement with like-hearted employers. Since launching at Nutun, more than 200 graduates have completed the programme and started their careers at Nutun. The impact reaches far beyond each individual—every person employed can potentially support up to six people in their household, creating a powerful ripple effect of hope, stability, and opportunity for communities and the youth of South Africa.