Nsovo Hlungwani, a third year Transport and Management student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), hosted the Burgersdorp Career Expo, at the Burgersdorp State of the Art School recently.
The expo tackled many issues such as; financial aid, National Benchmark Test (which is a prerequisite for most universities to get admission in the higher learning institutions), calculation of APS score, bursaries and advices on different career paths.
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Her community has a high rate of teenage pregnancy, low matriculate enrollment and most of the fortunate few who pass their Grade 12 don’t study further, they remained home, not furthering their studies.
She came with a team of her fellow UJ students who imparted their knowledge to the learners.
Hlungwani is a member of the Baagi ba Thuto, which is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) established by Peer Mentors (2017 group) of the Department of Transport and Supply Chain at UJ.
The NPO seeks to bridge the gap between rural and urban area learners and has already hosted another expo in Mpumalanga. They are also in the process of building a library in Mpumalanga.
“We have realised that there are more urban learners in universities than from rural areas and this career expo serves as a tool to bridge the gap,” explained Hlungwani.
About eight high schools and over 700 learners went to the expo.
Hlungwani was also assisted by Dr OJ Mbhalati (KPMG and former circuit manager) and Dr T Mbhalati.
“To me, this is more than just bringing higher education institutions to my community, it is about bringing hope and change and eradicating the barriers to success,” she added.
The occasion was graced by distinguished guest speakers such as; Zenzile Shimbambu, Business woman); Coolman Mathebula, Pastor from Great is Thy Faithfulness Ministry and Zamathembu Mthembu, Chairperson of Baagi ba Thuto and a UJ student and Themba Hlungwani, Pastor from Jesus for All Nations.
“The career expo was a great success, seeing that all the learners responded positively to the information that was given to them and they are motivated to do well,” said Enos Mmampa, Principal of Burgersdorp State of the Art School.
Hlungwani expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event and especially all the guests speakers and catering sponsors.
