Thembisa Career Expo empowers youth with jobs and skills

The Career and Entrepreneurship Expo Day, hosted on August 23 at AFM Church in Emfuyayeng Section, once again provided students, job seekers, and professionals with a valuable platform to connect with industry leaders, academic institutions, and potential employers.

Now in its sixth year, the event organised by the Izithelo ZeNkosi Foundation has become a key driver of youth empowerment in Thembisa.

The expo creates opportunities for networking, career development, and skills enhancement through workshops, masterclasses, and coaching sessions.

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It also gives young people access to job openings, internships, and learnerships.

The 2024 edition attracted more than 250 participants, and this year’s event received equally strong support from businesses, learners, and job seekers.

Reflecting on the journey, the foundation’s chairperson Thulani Kuaho said that hosting the event has brought both growth and challenges.

“Over the past six years, we’ve seen increased attendance, stronger networking, and greater adaptation to changing industry demands.

“But we’ve also faced challenges such as securing sufficient funding, managing logistics, and meeting attendee expectations. Despite that, the expo continues to create an impact.”

This year’s highlight was the focus on tourism, with learners from the Tembisa School of Specialisation engaging directly with companies such as South African Airways, Harvey World Travel, and City Lodge Hotels.

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Many learners walked away with industry insights and potential job and internship opportunities.

Looking ahead, the foundation plans to build on its success by exploring new partnerships, expanding the reach of the programme beyond Thembisa, and developing follow-up initiatives to assess its long-term impact.

“As the Izithelo ZeNkosi Foundation, we aim to empower the next generation,” Kuaho said.

“Through collaboration and support, we can drive positive change and create a brighter future for our youth.”