By Gofaone Motsamai and Keaoleboga Motshabi

Dreams met decision-makers, and ambitions found direction. What began as an ordinary Monday at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU), quickly turned into a turning point for many students as they stepped into a world of opportunity at the annual Careers Fair on 20 May 2025.

Organised by NWU Career Services, the event opened doors into industries such as accounting, manufacturing, engineering and auditing. Employers like PwC, SAICA, SARS, Eskom Holdings, South African Breweries, Legal Aid, Shoprite Checkers, the Auditor General of South Africa, Absa and Cifargo participated in the event, meeting hundreds of students eager to learn more about the world beyond graduation.

Hloni Putsoane, employer engagement specialist at Career Services, described the event as a “powerful day of networking, opportunity and future planning”. “Events like this allow students to network, learn about job opportunities and make impressions that could lead to internships, graduate programmes or full-time employment,” he said.

Students had access to real-world insights through direct engagement with professionals. Many used the opportunity to ask questions, hand over CVs and gain understanding of various workplace environments.

“The exposure to 14 companies in fields like accounting, manufacturing, auditing, and engineering offered students a broad view of potential career paths, helping them align their academic training with industry needs,” added Hloni.

He stressed the importance of the event in the context of the national job market. “Given South Africa’s high unemployment rate, such opportunities are critical for improving employability and building professional connections that could lead to job offers or further career development.”

Looking ahead, Hloni said, “There are plans to host public sector and SETA-specific career fairs in the second semester due to the proximity of the provincial government departments in Mahikeng.” He added that the NWU aims to increase company participation, as seen in past fairs where new companies were recruited annually, and to expand virtual and hybrid formats, building on the previous success, to reach more students across campuses.

CareerZone, the NWU’s digital career services platform, remains central to student-employer interaction. “CareerZone allows students to RSVP, share CVs and connect with employers’ after the event,” he added

Students explore various stalls in the Great Hall to gather information.