The Newcastle Municipality has set the stage for yet another successful career guidance programme in the region, following a thorough evaluation on the progression of the biggest Youth Career Expo in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Since its inception in 2022, the Career Expo has been christened as the “largest youth development gathering”, owing to its successful results, the expo has begot great results that saw the District’s matric results rise in a scarcely faltering upward trajectory since 2022.
The matric results took a massive hike from 79.9 percent in 2022 to 87 percent in 2024, with the intention being to reach a 100 percent pass rate, and with the expo it seems reachable. Amajuba District took first place in mathematics and superseded all other districts in South Africa.
This initiative formed a component of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to usher in a new era of youth development, skills, and empowerment campaigns. Thousands of matriculants, businesses enthusiasts, country’s leading institutions of higher learning, sector departments, leading companies, and key economic drivers assembled in one area with the intention of providing students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with professionals.
Newcastle Municipality Mayor Xolani Dube reiterated the administration’s commitments of targeting core contributors which have in the past ,led to youth dissatisfaction, high levels of crimes among certain youth groups and lack of educational insight. Dube swiftly adopted the Youth Career Expo into the IDP in a bid to combat these social ills which continue to plague the youth.
After expert advice and development study-based outcomes, the municipality embarked on a daring feat which saw the launch and adoption of this annual event. As part of the municipality’s vision 2035 which seeks to make Newcastle the preferred business destination due to its geographic location, the entity said that it strongly believes the goal is better achieved by involving the youth.
Hundreds of youth arrived at Farmers Hall from 26 February with the aim of receiving career guidance for the future. Mbali Mhlongo, a Grade 11 learner from Hope High School said that she appreciated the Career Expo as it exposed many to career opportunities. “Many of the learners here come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and it is time that we break the cycle of poverty and social ills within our communities. Surprisingly, many still do not have internet access or greater subject choices than those learners in private schools, so this Expo serves as an opportunity to broaden our vision ,” said Mbali.
She said that there should be no difference between private and public schooling. “Many parents cannot afford the cost of private schooling. I do feel that those in private schools often have access to career counselling and support that those in public schools don’t often get. It is a sad reality, that is why I am extremely thankful for this career expo as I come from a single parent household and we only just manage to get by,” she said.
Mbali added that she would like to follow a career in occupational therapy for children as many suffer with emotional and sensory issues and she would like to make a difference.
