Streetwise campaign supports families and students navigating financial pressure at the start of 2026. More than 46,000 children did not attend school in 2024 because of the cost, according to Children Count. And with matric results and the start of school around the corner, it’s the time of year when the costs of education loom large in parents’ minds. But help is at hand for 200 South African families. This month, KFC is giving away R5 million in education fees through its Streetwise “Originals Start Strong” campaign. The country’s biggest quick service restaurant brand is offering 200 families and students R24,000 each to help make educational dreams come true, and another 150,000 winners will receive airtime/data vouchers worth R25 each. The campaign, which runs until 9 February, targets the moment when financial strain is most acute for South African households, says Grant Macpherson, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at KFC Africa. “We know that January is when educational costs hit hardest. School fees are due, university and college registration open, and families are making difficult decisions about their children’s futures,” says Macpherson. “This campaign is about feeding the potential we see in South Africa’s young ‘Originals’, the ones who are determined to make something of themselves regardless of where they start.”
Talent meets opportunity
Originals Start Strong is anchored in KFC’s belief that while talent and ambition are evenly distributed, opportunity is not. By linking the giveaway to Streetwise, KFC’s most affordable meals, the brand is ensuring that access to this opportunity is as wide as possible. “Streetwise has always been the meal for people who use their smarts and grit to get ahead,” says Macpherson. “With this campaign, we’re saying: if you’ve got the drive, we’ll back you. All you need is a Streetwise meal and the ambition to start strong.” The timing is deliberate. School starts on 14 January, and with matric results due two days earlier, the immediate future will come into focus for thousands of young people. But for many, dreams mean little if they can’t pay the fees, and this campaign offers a lifeline.
A seat at the table
“Everyone deserves a seat at the table, and everyone deserves a shot at their educational goals,” says Macpherson.
“This isn’t about corporate social investment programmes with lengthy application processes. This is about meeting people where they are – at our counters, buying affordable meals – and giving them a real chance to win support that could change their trajectory.”
“ The Youth of Mzansi don’t wait for the conditions to be perfect, says Macpherson. “They start with what they have and push their way forward. January doesn’t have to be about anxiety and limitation. For 200 families and students, it’s going to be about possibility and momentum. That’s what you generate when you back Originals.”
Find the Originals Start Strong terms and conditions here.
About KFC Africa
KFC has been part of Africa’s story since 1971, when the first restaurant opened in Johannesburg. Today, with more than 1,500 restaurants across 22 sub-Saharan countries, it stands as the continent’s leading quick service restaurant brand and home of the Original Recipe® fried chicken that millions love. At KFC Africa, we feed more than hunger, we feed potential. Every meal served is part of a bigger purpose: creating a seat at the table for everyone and ensuring that potential isn’t just seen, it’s nurtured. That commitment comes to life through initiatives that make a measurable difference. Our Streetwise Academy, backed by Services SETA accreditation, equips team members with skills to thrive across frontline leadership, HR, and operations, achieving a 75% promotion and retention rate that proves the power of investing in people. Our Add Hope programme delivers over 30 million meals to vulnerable children each year, while Mini Cricket, South Africa’s largest grassroots sports programme, reaches more than 120,000 young players guided by 13,000 coaches. Beyond food, initiatives such as the Ikusasa Lethu scholarships and youth potential programmes across Africa open pathways to education, livelihoods, and brighter futures. With over 40,000 team members powering our business, KFC Africa is proud to be an employer of choice, officially certified as a Top Employer across Africa for excellence in people practices, leadership, and workplace culture. This recognition reflects our commitment to cultivating careers, fairness, and integrity while serving millions daily. Because when individuals rise, families strengthen. Communities grow. Nations transform. That’s the undeniable impact we are proud to serve.
