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The Mount Pleasant Sportsground in Hermanus was a hype of activity as Department of Employment and Labour and Overstrand Local Municipality's Jobs and Careers Fair conclude today, 20 February 2026.

The Jobs and Careers Fair conclude a series of activities that were taking place through the “Taking Services to the People campaign" in the Overberg District Municipality since 10 February 2026.

The jobs and Careers Fair exposed workseekers to a variety of work opportunities and they were assisted in completing the Z83 application form for government posts.

According to the Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Mawele Ntamo, the Jobs and Careers Fairs attracted more than 1 482 workseekers.  “As the Department we provided registration services for workseekers in our Employment Services of South Africa system's database for opportunities where some were matched and even assisted in completing Z83 form."

In addition, the department registered 116 visits for unemployment insurance fund. Of the total visits 48 were enquiries and 50 were new claims. They processed 18 payments to the tune of R67 956.00.

Addressing the Employer Session held by the Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the Overstrand Local Municipality the previous day, Deputy Director General Sam Morotoba told stakeholders that there are a lot of things that can be done for young people when all work together.

Morotoba told the gathering that the Department has a variety of programmes that are meant to assist youth to get employed. He called on stakeholders to join hands and work together to make sure that youths are employed. He cited the Labour Activation Programme as the flagship programme that the Department uses to put youth into work.

Morotoba voiced the Department's concern on employers who prefer to employ illegal foreign nationals instead of South Africans for jobs that do not require special or rare skills that are not available is the country.

“There are those who prefer to employ undocumented foreign nationals. This creates risk as these people can do anything unlawful and are difficult to trace," Morotoba warned.

He told the gathering that 'An idle mind is a very dangerous mind'. He encouraged businesses to employ the youth thus investing in them as they will be able to pay for services and grow the local economy. He told the gathering that when these youth get angry all will be affected including the same businesses that employ illegal foreign nationals.

According Xolile Kosi, Manager: Socio-Economic Services in the Overstrand Municipality, their relationship with the department has been long overdue. He said they will be working with the department to engage other stakeholders in making sure that youth are prepared and assisted to enter the job market.

The employer session, attended by business, organised labour and other invited guests was held yesterday paving the way for the Jobs and Careers Fair which started on the day.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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