The University of Johannesburg hosted its inaugural Neurodiversity Career Fair recently.

It was supported by the Paul and Humile Mashatile Foundation, the Gauteng Department of Education and the Fathers of Children with Neurodiversity organisation.

The day was a mixture of vibrant and educational, with over 13 schools and skills centres represented to showcase the ways in which neurodivergent people can benefit from their services.

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The winners of the day were the young people who had the opportunity to see the world beyond what has been described as their limitations.

In his opening address, UJ vice-vhancellor and principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, highlighted the importance of the career fair in advancing the university’s mission.

“There are moments in our university life that transcend our academic routine. Moments where our mission to serve humanity finds its truest expression. Today is one of those moments.

“As we launch the first neurodiversity career fair, alongside the 2026 Mpedi Scholarship, we are not just opening doors. We are shattering glass ceilings that have, for too long, limited the horizons of our most gifted minds.

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“For many among us, the world is experienced through the lens of neurodivergence. Be it autism, ADHD, dyslexia or other unique cognitive profiles. For too long, society has viewed these differences as deficits.

“Today, we change that narrative. We are here to say neurodiversity is not a challenge to be managed, but an advantage to be celebrated,” Prof Mpedi said.

He gave heartfelt words of encouragement to the neurodivergent individuals and their loved ones.

“To our students and pupils who will benefit from this career fair and to those who will benefit from these bursaries awarded today, you belong here. Your perspective is essential. Do not feel the need to mask or conform to a world built for the typical. We are building a new world, and we are building it with you.”

The director of the centre for neurodiversity, Professor Maximus Sefotho, highlighted that one of the main values that underpin the career fair and would continue to do so, is Botho, which is a Sesotho word for Ubuntu.

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“Today, we are realising a dream. We are turning our talents into neuroentrepreneurship. This career fair, which we are launching today, reimagines traditional career development.

“This fair is a path of hope. It is a disruption of tradition for transformation and true societal impact, in line with our objectives at UJ. Through this career fair, we reenvision the selective career landscape towards neuro-inclusive career ecosystems.

“We want things to change, and we want neurodivergent individuals to be included.”

Along with the excitement created by the career fair was also the announcement of the prestigious Mpedi Family Scholarship for Neurodiversity Studies cohort for 2026.

The scholarship is for Master’s in Education: Inclusive Education students studying at UJ and focusing their research on neurodiversity. This year, there are five recipients of the bursaries.