- Rural learners from eight high schools will attend a two-day career expo in Mabaalstad focused on education, employability and entrepreneurship.
- The initiative brings universities, government, private sector employers and professional bodies directly into rural communities.
- Organisers say the expo is about dignity, equal access and preparing young people for a changing world of work.
Thousands of rural learners in the North West Province will soon gain direct access to career guidance, higher education institutions and professional opportunities when the first annual “The Rural” Career Expo: Careers in Accountancy and Other Fields launches in Mabaalstad next month.
The two-day expo, taking place on 2 and 3 February 2026, is being hosted by the Baphiring Tribal Authority in partnership with The Princess & Friends Non-Profit Company (NPC). It will be held at the Baphiring Tribal Offices and Sports Grounds and is expected to draw approximately 4 000 learners from eight rural high schools within the Dinaledi Circuit.
For many of these learners, drawn from five villages under different tribal authorities within the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, exposure to universities, professional bodies and private sector employers is rare. Organisers say the event has been designed to close that gap by bringing opportunities directly into rural communities rather than expecting learners to seek them out on their own.
Creating access beyond the classroom
The career expo is built around a holistic approach to education that goes beyond academic performance. Its focus includes career planning, psychosocial support and personal development, recognising that rural learners often face multiple barriers that extend beyond the classroom.
These challenges include limited access to information about innovative and emerging careers, as well as difficulties accessing funding opportunities such as bursaries and scholarships. By placing learners in direct contact with institutions and professionals, the organisers hope to demystify career pathways and make future planning more tangible.
Learners will be exposed to a wide range of sectors, including commerce, STEM fields, medical sciences, arts and humanities, while also being encouraged to consider entrepreneurship and skills development as viable economic pathways.
Building on a proven model
The Princess & Friends NPC is not new to learner-focused interventions. In August 2022, the organisation, then operating as the HRH Princess Lerato M Foundation, hosted a two-day mental health workshop that reached approximately 1,400 learners. That programme focused on emotional well-being and resilience and was widely regarded as successful by participating schools and stakeholders.
This year’s career expo builds on that foundation, both in scale and ambition. With attendance expected to nearly triple, organisers say the growing interest reflects the urgent need for sustained investment in rural youth development.
Partnerships shaping future pathways
The expo has attracted support from a wide range 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 other public and private stakeholders.
Royal leaders, government representatives, universities, TVET colleges, private companies and potential employers are expected to attend, reinforcing the message that rural learners are not forgotten and that their futures matter.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, the organisers said the expo is rooted in the belief that geography should not determine destiny.
“The expo is about dignity, access and preparing rural youth for a rapidly changing world of work,” the organisers said. “It is not just a career expo; it is an investment in the future of our communities.”
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