The Department of Basic Education (DBE) remains committed to ensuring that learners acquire the necessary skills to navigate the modern world to be employable post-matric.
Mr Wandise Boyd, Head of Business Development from UniApplyForMe, a youth organisation that aims to assist students with their university, college and funding applications in South Africa, explained that the DBE partnered with UniApplyForMe to present a free national Grade 12 University Applications Workshop on 22 April 2026, when the Jamboree for Future Choices Programme went virtual.
Mr Likho Bottoman, Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, explained that “during the online course, Grade 12 learners attended the free workshop, which assists them to choose the right course, understand the application process, meet the deadlines, and avoid common mistakes. I am very pleased to see the strong alignment with the work being done through Life Orientation Subject Advisors, the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) Learner Social Support Programmes, and the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) initiatives. Integrating the workshop within these structures will certainly help to ensure that the information reaches a much broader group of Grade 12 learners and educators across the country. The opportunity to also make use of the RCL Hub as a digital platform for continued access to the workshop content and resources is particularly valuable. One of the long-term objectives of this initiative is to ensure that the guidance provided to learners remains accessible beyond a single session and can continue to support them throughout the application cycle.
The DBE, led by Basic Education Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule, hosted an Inter-Departmental Career Choices Expo Day in commemoration of Freedom Month and Schools Democracy Month on Friday, 17 April 2026 at Spamplek Sports Ground in Daggakraal, within the Gert Sibande District Municipality. The initiative responds to calls from stakeholders and aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to expand access to career guidance platforms.
As part of the DBE’s career guidance efforts, learners are exposed to diverse career pathways, including entrepreneurship and emerging opportunities shaped by technological advancement and artificial intelligence, whilst strengthening support systems within schools and communities.