WeeklySA_AdminCHOICE: More than 300 learners in Upington for a career guidance initiative aimed at opening pathways beyond traditional professions and aligning education with industry needs…
By Nhlanhla Mbatha
Upington’s Northern Cape Rural TVET College was a beehive of activity on Thursday when over 300 high school learners converged inside the college’s hall for a day-long comprehensive career exhibition and guidance event.
Organised jointly by the Wholesale & Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) and the provincial Office of the Premier, the initiative was specifically designed to bridge the information gap for learners in rural communities from the province’s five municipal districts, namely Frances Baard, Pixley kaSeme, Namakwa, Siyanda and John Taolo Gatsewe.
Approximately 360 learners from grades 9 to 12, representing nine local high schools – namely Duinveld high school, Upington high school, Paballelo high school, Saul Damon high school, SC Kearns high school, AJ Ferreira high school, Carlton van Heerden high school, Keimoes high school and Oranjezicht high school – and their teachers graced the college’s hall for an information-filled and fun-filled day.
Also in attendance were officials from the provincial department of education, the provincial premier’s office, the national department of basic education, professionals from the institutions of higher learning, W&RSETA and industry partners.
Aligned with the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030, the event provided a holistic intervention, featuring a diverse lineup of professionals and experts shared valuable insights into career pathways, study opportunities and the evolving world of work.
The key highlight of the day was the live demonstration of the W&RSETA’s innovative Online Career Guidance Platform launched in 2025. This game-changing digital tool provided accessible, user-friendly resources to explore the dynamic career opportunities available in South Africa and beyond.
The Northern Cape achieved a record-high 87.79% matric pass rate last year, marking it as one of the most improved provinces in the country. This result represented a significant long-term improvement from 66% in 2020. All districts in the province performed above 85%, with Namakwa leading at 90.5%.
Kicking off the event, W&RSETA’s Pfuno Simango said there was a crucial need for an industry-focused education in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving job market.
“By aligning educational programs with industry needs, students gain practical skills and knowledge that employers crave. This approach bridges the gap between academia and the workforce, making graduates more employable and ready to hit the ground running,” Simango said. Simango cited as an example that there were over 150 careers in the wholesale and retail industry alone.
He said the trend was that everyone wanted to be a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer and a law enforcement officer, disparagingly narrowing the wholesale and retail industry to cashiers, cleaners and shelf-packers.
“The sector has evolved much higher, it now offers careers in sales and marketing, supply chain management, logistics and distribution, store management and operations, merchandising and buying, e-commerce and digital marketing,” he said.
Simango told learners that the wholesale and retail sector was now attracting Information and Technology graduates who, among others, manned operations such as online buying, data analytics, support business operations and drive the growth of the sector. Percy Sago, the chief principal of the Northern Cape Rural TVET College described the event as a “platform and possibilities”, saying it aimed at “building the future”.
“Career guidance are about understanding yourselves. They are helpful in that they can help you explore options and make informed decisions about your chosen paths,” Sago said.
He said armed with guidance you are able to identify your interests, skills and values, explore career paths and create a career development plan.
Dr Patrick Ebewo from the Tshwane University of Technology told the grades 9 sand 12s that the event was a “declaration of intent”.
“You are at a stage now that you have to make life-long decisions about who are you going to be in the future, and what are you going to do in the future,” Ebewo said.
He said the learners were lucky enough in that the province was big in mining, had green economy, a vast agricultural land, large renewable energy solar power hub, wholesale and retail, and attractive tourism appeal.
“You already have jobs cut out for you. All you need to do is to align yourselves with these industries as you make your subject choices and tertiary studies,” he said, adding that as the job market continue to evolve, this approach of career guidance will only grow in importance, making it a key part of building a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Ebewo warned learners and teachers, particularly the basic education department, against downplaying mathematics, science, technology and engineering.
“Pure maththematics, not maths literacy, will open many doors for you. Most universities will turn down your application even if you have distinctions and math literacy as a subject,” he said.
Basetsana Sabasaba, a 25-year-old former Grade 12 from Upington, advised learners know their strengths and abilities when making subject and career choices.
Sabasaba matriculated in 2020 in the Eastern Cape and went to study for a diploma in wholesale and retail management at Sol Plaatjie University in Kimberley.
“I then went further to study for an advance diploma in business management with the financial assistance from the Wholesale & Retail SETA,” she said, adding that for her, “the sky is the limit”.
Currently Sabasaba is attached with the Sol Plaatjie University Business Management School as an incubator Zoleka Mazwi, a career guidance teacher at Paballelo high school, said the key benefit of industry-focused education was its ability to address specific skills gaps.
“Many industries face challenges finding candidates with the right expertise. By tailoring curricula, educational institutions can produce graduates who are not only job-ready but also equipped to drive innovation and growth in their chosen fields,” Mazwi said.
One thing the Upington career exhibition and guidance highlighted is that partnerships between schools and companies can lead to internships, mentorships, and job opportunities, giving students invaluable real-world experience. These co-operations can also inform curriculum development, ensuring that what’s being taught stays relevant.
As the job market continues to evolve, this approach will only grow in importance, making it a key part of building a skilled and adaptable workforce.
