The Flourishing Influence of Career Fairs at Cape Town’s Libraries - Cape Town Today
Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

The Flourishing Influence of Career Fairs at Cape Town’s Libraries

3 mins read
career fairs libraries

Cape Town’s libraries are hosting career fairs that provide high school students with a diverse range of career options. The fairs offer a chance for learners to interact with industry professionals and gain deep insights into various professions. The initiative has been very successful, with over 2,000 attendees in just a few months. The fairs are redefining the role of libraries in modern society by turning them into dynamic arenas for career introspection and guidance.

The Flourishing Influence of Career Fairs at Cape Town’s Libraries

The Magic of Career Fairs

Cape Town’s libraries are hosting career fairs that provide high school students with a stimulating platform to interact with a multitude of career options. These fairs offer a deep dive into the workforce prerequisites and the array of future career alternatives.

In the bustling hub of Cape Town, a captivating transformation is underway – the city’s libraries are hosting career fairs. Renowned as lively and energetic learning environments, these libraries have become a catalyst for career navigation, drawing a steadily growing crowd – more than 2,000 attendees between February and May alone.

The Magic of Career Fairs

Career fairs held at these libraries are hitting the right notes with their target audience, primarily high school students. They provide a stimulating platform for these young learners to interact with a multitude of career options, many of which might be uncharted domains. This platform lays the groundwork for an enlightening expedition into a world of countless professions, thereby expanding the students’ career outlook.

The ingenious brain behind this venture is none other than the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross. These fairs are tailored to offer attendees profound guidance and authentic perspectives. By connecting industry professionals with the learners, the fairs offer a deep dive into the workforce prerequisites and the array of future career alternatives.

Rising Popularity and Overwhelming Response

The reaction to this pioneering initiative has been exceptionally positive. The past year witnessed 13 career fairs attended by nearly 2,000 individuals, mostly high school students. The current year has already seen an impressive tally of 2,443 participants across just eight career fairs.

Among these, the combined expo held in April stands out, where five libraries – Kuyasa, Harare, Masakhane, Nazeema Isaacs, and Kulani – joined forces with 12 City departments and stakeholders. This event alone accounted for nearly 1,000 attendees, showcasing the burgeoning popularity of these fairs.

Several other libraries, including the Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre Library and the Durbanville Library, recorded 750 and 302 attendees respectively, proving the increasing influence of these career fairs. The Southfield Library also hopped on the bandwagon by hosting an expo in February, which drew 200 attendees.

Career Fairs – A Revolution in Career Guidance

Councillor Van der Ross firmly believes in the crucial function these career fairs perform in molding the future of these young learners. The broad spectrum of industries, institutions, organizations, and professionals present at these events create a comprehensive panorama of career opportunities. She passionately encourages learners to seize this chance and partake in these career fairs when held at their local libraries.

With several more career fairs slated for the latter half of the year, the eager anticipation among the learners is clearly visible. The libraries of Cape Town, originally sanctuaries for book enthusiasts, are now transforming into a nexus for career exploration, influencing the lives of thousands of learners. These career fairs are more than mere events; they are a powerful channel for knowledge sharing and a source of motivation for the city’s aspiring professionals.

Redefining Libraries in a Contemporary Society

This initiative of career fairs is indeed scripting a new narrative for Cape Town’s libraries. It is reevaluating the role of libraries in the modern society, morphing them from simple book depositories into dynamic arenas that facilitate career introspection and guidance. This transformation is indeed a remarkable one.

Armed with these career fairs, Cape Town’s libraries are set to continue making a lasting impact in guiding the city’s youth towards a rewarding future. Therefore, keep a close watch on our local libraries, as they are no longer merely quiet aisles of books but lively platforms for career exploration and discovery.

What are the career fairs being held in Cape Town’s libraries?

Cape Town’s libraries are hosting career fairs that provide high school students with a diverse range of career options.

Who can attend these career fairs?

High school students are the primary target audience for these career fairs.

How many attendees have these career fairs attracted?

Over 2,000 attendees have been recorded in just a few months, and the number is steadily growing.

What is the purpose of these career fairs?

These career fairs offer a chance for learners to interact with industry professionals and gain deep insights into various professions, thereby expanding their career outlook.

Who is behind this venture?

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross, is the brain behind this initiative.

What is the impact of these career fairs on Cape Town’s libraries?

These career fairs are redefining the role of libraries in modern society by turning them into dynamic arenas for career introspection and guidance.

Previous Story

Nurturing African Penguins: A Conservation Call from SANCCOB

Next Story

Cape Town’s Youth Day Classic: An Exhilarating Display of Emerging Basketball Talent

Latest from Blog

The South African Rand’s Historic Plunge: A Reflection of Political and Economic Turmoil

In 2025, the South African Rand took a historic nosedive, reaching its lowest point ever against the euro and pound. Political chaos from a controversial national budget, along with new US tariffs, caused panic among investors, leading them to pull money out of the country. On April 9, the rand fell to R21.81/€ and above R25/£, creating a wave of uncertainty and rising inflation in South Africa. This crisis reflects not only economic struggles but also the deep political issues within the nation, urging everyone to unite for a better future.

South Africa’s VAT Controversy: A Battle for Economic Stability and Social Justice

South Africa is facing a heated debate over a proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 16% by 2026. The government believes this hike is necessary to fund vital services like health and education but promises to help lowincome families with expanded social grants and zerorated food items. However, this plan has met fierce opposition from the Democratic Alliance party, which argues it will unfairly burden the poor. As tensions rise within the coalition government, this issue reflects deeper struggles for fairness and justice in a nation still healing from past inequalities. The outcome of this tax increase could change the way South Africa balances economic needs with social responsibility.

Envisioning Hope: The “And yet we imagine” Exhibition

The “And yet we imagine” exhibition at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town is a vibrant celebration of creativity and hope. Running until May 2, 2025, it showcases diverse art forms, from poetry to performance, all aimed at inspiring a sustainable future. Visitors can join workshops and discussions, sharing their own dreams for a better world. This exhibition calls on everyone to imagine together, highlighting the power of art to spark change and unite communities in facing our biggest challenges. It’s a beautiful reminder that, even in tough times, we can dream of a brighter tomorrow.

Controversy Surrounds New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Zulu Parade

The Zulu Parade at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is causing a stir because many South Africans find its imagery offensive. Features like blackface and outdated stereotypes upset people who feel their rich culture is being disrespected. While the parade aims to celebrate African American heritage, it blurs the line between honoring and appropriating Zulu culture. This controversy highlights how important it is to understand and respect different traditions, reminding us to think carefully about how we represent others. Ultimately, it’s a call for more empathy and dialogue in our diverse world.

Navigating Cybersecurity: Lessons from the Cell C Data Breach

The Cell C data breach is a big wakeup call about how important cybersecurity is in our digital lives. It shows that companies need to teach their users how to protect their personal information and be clear about what’s happening when things go wrong. After the breach, Cell C stepped up by creating an Information Hub to help users understand cyber threats and encouraging them to sign up for Protective Registration to guard against fraud. This situation reminds us that staying safe online is not just about technology; it’s also about being smart and aware.