CAREER XPERIENCE ROADSHOW
If Nicholas Thipe’s reception at the Letaba TVET College CareerXperience Roadshow at the Tzaneen Campus is anything to go by, there is a strong appetite among young people to be part of that future, and many agree that fibre internet is the future.
Driven by the powerful words of struggle icon Steve Biko, “The greatest gift we can give ourselves is to develop our full potential,” the Letaba TVET College CareerXperience Roadshow in Limpopo provided young people with more than career information, it offered a window into the opportunities that await them in an increasingly connected economy.
The roadshow brought together school learners, TVET and university students, unemployed youth, employers, industry partners, recruiters and business leaders, creating a dynamic environment where education, skills development and the world of work converged.
Among the companies making its presence felt was Net Nine Nine, the fibre network company currently expanding its infrastructure footprint across Nkowankowa, Tzaneen, Modjadjiskloof, and surrounding communities.
Net99’s participation was particularly significant given the company’s growing involvement in the local economy, as is the case across eight provinces.
Beyond building fibre infrastructure, the company is creating opportunities for local employment and opening doors for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to participate in the rapidly expanding digital infrastructure sector.
Thipe, Net99 Chief of Staff, uttered a motivational address quickly, which became one of the highlights of the roadshow.
THIPE CAPTURES THE STAR-STUDDED ROOM!
Speaking to an audience that included young school learners, tertiary students and business people, Thipe delivered a message that went beyond employment opportunities, and this was followed a huge round of applause from the engaging audience. He challenged young people to look at their skills, ambitions and potential through the lens of an economy that is becoming increasingly dependent on technology and connectivity.
His presentation resonated strongly with the audience, particularly as he shared the progress Net99 is making in creating employment opportunities in communities where the company is rolling out its network.
Thipe’s message was underpinned by a simple but important reality: the future of work is becoming increasingly connected. TVET colleges play a critical role in preparing artisans, technicians and other skilled professionals for the physical demands of the economy, but increasingly, the tools, businesses, customers and workplaces surrounding those professions are connected to the internet.
From engineering and electrical work to automotive services, construction, agriculture, manufacturing and entrepreneurship, connectivity is becoming an important part of how businesses operate, communicate, market themselves and access information.
CONNECTING PRACTICAL SKILLS TO OPPORTUNITY!
The CareerXperience Roadshow is designed to expose more than 1 800 learners, TVET and tertiary students and unemployed young people across three campuses to career pathways, scarce skills, entrepreneurship, technology and employment opportunities aligned with the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) mandate and Limpopo’s economic priorities.
Unlike a conventional career exhibition, the initiative provides practical and interactive exposure to the world of work by connecting young people with employers, industry professionals, artisans, training providers and opportunity partners.
For Net99, this represents an important space to engage with the very communities that will form part of South Africa’s future workforce and entrepreneurial landscape.
Net99 has not limited its contribution to direct employment, but creating opportunities for local SMMEs to participate in the fibre ecosystem, allowing smaller businesses to gain access to work and commercial opportunities created by the expansion of digital infrastructure.
FROM NKOWANKOWA TO MODJADJISKLOOF!
Just a week before the Letaba TVET event, Net99 held a recruitment drive at the Muhlava Royal Palace, where young people from communities under the Nkuna Traditional Office were given an opportunity to engage with the company and explore employment possibilities. Such engagements demonstrate the potential impact of bringing companies, communities and young people into the same conversation.
For a region such as Tzaneen, where agriculture, tourism, small businesses, education and technical skills are important components of the local economy, improved connectivity can provide a platform through which individuals and businesses can access information, markets, training and new opportunities.
A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY!
Letaba TVET College Council Chairperson Ms Sehlake delivered a heartfelt message of support for the initiative, emphasising the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young people as they navigate education, career choices and their pathways into the world of work. Samson Vilakazi, CEO of Vilama Business HR, Tax and Accounting, provided practical guidance during his session, “Getting Ready for the World of Work: Skills Every Employer Wants.” The session focused on the skills, mindset and professional qualities young people need to successfully enter and navigate the workplace.
Phamela Khosa, General Education and Development Practitioner at TETA, delivered the Partners Address, highlighting the importance of collaboration in connecting young people with education, skills development and meaningful opportunities. The programme was officially welcomed by Mr MD Mathevula, Campus Manager at Letaba TVET College, whose address set the tone for a day centred on knowledge, opportunity and empowerment.
