Safety And Security Career Expo

KwaMashu was transformed into a hub of opportunity on 26 June as more than 400 Grade 12 learners from Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu gathered at the Princess Magogo Stadium for eThekwini Municipality’s Safety and Security Career Expo.

The Expo is a strategic Municipal initiative aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and exposure needed to unlock their potential and pursue meaningful careers in the safety and security sector.

For many learners, careers in safety and security have traditionally been associated with policing.

The Expo challenged this perception by showcasing diverse opportunities across law enforcement, emergency services, private security, disaster management and related fields.

The event highlighted the critical role these sectors play in building safer communities while creating pathways to sustainable employment and addressing skills shortages within the industry.

Hosted in one of the Municipality’s priority development areas, where crime remains a significant challenge, the Expo connected learners with government departments, training institutions and industry experts.

Participants gained valuable insights into career pathways, skills development programmes and employment opportunities within the safety and security sector.

Speaking at the event, eThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni said the Expo is about changing mindsets, closing the skills gap and empowering young people to shape their own futures.

“This initiative responds directly to the growing challenge of graduate unemployment and the mismatch between career choices and labour market demands,” said Deputy Mayor Myeni.

She noted that many young people remain unaware of the wide range of careers available within the sector.

“This Expo ensures that learners are exposed, informed and equipped at a critical stage of their education to make sound career choices that open real opportunities for employment and personal growth.”

The Deputy Mayor added that with youth unemployment remaining one of South Africa’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, initiatives such as the Expo help bridge the gap between education and the labour market.

“When we guide our youth towards relevant skills and careers, we are securing their future while strengthening our communities,” she said.

One of the learners, Alwande Mbelu from Senzokwethu Secondary School, described the Expo as a life-changing experience.

“This Expo has opened my eyes to opportunities I didn’t know existed. I now understand that safety and security is much bigger than policing, and there are career paths I can explore to build my future and make a difference in my community,” she said.

Through initiatives such as the Safety and Security Career Expo, eThekwini Municipality continues to unlock youth potential, expand access to career opportunities and empower young people to become active contributors to safer, more resilient and economically inclusive communities.