The Unisa Western Cape Region, through its Counselling and Career Development (CCD) unit, hosted a dynamic and impactful career fair on 18 March 2026.

The event, coordinated by the dedicated CCD team comprising Dr Zamangwane Khanyile, Chantal Adams and Sanelisiwe Madikizela, was held across multiple campus venues and aimed to equip students with essential employability skills, career insights and practical tools to prepare them for the competitive job market.

The career fair brought together an impressive mix of industry partners, with 17 companies on site to showcase their services, connect with students and share real insights into different career paths. This created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, giving students a valuable opportunity to network, ask questions and interact directly with potential employers and professionals in their respective fields.

The programme officially commenced with a warm welcome by the Regional Director, Motale Nkgoang. He set the tone for a day focused on growth and opportunity. He indicated that it was not just an event but a powerful platform bringing together ambition, opportunity and possibility.

Nkgoang said the career fair reflected staff’s shared commitment to shaping futures, building careers and strengthening the bridge between education and the world of work. The sessions were facilitated by the CCD unit, guiding the flow of the day’s activities. This was followed by an engaging session on developing employability skills, where students were introduced to key competencies, such as adaptability, communication and problem-solving, required in today’s evolving workplace.

The Western Cape Region Career Fair Committee

A standout session facilitated by Abdul Barday on how to update CVs using AI tools provided students with modern techniques to enhance their job applications. This was complemented by an interactive CV development session, facilitated by student mentors Nozipho Mpofu, Unity Mbedzi and Lucia McPherson, where students had the opportunity to actively refine their CVs with expert guidance, ensuring they left the fair with practical, improved documents.

Students also participated in mock interview sessions, which ran throughout the day. These sessions allowed them to experience interview scenarios, receive constructive feedback and build confidence in their interview skills. Hazel Makhanya, Career Development Specialist, joined the regional staff members in facilitating the session. The staff members who facilitated the session included Dr Shahieda Jansen, Mduduzi Ncongwane and Peter Boonzaaier.

Industry engagement formed a key part of the programme, with representatives from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the Unisa Law Clinic and Telkom delivering insightful presentations. These sessions provided students with valuable information about various industries, career opportunities and expectations for graduates entering the workforce.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging students to explore self-employment and innovative thinking as viable career paths. Student mentors Nicola Steyn and Omphemetse Rangaka facilitated this session.

Students who visited the Telkom stand entered a raffle, creating a lively, rewarding experience while promoting connectivity solutions.

Overall, the career fair was a resounding success, providing students with a comprehensive platform to learn, engage and prepare for their future careers. Through a combination of workshops, interactive sessions and industry exposure, Unisa continues to demonstrate its commitment to student development and employability.

* By Thandeka Mtyali, Intern: Communication and Marketing, Western Cape Region