Germiston Stadium came alive with energy as young people from across Ekurhuleni gathered for the Youth Community Fair 2026 on June 19.

The initiative is aimed at connecting them with employment, skills development, health services and civic engagement opportunities.

The event, hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni’s Youth Directorate, formed part of the city’s Youth Month programme and was attended by representatives from government departments, corporate partners, NPOs, members of the media and scores of young people.

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Addressing the crowd, the city said the fair was designed as a one-stop platform where young people could access practical services and leave with something tangible.

The programme offered different zones focusing on employment services, entrepreneurship support, skills training, social development assistance and health services.

The city mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said the aim was for every young person who attended to walk away with a submitted application, a health screening, business registration support or information that could help them take the next step in their personal or professional journey.

“The gathering came as the country continued to mark Youth Month and reflect on the sacrifices made by the youth of 1976, who stood against oppression.”

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The city said honouring that legacy meant ensuring that today’s young people do not have to fight for their futures alone.

The Youth Community Fair followed the Ekurhuleni Youth Assembly, which was hosted by the Youth Directorate the previous week and marked the launch of the Youth Policy review process.

According to the mayor, youth unemployment remains one of Gauteng’s most serious challenges, with many qualified and ambitious young people still struggling to find space in the economy.

He said the current administration was committed to reversing this trend by creating opportunities and strengthening partnerships that directly benefit young people.

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“Since April 2024, the city has generated nearly 10 000 work opportunities, many of which were aimed at youth. It also highlighted the relaunch of its bursary scheme, with R15m targeted at critical skills.

“New job opportunities for cleaners and security guards were also announced as part of the city’s efforts to expand access to employment.

“For young aspiring business owners, the city encouraged applications for the Ekurhuleni Entrepreneurship Programme, which is aimed at supporting youth-owned businesses.

“The programme, which ran from June 22 to 26, formed part of efforts to help young entrepreneurs formalise, grow and sustain their businesses.”

The city also said it was working to regulate tuckshops and spaza shops to ensure that they meet community standards.

“Local businesses have also received support through stock and training to help them operate more effectively,” said Xhakaza.

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Innovation was another key focus of the fair, with the city highlighting its AI Hackathons, which have introduced hundreds of young people to new technology.

The launch of the CISCO Networking Academy was also noted as a step towards giving young people access to free, internationally recognised IT courses.

Looking ahead, Xhakaza said the city remained committed to establishing an Ekurhuleni Science and Innovation Park, which would encourage collaboration between businesses, research institutions and young innovators.

As the country prepares for the Local Government Elections on November 4, young people were also urged to register to vote and participate in shaping the future of their communities.

Xhakaza said voting remained one of the most important ways for young people to make their voices heard and influence decisions that affect their lives.

“The message to the youth was clear: Ekurhuleni sees them, believes in them and is committed to investing in their futures,” said Xhakaza.

The Youth Community Fair was described as part of Ekurhuleni’s “Season of Hope”, aimed at accelerating service delivery, restoring accountability and investing in the future of young people.