YOUTH EXPO OPENS DOORS TO CAREER AND SKILLS OPPORTUNITIES IN EASTERN CAPE

By Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane

• A careers expo provided the young people of Sheshegu Village in the Eastern Cape with the opportunity to learn about different career paths and gain knowledge that can help shape their future.
• Formally opening the expo today, Deputy Minister for Social Development Ganief Hendricks described the initiative as an investment in the future of young people and a practical response to unemployment and limited access to opportunities, particularly in rural communities.
• The event is one of the activities leading up to Youth Month and the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 Youth Uprisings.

Young people from Sheshegu Village near Alice in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality gathered on Thursday, 4 June 2026, for a youth career and services expo aimed at connecting them with education, training and employment opportunities.

The Eastern Cape event brought together government departments, educational institutions, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), financial institutions and development partners, offering career guidance, skills development opportunities and information on support programmes available to young people.

Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks officially opened the expo.

The event forms part of activities leading up to Youth Month and the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 Youth Uprisings, honouring the role young people played in South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy.

Addressing learners, out-of-school youth, traditional leaders, community representatives and other stakeholders, Hendricks described the initiative as an investment in the future of young people and a practical response to unemployment and limited access to opportunities, particularly in rural communities.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to this village’s youth organisation that approached our ministry to organise and manage this significant expo,” the deputy minister said.

“They highlighted the need for an intervention that would assist young people to make informed career choices and help them decide what paths they would like to pursue in the years ahead.”

The deputy minister said the Department of Social Development responded positively to the request, recognising the high levels of unemployment facing young people across the country.

“Our social development staff agreed that it was a timely request considering the joblessness and the high unemployment rate countrywide. This expo should therefore be viewed as a direct response to that call,” he said.

Held under the theme, “Creating skills opportunities, career path openings”, the expo sought to expose young people to a wide range of education, training and employment opportunities.

“This day is not merely an event; it should be viewed and understood as an investment in the future.

“Through this expo, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that no young woman or man is left behind. Each young person should leave here empowered with relevant information, useful guidance and accessible opportunities,” Hendricks said.

He encouraged young people to make the most of the opportunities presented at the expo and use the platform to make informed decisions about their future.

“Today I see young people with opportunities that many of us never had. I encourage them to embrace these opportunities with open arms and not delay.

“An expo such as this does not take place in our villages regularly. Here, young people have an opportunity to explore different career paths and gain knowledge that can help shape their future,” he said.

Recognising the unique challenges faced by rural youth, the deputy minister said the expo was designed to bring opportunities directly to communities where access to information and services is often limited.

“We know that many young people, particularly those living in rural communities, face significant challenges in pursuing careers because there are limited opportunities to choose from. That is why we partnered with government departments, non-governmental organisations and various institutions to demonstrate that opportunities for growth, learning and employment are vast,” he said.

The expo brought all role players together under one roof, giving young people direct access to information, services and opportunities.

Throughout the day, participants received information on career choices and subject selection, university and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) college opportunities, bursaries and scholarships, learnerships and apprenticeships, artisan development programmes, internships, entrepreneurship support and government services aimed at youth development.

“I encourage our young men and women to actively engage with the exhibitors by visiting each stand, asking questions, collecting information and registering on available databases. Do not leave this venue without being armed with knowledge and information. Opportunities such as this do not come often,” he said.

A key focus of the expo was financial literacy and economic empowerment. Hendricks stressed the importance of equipping young people with practical skills to manage their finances responsibly and build sustainable futures.

“Financial literacy is a life skill. Understanding how to budget, save, avoid unnecessary debt, protect yourself from scams and make informed financial decisions will help you build a secure future,” he said.

He also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to explore opportunities related to enterprise development support, business registration, funding opportunities, mentorship programmes and market access initiatives showcased during the event.

“As elders, we have a duty to encourage young people not only to seek employment but also to become job creators. Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment that supports youth development, skills development, employment creation and entrepreneurship,” he said.

The deputy minister emphasised that empowering young people requires collaboration between government, the private sector, educational institutions, civil society organisations, families and communities.

“Today’s expo demonstrates a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and prosperous society,” he said.

In a message of encouragement, Hendricks urged young people to believe in themselves and their potential.

“Your background does not determine your future. Your circumstances do not define your potential. Your dreams are valid, and your future is full of possibilities. Most importantly, remember that success begins with making informed decisions and taking action,” he said.

Hendricks expressed confidence that participants would leave the expo with new knowledge, valuable networks and renewed confidence to pursue their aspirations.

“I hope that when you leave this expo today, you will have found a career path to be skilled and empowered. I also hope that you leave this venue with new knowledge, innovative opportunities, fresh networks and renewed confidence in your ability to shape your own future,” he said.

He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to continue investing in young people and creating opportunities that will contribute to the country’s development.

“Together, let us build a generation of young people who are skilled, informed, financially capable, entrepreneurial and ready to contribute to the development of our country,” he said.

The deputy minister also thanked Department of Social Development officials and all stakeholders whose collective efforts made the youth career and services expo possible, describing the initiative as an important step towards creating pathways to opportunity for the youth of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality and surrounding communities.