Historic multi-sector expo confronts North West youth unemployment crisis head-on by opening doors to diverse, solution-driven careers in food, agriculture, health, tech, finance and mo…re
In a mining heartland where youth unemployment is high and many young people see limited futures tied to platinum shafts, a bold new initiative is set to redefine possibilities for thousands of Grade 12 learners.
On 24 February 2026, the Rustenburg Career Expo will transform the Rustenburg Civic Centre into a launchpad for ambition. Organised by the Rustenburg Community Development Trust (RCDT) in powerful partnership with Valterra Platinum and the Department of Education, the free entry event expects to draw over 4,500 learners primarily final-year high school students from Rustenburg and neighbouring towns for a full day of life-changing exposure.
Under the rallying theme “Unleashing young talent to better our communities”, the expo deliberately moves beyond conventional career days. It addresses a stark reality: while mining remains central to the regional economy, over-reliance on one sector leaves thousands of talented youth vulnerable in a rapidly changing world. This expo intentionally spotlights practical, community-solving careers outside the mine gates in agriculture and food security, healthcare, education, retail and FMCG, telecommunications, manufacturing, engineering, transport, construction, banking, media, ICT, and culinary innovation.
“Rustenburg’s young people are not just statistics in a high-unemployment province, they are the key to sustainable community resilience,” Katleho Thinane – Head of Projects at Rustenburg Community Development Trust (RCDT). “This expo is engineered to shatter narrow horizons. By connecting learners directly with universities, TVET colleges, SETAs, national corporates, financial funders and skills experts, we are igniting innovative, solution-oriented thinking that tackles real local challenges from food production to digital connectivity and healthcare access.”
Why this matters now, the bigger story
With matric results on the horizon and post-school decisions pressing, North West youth face one of the toughest transitions in the country. Recent labour data shows youth unemployment (15–34 years) in the province at approximately 58.8% in early 2025, with many graduates and matriculants queuing for even basic opportunities. In Rustenburg, a platinum powerhouse socioeconomic pressures in mine-adjacent communities compound the challenge, making diversified career pathways not just desirable, but essential for long-term prosperity.
“As a leading platinum producer deeply rooted in the Rustenburg community, Valterra Platinum is proud to support the Rustenburg Career Expo. As an organisation, our purpose is clear – ‘Unearthing value to better our world’ and that begins with investing in the next generation. This initiative is more than an event, it’s a powerful investment in diversifying opportunities for our youth, moving beyond mining dependency toward innovative, sustainable careers that will strengthen families, drive economic resilience, and build a brighter future for the entire region.” Concludes Ms. ThokozileSehlangu – Manager External Relations and Sustainability Impact, Valterra Platinum.
The Rustenburg Career Expo counters this head-on by creating a one-day ecosystem of opportunity:
– Massive Exhibition Floor: More than 30 high-profile exhibitors, including:
– Leading tertiary institutions: University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University (NWU), UNISA Rustenburg Regional Centre
– TVET powerhouses: ORBIT TVET College (Rustenburg Campus), Taletso TVET College
– Sector Education & Training Authorities (SETAs): MERSETA, AGRISETA, FOODBEV SETA, BANKSETA, MICT SETA, TETA, CETA
– National corporates and innovators: FNB Rustenburg, Nestlé Professional, Empact Group – Food Division, Bidvest Food & Logistics, Armscor, Directech (Pty) Ltd, PNet Recruitment, LinkedIn (virtual), Vega, Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA), Chef School
– Inspirational Plenary & Panel Sessions: Real-talk insights from skills development professionals, industry trailblazers and career architects representing Staff Training SA, The Skills Hub, South African Career Development Association (SACDA), and more.
– Hands-On Interactive Demo Zones: Learners touch, build, cook, code, and experience careers in real time sparking ideas for community-relevant innovation.
– Direct Access to Funding & Pathways NSFAS, educational funding institutes, bursary conversations, learnerships, apprenticeships, youth employment services, and first-step guidance.
This is not a generic expo. It is a strategic intervention rooted in partnership strength “a cord of three strands is not easily broken” – bringing together education, government, mining legacy support (via Valterra Platinum), traditional authorities, and private-sector leaders to invest in the next generation.
Event Snapshot
– Name: Rustenburg Career Expo 2026
– Theme: Unleashing young talent to better our communities
– Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
– Time: 08:00 – 16:00
– Venue: Rustenburg Civic Centre
– Expected Attendance: 4,500+ learners & stakeholders
