This past weekend, on Saturday 24th April, the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted an event for youth called Pathways to Information at Philippi Village UCT Solution Space in Philippi, which aimed to help match South Africa’s youth with relevant information to help further their education and work life.

Open for free to those aged 16 to 35 seeking opportunities, this registration-only event had limited numbers due to COVID-19 restrictions, and around 40 people were in attendance on the day. 

This unique opportunity created the space for young people to hear directly from and communicate directly with organisations in the education sector, the employment and entrepreneurship sector, as well as the civil society (NGO) sector. 

The first half of the day focused on education opportunities and the second half of the day focused on employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Participating organisations included: University of Cape Town; College of Cape Town; Northlink; CPUT; False Bay College; Raymond Ackerman Academy; Job Starter; and Innovation Hub.

During the event, questions from the attendees covered topics such as what makes someone more employable, and debating the value of a formalised education versus skills development. 

This event forms part of the Bertha’s Centre’s Youth Innovation portfolio outreach activities to support Youth Development in South Africa. 

“This Pathways to Information event was geared towards connecting youth to information. By connecting young people to information and opportunities across four streams - education, employment, entrepreneurship and civil society - the event sought to equip young people with the necessary tools to make more empowered decisions,” says Luvuyo Maseko, Project Manager of the Bertha Centre Youth Innovation portfolio. “We felt the event was a success and look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with the young people in our community.”

With youth unemployment in South Africa at an alarming rate of 74% (among youths aged 15-24), the importance of linking young people with information about the opportunities available to them has become more crucial than ever before. 

To learn more about upcoming opportunities and events such as this, email youthinnovation.gsb@uct.ac.za or WhatsApp 076 397 2981.