The Deputy Minister of Basic Education (DBE) Dr. Reginah Mhaule will lead a government and stakeholder wide Career Expo Day to commemorate Freedom Month and Schools Democracy Month. The inaugural Career Expo day will take place on Friday, 17 April at the Spamplek Sports Ground in Daggakraal in the Gert Sibande District in Mpumalanga.
The initiative responds to a request made by several entities focusing on the interests and well-being of learners, community leaders, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, and the Department of Basic Education’s concern for the holistic well-being of learners. It also aligns with the call made by the President of the Republic of South Africa during his address at the 2026 Basic Education Lekgotla urging the department to conduct more Career Expos.
The engagement is intended to expose learners to diverse career opportunities and relevant institutions, including entrepreneurship and small business development opportunities available in South Africa, while leaving the district in a more capacitated position. The engagement will leave districts and local institutions capacitated by equipping SGBs, SMTs, SBSTs, RCLs, parents, and other school-based stakeholders with the necessary support.
The proposed programme will see the DBE working with key government departments and stakeholders to provide integrated services and career awareness activities, both as build-up interventions and on the main day of engagement. Each sector department will have specific contributions and roles that they are playing in the advancement of child-welfare.
Furthermore, the engagement will provide guidance on emerging trends and upcoming skills requirements relevant to the new age of technology and a world increasingly shaped by AI. In addition, the engagement will introduce learners to entrepreneurship as a viable career pathway, highlighting how they can create jobs and economic opportunities within their own communities in line with national development Terence Khala: Acting Director: Communications – 081 758 1546 Lukhanyo Vangqa: Media Liaison Officer – 066 302 1533
The following are the departments that will be participating on the day:
South African Police Service
Presidency
Department of Science, technology & Innovation
Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality
Department of Minerals & Petroleum Resources
Department of Public Works & Infrastructure
Mpumalanga Department of Education
Gert Sibande District Municipality
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
Department of Transport
Department of Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation
Office of the Premier
National Youth Development Agency
Department of Social Development
Department of Finance
Department of Employment and Labour
Department of Health
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Department of Communication and Digital Technologies
Department of Home Affairs
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
The other participants represented includes the Daggakraal Parliamentary Constituency Office ((Hon. MP), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC Chairperson), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Local House of Traditional Leaders Ka Moloi.
Members of the Media are invited to attend the Inter-Departmental Career Choices Expo Day In Daggakraal as follows:
Date: Friday, 17 April 2026
Venue: Spamplek Sport Grounds, Daggakraal, Mpumalanga
Time: 08h00 – 14h00
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