The GoDigital Career Expo 2025, held on Monday, 27 October 2025 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Westville Campus, marked another milestone in driving digital awareness and career readiness among South Africa’s youth. The event brought together 510 learners from various schools across KwaZulu-Natal, offering them an immersive experience into the world of digital careers, innovation, and emerging technologies.
Hosted by CyberM8 Initiative NPC in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier and UKZN, the Expo served as a dynamic platform to expose learners to future-fit career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) — key enablers of South Africa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) agenda.
Inspiring the Future Workforce
The day began with a warm welcome and opening by Ms Lihle Ngwane, Project Coordinator at CyberM8, followed by an engaging icebreaker session led by Mr Sizwe Mkhize, setting an energetic tone for the day.
Mr Thabang Phala, Chief Empowerment Officer at CyberM8, outlined the purpose of the Expo, emphasising the importance of preparing learners for careers in a rapidly digitising economy. “Our goal is to connect education, technology, and opportunity — ensuring that no learner is left behind as South Africa advances in the digital era,” said Mr Phala.
Insightful Presentations and Demonstrations
The learners were treated to insightful presentations from leading institutions and innovators:
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Ms Londeka Mzobe, School Liaison Officer at UKZN, highlighted the university’s diverse academic pathways and its commitment to research and innovation.
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Dr Tanja Reinhardt, Science Centre Coordinator at the Science and Technology Education Centre (STEC@UKZN), inspired learners with practical demonstrations on science and technology education.
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Mr Mvelo Hlope, Founder and CEO of Zaio Technology Institute, shared how young people can gain digital skills and pursue careers in coding, web development, and app design.
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Mr Fanie Ndlovu, Co-Founder and CEO of VarsityGenie, presented tools and resources designed to help learners navigate university applications and career planning.
Hands-On Exhibitions and Networking
Learners also engaged with interactive exhibitions featuring innovative products, educational institutions, and digital career resources. These exhibitions offered practical insights into career opportunities and pathways that align with South Africa’s digital transformation goals.
A Step Towards Digital Inclusion
The success of the GoDigital Career Expo 2025 reinforces the importance of early exposure to digital skills and innovation among learners. By connecting education and technology, initiatives like this play a critical role in building a digitally skilled and future-ready generation.
As CyberM8 continues to drive digital transformation across the country through programmes such as the NextGen Skills Bootcamps and the upcoming 4iR Career Expo, the vision remains clear: empower, equip, and connect South Africa’s youth to the opportunities of tomorrow.
