Becoming Employable in South Africa: Skills, Strategies & Shifting Mindsets
On 24 July 2025, Kagiso Trust, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg Faculty of Education, hosted another insightful session in the Education Conversations series — a platform for critical dialogue among education stakeholders to advance transformation and sustainable progress within South Africa’s education landscape.
Titled “Becoming Employable in South Africa: Skills, Strategies & Shifting Mindsets,” the session brought together experts from academia, economic development, and the youth employment sector. The conversation tackled one of the most pressing issues of our time: youth employability in a country where formal job opportunities are limited, yet human potential is abundant.
The dialogue focused on unpacking what it truly means to be employable beyond having a formal qualification. The following key themes emerged:
- Shifting Mindsets: Moving from job-seeking to value creation — encouraging young people to see themselves as problem-solvers and contributors to society.
- The Real Skills Needed: Highlighting the demand for foundational, technical, digital, and soft skills essential to thrive in a dynamic economy.
- The Role of Education & Community: Reimagining how schools, higher education institutions, and communities can better prepare youth for work and entrepreneurship.
Watch the Recording
If you missed the live session, you can still benefit from the conversation. Watch the full recording here
Speakers
Dr Lucky Maluleke
Dr. Lucky Maluleke is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Fort Hare, specializing in career development and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He is known for his work in career counselling, guidance, and development, particularly for youth. He also researches career decision-making and promotes post-school education and training. He is adept at conducting extensive research in the field, with a focus on enhancing individuals’ career paths and facilitating their professional growth. Lucky is experienced in teacher education and development, specialising in subjects such as Curriculum Studies and Assessment Practices, Vocational Pedagogy, Workplace-Based Learning, Pedagogical Perspectives, Vocational Education for Social Change, and History of Technical and Vocational Education and Training. As a Careership scholar, he has developed a strong foundation in career counselling, guidance, and development. With his teaching experience in various subjects related to teacher education and vocational pedagogy, Lucky possesses the skills to inspire and educate future educators. He is passionate about making a positive impact on individuals’ career journeys and contributing to the advancement of the field through research and practical application.
Download presentation here.
Nomahlubi Mosethedi
Nomahlubi Mosethedi is an accomplished leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning the public, private, and social sectors. Her work bridges programme design, ESG strategy, stakeholder engagement, and youth employment across diverse contexts, from leading government partnerships at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator to managing large-scale crisis response portfolios at the Solidarity Fund.
She has played a key role in shaping public-private solutions, unlocking opportunities for youth through SA Youth and national recruitment initiatives.
Nomahlubi is currently completing her Master’s in Change Leadership at GIBS, where her research explores how public-private partnerships can be reimagined to deliver long-term, sustainable employment outcomes for young people.
Download presentation here.
Prof Nicholas Ngepah
Professor Nicholas Ngepah is a leading economist at the University of Johannesburg, specializing in econometrics and economic development impact assessments. With a deep commitment to addressing poverty, inequality, and inclusive growth, he brings a wealth of experience in development policy, international trade, and economic governance. As coordinator of postgraduate research in economics, he mentors future economists in mastering analytical skills and critical thinking—key assets for employability in today’s dynamic job market.
Professor Ngepah champions a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability, recently expanding his focus to digital inclusion and human development. Through his leadership at the African Institute for Inclusive Growth, he promotes strategies that empower individuals and communities to thrive in evolving economic landscapes. His work exemplifies how a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a purpose-driven mindset can shape impactful careers and inclusive societies.
Download presentation here.
To join the conversation on our social media pages:
Official Hashtag: #EducationConversations
Official Accounts:
Facebook: Kagiso Trust; University of Johannesburg
Twitter: @Kagiso_Trust; @EduFacultyUJ; @YassimKat
*This dialogue forms part of a broader series that fosters collaborative thinking across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Through these webinars, Education Conversations continues to serve as a platform for shaping responsive and inclusive education policies, promoting sustainable transformation in South Africa’s learning landscape.
