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The Rising Star Programme, operated by BlackBark Productions, has been established for the purposes of recognising, celebrating and connecting young talented people who have a capacity for achievement and success and who contribute in an inspirational manner to the future of our nation. The qualities that elevate Rising Stars to the top go beyond performance and technical excellence. Rising Stars are polished, brilliant individuals with tremendous promise and great talent who excel for reasons that go far beyond their technical abilities alone.

Talented people make things happen, are highly committed to achieving goals, innovate very rapidly, and create a great deal of value (for companies and/or themselves) when their talent is spotted and harnessed.

The Programme aims to be a significant and sustainable vehicle through which organisations, our country and our continent can identify and nurture these “organisational and national assets” who are set to play a key role in shaping the future of our country and our continent.

The Rising Star Programme is establishing a living community of young African talent that will be developed, mentored and provided with platforms for development and communication, therefore enabling them to become role models, opinion leaders and the inspiration for other future African Talent.

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Mozee Khan	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Boitumelo Lekalakala	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Vinolia Direro	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ondela Mlandu	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
David Jenkins	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ibtishaam	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thobile Dlamini	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nomathemba Precious Sigudla	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gerald Mariemuthoo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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ANTONIO LUCIANO	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emily Ntuli	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Millicent Marule	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mathews Motswi	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kelebone Mofokeng	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Darren Meltz	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Nqobile Mnisi	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Yolin Naidoo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Noxolo Msiya	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nozipho Ngcobo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mozee Khan	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fezile Nqiwa	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Boitumelo Lekalakala	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Moleboheng Mokhele - Ramulumo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thobile Dlamini	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ayanda Junior Ntombela	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vinolia Direro	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ondela Mlandu	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
David Jenkins	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ibtishaam	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nomathemba Precious Sigudla	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gerald Mariemuthoo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lauren Dixon-Paver	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Zimkhita Sokanyile	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ANTONIO LUCIANO	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emily Ntuli	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mashudu Nemutamvuni	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mei Lee	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Millicent Marule	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Mathews Motswi	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ketsitseng Kebile	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kelebone Mofokeng	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nothando Mdletshe	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Darren Meltz	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Darren Meltz

I believe that social responsibility and profitability are compatible	Consistently
I expect that all employees will be honest and ethical and I set the example	Consistently
I can be trusted with a confidence and admit my mistakes	Consistently
I share information to ensure that others can benefit and we can collaborate well	Consistently
I respect others and ensure that it is safe for them to be involved and to express their ideas and opinions	Consistently
I am involved in external projects which promote social prosperity and impact	Consistently
I give my time generously to support the efforts of my team	Consistently
I show my colleagues that I care about them by listening and helping them to solve problems	Consistently
I let people know what decisions they can make and show support by checking in on progress	Consistently
I interact with colleagues across the business to ensure that we deliver on customer expectations	Consistently

Please provide examples of how you have shown responsible engagement in your career (Approx 100-300 words)
Responsible engagement has been fundamental to how I have built and led SecretEATS, ensuring that growth benefits all stakeholders within the hospitality ecosystem. I have prioritised building ethical, transparent and mutually beneficial relationships with chefs, suppliers and partners. SecretEATS operates on a collaborative model that allows chefs to retain creative ownership while providing them with access to new audiences, fair compensation and commercial exposure. This has enabled chefs to test concepts, build confidence and grow sustainable careers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I acted quickly to support vulnerable industry professionals by launching digital dining experiences and charity-driven initiatives. These efforts generated income for chefs, supported hospitality workers and raised funds for charitable organisations, reinforcing my commitment to social responsibility beyond commercial outcomes. It is also SecretEATS' firm commitment to give back at every event we host. We raise funds for a host of local charities - StreetSmart South Africa, Johannesburg Queer Chorus and CHOC to name a few. I have also developed trusted partnerships with global organisations, ensuring that collaborations are structured to create shared value while elevating local culinary talent. These partnerships have expanded opportunities for chefs while strengthening SecretEATS’ long-term sustainability. Responsible engagement also extends to the guest experience. I have built a brand founded on trust, discretion and consistency, resulting in high guest retention and long-term loyalty. Through mentorship, collaboration and ethical leadership, I have created a culture of mutual respect, accountability and shared success, ensuring that SecretEATS contributes positively to individuals, the hospitality industry and the broader creative economy.

Mozee Khan	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fezile Nqiwa	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Boitumelo Lekalakala	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Boitumelo Lekalakala	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thobile Dlamini	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Moleboheng Mokhele - Ramulumo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ayanda Junior Ntombela	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vinolia Direro	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ondela Mlandu	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
David Jenkins	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ibtishaam	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nomathemba Precious Sigudla	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gerald Mariemuthoo	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lauren Dixon-Paver	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Zimkhita Sokanyile	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mei Lee	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ANTONIO LUCIANO	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emily Ntuli	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mashudu Nemutamvuni	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amanda Gebra Nkoe	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vinolia Direro	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Millicent Marule	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Botlhale Mokone	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nothando Mdletshe	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mathews Motswi	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ketsitseng Kebile	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kelebone Mofokeng	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Darren Meltz	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thandokuhle Msibi	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Reema Singh	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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About Rising Star

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