Tsakani – Esihlahleni Youth Career Day hosted its second annual career expo in partnership with the Mkhwanazi Foundation on August 7 at Jehovah Shamah Esihlahleni.

The expo was attended by about 300 learners from Mamellong Comprehensive School, JE Malepe Secondary School, Geluksdal Secondary School and Phumlani Secondary School.

The founder and organiser, Pilot Nkadimeng Nkadimeng, reflected on the growth since the expo’s first edition.

“I see the growth in the interest of the calibre of companies that we had from last year and the interest from the schools.

“It means something when schools still want their learners to engage in these sorts of things; it shows us that we did something right the previous year,” he said.

Nkadimeng spoke about this year’s theme, “Not everyone sees it yet.”

“This year we wanted to be more intentional. That speaks to the potential that exists in the township and the fact that they are often overlooked, misread and misunderstood.

“There are companies that don’t typically look at township markets as a viable option, but we want to highlight that the youngsters may be from the township, experiencing challenges, but they have talents and potential, and we need you to look at them with the correct lens,” Nkadimeng said.

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He also talked about the importance of learners being in contact with companies and guest speakers.

“The exposure is important. We want them to be recognised; we want them to see themselves in the guest speakers.

“There are people in prominent positions in their fields, and it’s crucial for the learners to see those people in their space so they know that they can reach those milestones as well,” he said.

YFM presenter and media personality Barbara Moagi was among the guest speakers. To start her talk, she did an activity where she instructed the learners to close their eyes and imagine the future they want.

“If you could be anything you wanted to be, what does that look like for you? What are you wearing, driving and eating?

“This is about you and your dream; feel the emotions of what it would feel like to wake up in that dream life and then open your eyes,” she said.

Four learners, Bokang Nkhoma, Thandolwethu Hlongwane, Kokotso Manel and Kamohelo Maduna joined Moagi on stage to share their dream careers.

“Every single person here has a dream that is so vulnerable and scary that it can feel embarrassing to tell it to others, but you need to know that dreaming big requires you to be audacious,” she said.

She told her story of how she went from being a top student throughout primary and secondary school, how at some point she had to pay her own varsity fees while juggling multiple jobs, and how she moved from the Engineering space to the entertainment industry.

“The people that you see online that you deem successful have stories of struggle that are hidden.

“To get the life you want, you need to start building evidence that you have been putting in the work. Let your life show that you are ready for your dream career,” Moagi said.

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