Rustenburg 2026 career pathways: connecting learners to universities, corporates and funding

In a bid to curb the youth unemployment crisis, a historic multi-sector career expo is set to confront North West’s challenges head-on by opening doors to diverse, solution-driven careers in food, agriculture, health, technology, finance and more.

In Rustenburg’s mining heartland, where youth unemployment is high, and many young people see limited futures tied to platinum shafts, a bold new initiative is poised to redefine possibilities for thousands of Grade 12 learners.

On February 24, 2026, the Rustenburg Career Expo is set to transform the Rustenburg Civic Centre into a launchpad for ambition. Organised by the Rustenburg Community Development Trust (RCDT) in partnership with Valterra Platinum and the Department of Education, the free-entry event is expected to draw more than 4,500 learners, primarily final-year high school students from Rustenburg and neighbouring towns, for a full day of life-changing exposure.

Under the rallying theme “Unleashing young talent to better our communities”, the expo deliberately moves beyond conventional career days. It confronts a stark reality: while mining remains central to the regional economy, over-reliance on one sector leaves thousands of talented youth vulnerable in a rapidly changing world.

The expo is set to spotlight practical, community-focused careers beyond the mine gates, ranging from agriculture and food security to healthcare, education, retail and FMCG, telecommunications, manufacturing, engineering, transport, construction, banking, media, ICT, and culinary innovation.

Katleho Thinane, head of projects at Rustenburg Community Development Trust (RCDT) says the expo will feature some of the country’s leading tertiary institutions, with the University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University (NWU), and the UNISA Rustenburg Regional Centre all set to exhibit.

“Rustenburg’s young people are not just statistics in a high-unemployment province, they are the key to sustainable community resilience. This expo is engineered to shatter narrow horizons. By connecting learners directly with universities, TVET colleges, SETAs, national corporates, financial funders, and skills experts, we are igniting innovative, solution-oriented thinking that tackles real local challenges, from food production to digital connectivity and healthcare access," says Thihane.

Recent labour data shows youth unemployment (15–34 years) in the province is high, with many graduates and matriculants queuing for even basic opportunities. 

According to Thihane, this is not a generic expo. It is a strategic intervention rooted in partnership strength, “a cord of three strands is not easily broken”, bringing together education, government, mining legacy support (via Valterra Platinum), traditional authorities, and private-sector leaders to invest in the next generation.

"Beyond the exhibition floor, learners will gain real-talk insights from skills development professionals, industry trailblazers, and career architects representing organisations such as Staff Training SA, The Skills Hub, and the South African Career Development Association (SACDA), among others.

Adding to the dynamic programme are Hands-On Interactive Demo Zones, where learners will be able to touch, build, cook, code, and experience careers in real time, sparking ideas for innovation that directly address community needs," he says.

Crucially, the expo also provides Direct Access to Funding and Pathways, including NSFAS, educational funding institutes, bursary opportunities, learnerships, apprenticeships, youth employment services, and first-step guidance for those navigating their post-school journey, says Thinane.

Thokozile Sehlangu, manager external relations and sustainability impact, Valterra Platinum, says:  "As a leading platinum producer deeply rooted in the Rustenburg community, Valterra Platinum is proud to support the Rustenburg Career Expo. As an organisation, our purpose is clear - ‘Unearthing value to better our world', and that begins with investing in the next generation. This initiative is more than an event, it’s a powerful investment in diversifying opportunities for our youth, moving beyond mining dependency toward innovative, sustainable careers that will strengthen families, drive economic resilience, and build a brighter future for the entire region".

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