A significant step towards advancing inclusive education and youth empowerment is underway with the launch of the 1st Annual “The Rural” Career Expo: Careers in Accountancy and Other Fields. The initiative is led by the Baphiring Tribal Authority in partnership with The Princess & Friends Non-Profit Company (NPC) and aims to unlock opportunity, access and inspiration for rural learners.
The career expo is expected to host approximately 4,000 learners from eight rural high schools within the Dinaledi Circuit, spanning five villages under the Moses Kotane Local Municipality. The initiative is intentionally designed to reach learners from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds who often face limited access to career information, innovative professional pathways and funding opportunities such as scholarships and bursaries.
At the core of the expo is a commitment to promoting a holistic and psychosocial approachto education, career development and personal growth. Learners will be exposed to a wide range of professions and industries, including Commerce, STEM, Medical Sciences, Arts andHumanities among others. The programme places strong emphasis on career guidance, future planning skills and personal development, equipping learners to make informed decisions about their academic and professional journeys.
The expo further aims to foster meaningful engagement and collaboration between learners and universities, FET colleges, mentors, employers and industry leaders. By encouraging networking and skills development. The initiative seeks to prepare young people for a rapidly evolving world of work while promoting a culture of lifelong learning and adaptability.
The programme will provide motivation and psychosocial support, recognising the importance of mental wellbeing and self-belief in shaping future success.
The Princess & Friends NPC has an established track record of impactful youth-centred initiatives. A previous mental health workshop hosted by the organisation successfully reached over 1,400 learners, demonstrating its ability to deliver programmes that respond meaningfully to the needs of young people. Building on this foundation, the upcoming career expo is expected to reach an even broader audience.
The initiative is supported by a strong network of partners and sponsors, including the Department of Education, North West University, African Women Chartered Accountants, the South African Royal Princesses Network, BMW Rustenburg, and several other stakeholders. The event will also bring together royal leaders, government representatives, academic institutions, private sector companies and potential employers, all working collaboratively to ensure its success.
Reflecting on the vision behind the career expo, the organisers emphasised that the initiative is rooted in the belief that rural learners deserve the same access to information and opportunities as their urban counterparts.
“The expo is about dignity, access and preparing rural youth for a rapidly changing world of work,” the organisers noted. “It is not just a career expo – it is an investment in the future of our communities.”
Through its inclusive approach and forward-looking vision, The Rural Career Expo stands as a powerful platform for empowerment, reaffirming that the aspirations of rural learners are valid, achievable and worthy of sustained investment.