Lonwabo Mtyeku | Image Credit:Sourced
Mabaalstad, North West Province – 9 January 2026
A powerful new chapter in rural youth development is set to unfold in the North West Province with the launch of the 1st Annual “The Rural” Career Expo: Careers in Accountancy & Other Fields, an ambitious two-day initiative designed to transform access to education, career guidance and economic opportunity for learners from some of South Africa’s most under-resourced communities.
Hosted by the Baphiring Tribal Authority in collaboration with The Princess & Friends Non-Profit Company (NPC), the landmark expo will take place on Monday 2 February and Tuesday 3 February 2026 at the Baphiring Tribal Offices and Sports Grounds in Mabaalstad, running daily from 08h00 to 14h00.
Approximately 4 000 learners from eight rural high schools across the Dinaledi Circuit—spanning five villages within the Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the Bojanala Platinum District—are expected to attend, making it one of the largest rural-focused career development initiatives in the province.
Bridging the Rural Opportunity Gap
At its core, The Rural Career Expo is driven by a bold vision: to ensure that learners in marginalised rural communities enjoy the same access to career information, development pathways and opportunities as their urban counterparts.
Organisers say the expo is rooted in a holistic, psychosocial approach to education—recognising that academic success, mental wellbeing, career readiness and personal development are deeply interconnected.
“The expo is about dignity, access and preparing rural youth for a rapidly changing world of work,” organisers said. “It is not just a career expo — it is an investment in the future of our communities.”
The initiative seeks to dismantle long-standing barriers faced by rural learners, including limited exposure to innovative careers, inadequate career guidance, and restricted access to scholarships, bursaries and tertiary education funding.
Opening Doors to the Future
Learners will be introduced to a wide range of professions and industries, including Commerce, STEM disciplines, Medical Sciences, Arts and Humanities, while receiving practical career guidance, future-planning skills, and direct access to universities, FET colleges, training institutions and potential employers.
The programme will also encourage networking and mentorship, foster collaboration with industry leaders, and promote lifelong learning, entrepreneurship and skills development—equipping learners to navigate a rapidly evolving labour market.
Beyond career awareness, the expo places strong emphasis on psychosocial support, motivation and personal empowerment, ensuring learners leave not only informed, but inspired.
Proven Track Record of Impact
The Princess & Friends NPC, previously known as the HRH Princess Lerato M Foundation, has already demonstrated its capacity to deliver impactful youth development initiatives. In August 2022, the organisation successfully hosted a two-day mental health workshop attended by approximately 1 400 learners. The 2026 expo is expected to nearly triple that reach.
Strong Multi-Sector Support
The career expo enjoys wide-ranging support from key public and private stakeholders, including:
- The Department of Education
- North West University
- African Women Chartered Accountants
- The South African Royal Princesses Network
- BMW Rustenburg
- Several universities, FET colleges, private companies and employer partners
Expected attendees also include royal leaders, government representatives, education authorities, private sector leaders and development organisations—demonstrating a united commitment to uplifting rural youth.
Bokamoso PR & Media Amplifies the Vision
As a supporting media partner, Bokamoso PR & Media has pledged to amplify the impact of the initiative by ensuring strong public awareness and national visibility.
“Platforms that elevate education, youth development and inclusive economic participation are essential to building a more equitable South Africa,” the organisation said in a statement.
A Legacy in the Making
With thousands of young people set to pass through its gates, The Rural Career Expo represents more than a two-day event—it signals the birth of a long-term movement aimed at restoring dignity, unlocking potential and shaping the next generation of leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs from South Africa’s rural heartland.
As the North West Province prepares to host this landmark initiative, one message rings clear: rural dreams are valid, and rural futures are powerful.
