BRITS / MANKWE — Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called on young people in the North West to consider careers in the creative and heritage sectors, saying cultural interests such as music, fashion, dance, culinary arts and poetry can be more than hobbies.
‘Heritage to Wealth’ message at ORBIT expo
Speaking at the launch of the fourth Heritage Careers Expo held at ORBIT TVET College’s Mankwe Campus on Tuesday, Manamela framed the event under the theme “Heritage to Wealth: Turning Culture into Careers”. The expo is designed to connect learners and students with career, training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in South Africa’s cultural, creative and heritage industries.
“Your passion can become your profession, and your heritage can become your career,”
Manamela emphasised that heritage carries both cultural and economic value, and that skills development and enterprise support are necessary to unlock that value. He warned that many young people drop out of universities and TVET colleges after choosing programmes they are not passionate about, and he urged learners to use the expo to gather information and discuss alternatives with their parents.
Practical pathways and the role of education
The minister highlighted that careers in areas such as fashion, music, dance and culinary arts can be pursued through formal education. He pointed out that many professionals in the creative sector have benefited from study at universities and other institutions, and he encouraged learners to examine available programmes carefully.
At the ORBIT expo, visitors could meet training providers, employers and entrepreneurs who showcased short courses, formal qualifications and practical skills that lead to employment or self-employment. The event aimed to make the link between cultural practice and sustainable livelihoods clear to learners who may otherwise feel constrained to choose only traditionally prestigious professions.
What the expo offered
- Information on formal study options in creative and heritage fields at universities and TVET colleges.
- Details on short courses, internships and entrepreneurship support for cultural enterprises.
- Networking opportunities with employers, artisans and heritage practitioners.
Exhibitors included local practitioners and training providers who outlined practical steps for turning creative talent into income-generating activity. The expo also provided guidance on funding pathways, work-integrated learning and how to build a portfolio or business plan.
| Event | Location | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Careers Expo (4th edition) | ORBIT TVET College, Mankwe Campus | Heritage to Wealth: Turning Culture into Careers |
Local impact and labour-aware perspective
For the North West—a province with a mixed economy and persistent youth unemployment—the emphasis on creative and heritage careers offers a complementary route to formal employment in the mining and public sectors. Turning creative passions into sustainable livelihoods requires practical support: training that includes business skills, access to markets, and mentorship.
Labour organisations and community leaders have previously warned that without clear pathways and support, many youth entering creative fields risk underemployment or exploitation. The expo’s practical focus on accredited programmes, apprenticeships and enterprise support seeks to address some of those gaps by connecting learners directly to providers and employers.
Advice for learners and parents
Manamela urged learners to speak to their parents and guardians about alternative career choices, and to consider passion as an important factor when choosing fields of study. He cautioned against feeling pressured to pursue so-called elite or conventional careers if those do not align with an individual’s interests and skills.
For learners who could not attend the expo, colleges and training providers in the province offer prospectuses and career guidance services; prospective students are advised to contact their nearest TVET college for information on enrolment, course content and potential funding or bursary options.
The Heritage Careers Expo at ORBIT was one of several provincial initiatives aimed at broadening career information and skills training for youth. By spotlighting the economic potential of cultural industries, organisers and the department hope to open new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship among young people in the North West.
