South African Graduates Celebrate Management Qualification Milestone

Investing in people is investing in the future. At Hitachi Energy, developing the next generation of leaders is central to our commitment to advancing a sustainable energy future for all. This commitment was proudly reflected as eight participants from Hitachi Energy South Africa's graduate and early careers programs celebrated the successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Management Practice at the Henley Business School Graduation Ceremony on 21 July 2026.

This achievement highlights Hitachi Energy's continued focus on nurturing talent, strengthening leadership capabilities, and creating meaningful growth opportunities that empower individuals to make a lasting impact, both within our organization and across the energy industry.

Designed for aspiring and emerging leaders, the Higher Certificate in Management Practice equips participants with essential management and leadership capabilities, combining practical business knowledge with interpersonal skills required to thrive in supervisory and entry-level management roles. The programme empowers graduates with the confidence, mindset, and competencies needed to lead teams, drive collaboration, and contribute to business success.

This year's cohort reflects the diverse talent that powers Hitachi Energy, with participants representing functions including Finance, Project Management, Project Administration, Communications, and Systems Analytics. Demonstrating exceptional commitment and academic excellence, five of the eight graduates achieved distinctions, underscoring the calibre and dedication of our early-career professionals.

Completing the qualification while maintaining the responsibilities of their day-to-day roles required exceptional dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Balancing demanding work commitments with assignments, examinations, group projects, and late-night study sessions, the graduates demonstrated a strong commitment to their personal and professional growth.

For many graduates, one of the highlights of the journey was the sense of accomplishment that came from successfully balancing professional responsibilities with the rigorous demands of academic study. Their achievement reflects not only their determination and resilience, but also the support network that surrounded them throughout the programme. Managers, mentors, and colleagues played an important role in encouraging participants and providing the flexibility and guidance needed to succeed. Together, this combination of individual commitment and organizational support enabled the graduates to excel both in the workplace and in their studies.

The programme forms part of Hitachi Energy's broader talent development strategy, which creates pathways for graduates, interns, apprentices, and early-career professionals to gain real-world experience while contributing to projects that support the energy transition. Through initiatives such as the global Power+ Graduate Program, participants are given the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, build practical skills, and develop the leadership capabilities required to shape the future of the industry. 

At Hitachi Energy, early-career development extends beyond workplace experience. It is about attracting and developing future leaders who are driven by purpose, innovation, and a passion for sustainable energy. By investing in learning, mentorship, and professional development, we are building a strong and diverse talent pipeline that supports both individual career growth and long-term business success.

This initiative also demonstrates our belief that leadership development is a long-term investment in people and organizational capability. The knowledge, experience, and confidence gained through the programme create lasting value for both the participants and the business, strengthening our future leadership bench while equipping individuals with skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.

Notably, this year's sponsored participants included graduate employees, a permanent team leader from the Accounts function, and two former graduates whose contracts had concluded but who continued to receive support to complete the qualification. This reflects Hitachi Energy's people-first culture and our commitment to investing in talent beyond immediate business needs.

Congratulations to Our Graduates 
 

• Emanuel Peete Maboya

• Fikile Lekgema

• Karabo Kgatle

• Mokgaetji-Rosina Moloantoa 

• Noluthando-Precious Mabuza

• Ompha Mashapha

• Seboye Matlou

• Unathi-Nelisiwe Mpila