TUT Polokwane champions inspire learners from Tzaneen on an exhilarating Career Expo

 By: Nosipho Mnyandu

A good career choice and journey begins not in the first year of varsity. It is always smart to prepare prior - grade 11 and 12. Good grades and attending those extra classes paves the way, but sometimes you need someone to guide you through making the right career choices. 

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) among other stakeholders visited the town of Tzaneen at the Bonn Community Centre on August 29 to speak to learners about making wise career choices, assisting them with applications, helping them to understand the importance and benefits of being a student at a registered university or TVET college. Not just “any student”, but a top achiever who participates in programmes, not participating in crime, substance abuse, or even bullying.

TUT’s Prof Ricky Mukonza of the Faculty of Humanities in Polokwane shared in his speech some “thrills and perils” of the youth of today. In the perils section, he included the social media dangers, dropping out of school, peer pressure and making the wrong decisions. On a lighter note, he shared the thrills, adding access to information and technology, the power of youth energy and creativity, and opportunities for education and careers. “Choose education as a weapon. Go to school, work hard, and read beyond textbooks and what teachers teach you. Build discipline and character. Success is not only about character but discipline,” he stated.

“It is all in your hands. If you work hard, you can change the course of your current situation. You can beat poverty and make yourself and your parents proud,” said Dr Caiphus Setati, a lecturer from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Polokwane campus. He further spoke about the importance of learners who are from the province to make use of their provided province varsities, emphasizing that they could excel right here at home rather than focusing on studying far.

The day in high spirits with learners being taken through the different processes of registering. From AP Scores, course selection and required documentation. The Polokwane campus looks forward to welcoming them in the year 2026.