Mishka Pillay (Kouga Local Municipality Special Programmes Unit), Andrew Binning (Inkanyezi) and Hattingh Bornman (Kouga Local Municipality Executive Mayor).
Kouga – The inaugural Kouga Careers Expo 2025, held from 10 to 11 April 2025 at Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay, concluded on a high note, marking a milestone for youth development and employment access in the Kouga region.
The event drew an impressive turnout, with 11 high schools from across the region in attendance, alongside 53 exhibitors representing a broad spectrum of professions, training institutions, and government agencies. Hundreds of additional walk-in visitors also participated, making the two-day event a transformative and impactful experience for all.
Spearheaded by the Kouga Local Municipality’s Special Programmes Unit in the Office of the Executive Mayor, in partnership with Inkanyezi and Mentors Country Estate, the expo provided a dynamic platform where senior learners and unemployed youth could connect with representatives from academia, business, and government.
A Proud Moment for Kouga
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, expressed deep pride in the success of the inaugural event. “It is with immense pride that we welcomed the first-ever Kouga Careers Expo 2025 to our municipality,” he said.
“This initiative has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with a shared vision. I am incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and passion shown by our municipal team and partners in making this event a reality.”
He emphasised the broader significance of the expo, calling it a catalyst for long-term change in the region.
“By equipping our youth with essential career guidance, training opportunities, and employment resources, we are not only investing in their futures but actively shaping a more resilient and economically vibrant Kouga. This is the kind of meaningful development that truly matters.”
A Platform for Growth and Development
Over the two days, visitors benefited from a wide array of free services and interactive exhibits, including:
The expo enabled students to discover diverse career pathways while providing businesses and institutions an opportunity to engage with future talent, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and contribute directly to the fight against youth unemployment.
Looking Ahead: A Yearly Commitment
Given the overwhelming success and community impact of this year’s event, plans are already underway to establish the Kouga Careers Expo as an annual fixture on the region’s calendar.
“This is just the beginning,” Bornman said. “We are committed to growing this platform year by year, ensuring that it continues to serve as a bridge between potential and opportunity for the youth of Kouga.”
