2026 NextGen Career Expo – Mpumalanga

The South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA), in partnership with Ndzundza Fene Traditional Council and Kgosi Mabe-O-Molopyane Foundation, proudly presents the 2026 NextGen Career Expo – Mpumalanga. This transformative event is designed to provide crucial career guidance and exposure to learners from underserved communities, helping them access real pathways into higher education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

In a country where youth unemployment is high and access to reliable career information remains unequal, the Expo seeks to create a bridge between industry leaders, education institutions, and young learners – cultivating the next generation of professionals, innovators, and changemakers.

The Expo is set to take place:

• Date: 30 January 2026
• Time: 09:00 – 13:00
• Venue: Stand No. 1815, Thembalethu, Kwamhlanga, 1022
• Target audience: 1500 learners from grades 10–12

In many rural and peri-urban communities across South Africa, young people lack access to critical information about careers, education pathways, and future opportunities. The NextGen Career Expo was conceptualized to bridge this gap — offering learners a platform to explore various professions, engage with industry leaders, and receive direct guidance on how to shape their futures.

Mpumalanga was strategically selected as the host province for the 2026 NextGen Career Expo because of its rich economic landscape and growing demand for skilled professionals across key sectors. As one of South Africa’s leading mining regions, Mpumalanga supplies about 80% of the country’s coal and is home to major companies like Exxaro, Sasol,Glencore, and Anglo American.

The province also serves as the energy hub of the nation, housing several of Eskom’s power stations. Its fertile land supports a booming agricultural and agro-processing industry, especially in citrus, sugarcane, and macadamia production. Additionally, Mpumalanga’s forestry, tourism, manufacturing, and logistics sectors offer expanding opportunities for employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

By hosting the Career Expo in Mpumalanga, we aim to connect local learners with these industries, expose them to diverse career paths, and prepare them to actively participate in the economic growth of their province and the country at large.

● To empower learners from underrepresented communities to discover and pursue careers that align with their talents, interests, and community needs.

● To expose students to a wide range of industries and professional pathways, with a focus on critical and future skills.

● To create interactive learning experiences that equip learners with soft skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and workplace readiness.

● To strengthen collaboration between educational institutions, government departments, and private sector stakeholders in addressing youth unemployment.

● To inspire goal-setting, leadership, and lifelong learning by offering relatable role models and mentorship.

● To reinforce the value of education and post-school planning as key tools in shaping personal and national development.

● Learners: 1500 high school learners from grades 10 to 12, primarily from rural and township schools in Mpumalanga.

● Educators & School Leaders: Teachers, Life Orientation facilitators, and principals.

● Parents & Guardians: Invited to engage in the career guidance journey.

● Government Stakeholders: From Basic Education, Higher Education, and Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities.

● Private Sector Representatives: Across key industries including mining, finance, ICT, and agriculture.

● Tertiary Institutions & SETAs: Offering pathways to higher learning and funding.

● Civil Society & NGOs: Focused on youth empowerment and leadership.

● 120 Career exhibitions and industry booths

● Speaking slots and motivational talks from professionals

● University and bursary application guidance

● Media interviews and learner engagement content