Speech by Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts at the Limpopo Green Careers Guidance Expo in Polokwane, Limpopo, 11 August 2026
MEC for the Limpopo Department of Education, Ms Mavhungu Maureen Lerule-Ramakhanya;
MEC for the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Dr Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe;
Acting Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Joe Machaba;
Acting Executive Mayor of the City of Polokwane, Cllr Betty Kgare;
Senior officials from all spheres of government;
Exhibitors;
Learners and students;
Members of the public.
Good morning.
It is an honour to lead the government’s Green Careers Guidance Expo under the theme, “Green Careers for Environmental Sustainability”. This event comes at a critical time when unemployment in South Africa remains unacceptably high. The recent Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that the unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points, from 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Stats SA, the total number of unemployed youth aged 15 to 34 increased by 181 000 to 4.7 million during the same period. As government, we are deeply concerned by these figures, which is why we continue to work tirelessly to find solutions to unemployment in our country.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) has identified Inclusive Growth and Job Creation as one of its key priorities. At the beginning of the Seventh Administration, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined this priority as central to government's efforts to improve the lives of South Africans.
As the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), events such as this provide an important platform to showcase the work we are doing to create green jobs and prepare young people for opportunities in the environmental sector. The Department continues to implement a range of initiatives and interventions aimed at driving job creation and developing critical skills.
Green careers
The possibilities for pursuing a green career are constantly expanding. What was once viewed as the domain of natural scientists working in laboratories has evolved into a broad field that covers numerous professions and industries.
Today, green careers can be found in law, engineering, architecture, urban planning, education, finance, retail, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, environmental management and many other sectors.
Traditionally, people associated green careers with working outdoors, studying wildlife, conserving ecosystems or conducting scientific research. While these opportunities remain important, the scope and nature of green careers in South Africa continue to evolve as our country advances towards a greener and more sustainable economy.
Green careers therefore represent a vast landscape of opportunities for young people who wish to contribute to environmental sustainability while building rewarding careers.
For more information on green careers, I encourage you to visit the Department's website at www.dffe.gov.za, where you will find the Green Skills Portal. This platform provides valuable information and resources to support informed career decisions and access to opportunities in the green economy.
The portal offers:
• Green careers information to support career guidance activities in schools, colleges, universities and workplaces.
• Training opportunities to strengthen skills, support reskilling and enhance talent development.
• Information on bursaries and scholarships for formal studies in green skills-related fields.
• Internships and employment opportunities in the environmental sector.
• Research resources on green skills planning, SETA skills plans, environmental skills development, peer-reviewed journals, books and scientific publications.
The Green Skills Portal is intended to benefit learners, students, unemployed youth, employees, teachers, lecturers, career counsellors, parents and human resource development professionals.
DFFE Student Bursary Progarmme
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment offers bursaries to full-time students enrolled at institutions of higher learning, as well as Grade 12 learners who intend pursuing studies in fields aligned to the Department's mandate.
The bursary programme focuses on scarce and critical skills within the environmental, forestry, fisheries and natural resource management sectors. Fields of study include:
• Environmental Science and Environmental Management
• Forestry Science
• Marine Biology, Aquatic Science and Oceanography
• Fisheries Science and Aquaculture
• Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management
• Climate Change Studies
• Waste Management
• Environmental Law and Compliance
• Environmental Economics and Spatial Planning
The Department has consistently awarded 40 full-time bursaries annually over the period 2021 to 2025. Limpopo accounts for approximately 30% of beneficiaries from both the bursary and internship programmes, making it the leading contributing province.
For the current financial year, the Department plans to award 70 full-time bursaries. This represents an increase of 30 bursaries, or 75%, compared to previous years. Each bursary is valued at R80 000 per student per year.
Upon completion of their studies, beneficiaries may participate in the Department's two-year internship programme in line with DPSA guidelines.
The bursaries for the 2027 academic year are expected to be advertised between September and October 2026.
I encourage all eligible learners and students to apply when the applications open. The bursaries are advertised through national newspapers, the Department's website and DFFE social media platforms.
The DFFE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to promoting representativity in terms of race, gender and disability. Persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information, please visit www.dffe.gov.za or contact the Department on 012 399 9000.
One of the most exciting career opportunities available to graduates in these fields is the opportunity to work as a scientist aboard the S.A. Agulhas II research vessel. The S.A. Agulhas II is South Africa's state-of-the-art polar research and supply vessel. It conducts scientific research and supports South Africa's research stations in Antarctica, Marion Island and Gough Island.
Working aboard this vessel provides a unique opportunity to contribute to climate and environmental research while supporting South Africa's efforts to understand and address climate change.
DFFE Internship Programme
The DFFE also offers a 24-month internship programme for unemployed graduates who possess a recognised three-year qualification from an accredited higher education institution.
The programme is advertised through national newspapers, the Department's website and DFFE social media platforms.
Internship opportunities are available in areas including:
• Corporate Management Services
• Ministry and Office of the Director-General
• Regulatory Services and Compliance Monitoring
• Climate Change and Air Quality
• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Financial Management Services
• Chemicals and Waste Management
• Environmental Programmes and Forestry
The Department has hosted two internship cohorts, namely 2022–2024 and 2024–2026. A total of 481 interns have participated across these cohorts.
The Department currently hosts 159 interns across its various branches, where they support policy research, human resources, finance, information and communications technology and frontline service delivery functions.
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Department continues to fulfil its mandate of protecting South Africa's environment while creating sustainable employment opportunities. During the current financial year, the Department plans to create more than 30 000 work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, this is expected to increase to more than 79 000 work opportunities.
Importantly, the majority of these opportunities are targeted at youth, women and persons with disabilities.
The Department creates these opportunities through several Expanded Public Works Programme initiatives, including:
• Environmental Monitors Programme
• Working for Fisheries Programme
• Oceans Economy Programme
• Working for Water Programme
• Working on Waste Programme
• Working for the Coast Programme
These programmes not only provide employment opportunities but also contribute to environmental protection, community development and skills development.
It must also be noted that during the 2025/26 financial year, the Department created over 42 000 EPWP work opportunities through programmes such as Working for Water, Working on Fire, Working for Fisheries, Working on Waste, Working for the Coast and municipal cleaning and greening initiatives.
CONCLUSION
As I conclude, I would like to briefly highlight our government's ambitious plan to plant 10 million trees on Heritage Day, 24 September 2026, as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential One Billion Trees Programme.
Led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, this initiative seeks to mobilise all South Africans to participate in climate action by planting trees across the country.
Trees will be planted at schools, clinics, hospitals, colleges, police stations, churches, parks, public spaces and residential areas across all nine provinces. Households are also encouraged to plant trees in their own yards.
This ambitious target builds on the success of the 2025 One Million Trees Campaign. On Heritage Day in 2025, South Africans planted 1.3 million trees in a single day, surpassing the target of one million trees.
Importantly, this achievement came at no cost to government, as citizens, businesses and organisations donated and planted the trees themselves.
This remarkable achievement demonstrated the power of collective action and the willingness of South Africans to contribute towards environmental protection and climate action.
I therefore call on all of you gathered here today to join this national movement by buying, donating and planting a tree on Heritage Day this year. Together, we can celebrate our heritage, protect our environment and leave a greener legacy for future generations.
I thank you!
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