Young people urged to prepare for jobs of future

Dr Patricia Moloi-Motsepe says for youth unemployment to be addressed; young people must prepare themselves for the jobs of the future.
 
She was speaking at the Motsepe Foundation’s Youth-Tech Expo in Johannesburg, where more than 1000 unemployed graduates gathered.
 
It was an exciting mix of young and experienced professionals who gathered to network and address the country’s unemployment crisis.
 
The young people say they can no longer be comfortable being excluded from the economy.

Lesego Themba, a graduate who has been job hunting for the past 10 years, says despite countless internships she’s still struggling.

But she says expos like today’s have encouraged her to get out of bed and keep searching.

Keep working. Nothing worth getting comes easy.

The bigger the dream, the bigger the work – Patrice Motsepe #UnlockingOpportunities #YouthTechExpo pic.twitter.com/XnGf32Ognu

— M I X O (@4otune) July 12, 2024

One young tech-entrepreneur, Gabriel Cassim, says he’s thankful for networking sessions like the Youth-tech Expo for connecting him with the right people to get his business off the ground.
 
Through the Telkom Future Makers programme, Cassim successfully secured funding for his start-up.
 

It’s all about the geek culture #UnlockingOpportunities #YouthTechExpo pic.twitter.com/0grXqeeKvQ

— G E E K U L C H A 🇿🇦 (@Geekulcha) July 12, 2024

Speaking with YNews, Moloi-Motsepe, the co-founder of the Motsepe Foundation, emphasised the need for companies and universities to work together to ensure young people are studying degrees that align with the changing job market. 
 
The philanthropist and fashion entrepreneur had a special message for all those young people who feel like they don’t have the right connections to succeed.
 
She says it’s all about confidence.
 
“That’s very important. Have the confidence! Don’t put barriers up in your mind and let them hold you back,” she told YNews.
 
Meanwhile, Hopkins Gondwe, a 52-year-old gardener turned law graduate, says he hopes to inspire others with his story.
 
As a Motsepe bursary recipient, he shared his journey.
 
Hopkins left his home country of Malawi in 1996 to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.
 
To make ends meet, he worked odd jobs as a gardener while studying through Unisa.
 
Despite the struggles, he persevered and is now a qualified lawyer.
 
But, he says, landing a job is his next big challenge.
 
“I’m still looking for a job. I lost my garden job in 2020 due to COVID-19. So, life hasn’t been easy for me but through God’s grace, I’m still alive and kicking,” he told YNews.