Primestars CEO Nkosinathi Moshoana said there is no single path that suits every school leaver, as South Africa’s 2026 matric exams continue. He shared his advice with BONA magazine.
Moshoana leads Primestars, a youth development organisation. He said young people need more than a qualification to reach good opportunities.
“We cannot demand experience while refusing to give them their first chance,” Moshoana told BONA, speaking about the role of employers.
According to Moshoana, further study can be a good choice for learners who know what career they want. They also need the right course and the money to pay for it.
He said signing up for a course only because friends are doing so could lead to expensive mistakes.
Moshoana said a gap year can also help, as long as the learner has a plan for it.
“You might use it to gain work experience, improve your matric results, develop a skill or explore a career before committing to further study,” he said.
He also said many young people cannot choose a gap year at all. Money problems, family duties or few study places can hold back their plans.
His advice to learners is to study for their final exams while keeping an eye on deadlines. These include dates for applications and funding. He said learners should also have a backup plan.
Moshoana said matriculants should use the months after school well, instead of waiting for chances to arrive.
He said this could mean sorting out application papers or practising job interviews with a trusted adult. Learners could also learn digital skills.
Holiday jobs, community projects and job shadowing can give young people work experience, he said. Those with business ideas can look for needs in their communities before spending any money.
Moshoana said a matric certificate is still an important achievement. But he said good marks alone cannot promise a job.
He said employers also want to see practical skills. These include communication, problem solving, teamwork and using technology responsibly.
At the same time, he warned against putting all the pressure on young people. He said employers must create chances for young people to learn and grow.
For school leavers planning ahead, Moshoana pointed to other options. These include TVET colleges, universities of technology, apprenticeships, learnerships and occupational qualifications.
He said starting a business can also be a path. But young people need the right skills, support and access to customers to make it work.
Primestars runs education and mentorship programmes in township and rural schools in all nine provinces. Its learning to earning approach aims to guide young people from school into study, training, jobs and self-employment.
Moshoana said businesses, government, training institutions and community groups must work together to make these chances open to more young people.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Bona. Image: Bona. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.