‘We’re not here for oranges’: Is Gauteng’s job campaign going to fix unemployment or just ‘showcase’ businesses?
'I think we can all leave here with something in hand,' says one hopeful job hunter, while another said it would have been better to stay home.
Arlen Humphries travelled to the Vul'amathuba Festival of Opportunities in Johannesburg, hoping to find employment and improve his family's financial situation. However, despite the event hosted by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, he returned with the same concerns and no new job prospects. The campaign aims to connect job seekers with opportunities for employment, skills development, and business support.
Many attendees, including young and old people, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities presented, but some felt the event lacked tangible results. Humphries argued that the event would have been more beneficial if companies came with vacancies in mind and screened attendees with their CVs. Others, like Dikeledi Olifant from Orange Farm, felt the event was more of a career expo for youth rather than a genuine job search platform.
GDED Deputy Director-General Bulumko Nelana acknowledged the campaign's goal of bridging the gap between those seeking work and those with vacancies. However, the success of the event will depend on whether companies are genuinely interested in hiring and providing job opportunities. For now, many remain discouraged and still unemployed, hoping for the promised solutions that cater specifically to their needs.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
