Upington - Young people from schools across the Northern Cape have gathered at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium, in Upington, to explore opportunities that can improve their lives for a better future.
On a cold Saturday morning, ahead of the youth development and career expo, held in Upington, SAnews spoke to young scholars about their post matric and future plans.
Shurdne Vivashe, 19, of G.S. Rietfontein Combined School, outside Upington, hopes that the expo will help him get more information about opportunities available in the province and nationally.
“I need to know which direction I can take to secure a successful future. I also want specific information on what I need to do if I want to join South African National Defence Force or the South African Police Services,” said Vivashe, who is currently doing Grade 11.
He said it would also be nice to find out what other alternative options he can explore.
Another scholar, who was excited to be at the expo, Angel Malan, hoped that the expo will help enlighten her future plans.
“I want to study law after matric. I do have knowledge but I want to know more about my ideal career and I think this is a platform for me to acquire as much information as I can,” she said.
Malan said she has no plans to leave her province after obtaining her law qualifications, as she wants to serve her community.
“I think there are enough opportunities for me in my province, I don’t need to go anywhere else just to be successful,” she said.
The programme takes place during youth month, and today Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the Youth Development and Career Expo.
According to the Presidency, the Youth Expo is a platform where national, provincial and local government together with private sector partners showcase opportunities available to young people in education, training and entrepreneurship.
The Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by Minister of Women in the Presidency, Susan Shabangu; Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele; Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson; Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, youth development, ButiManamela; Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana; Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Northern Cape Premier Silvia Lucas.
“Private-sector partners at the Expo include, amongst others, Microsoft SA, Kellogg's SA, Coca Cola SA, Vodacom SA, MTN and De Beers, SENTECH, SAB Miller and the Information Technology Association (ITA).
“The Expo will take place under the theme, ‘Youth moving South Africa forward’, which is the theme for Youth Month 2016, and it serves as a call for young people to determine their destiny and seize the opportunities provided by government and the private sector,” said the Presidency.
The Presidency said this is a call on young people to contribute towards building a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa. -SAnews.gov.za
