MEC Mance
Mangaung
The Central University of Technology (CUT) and the Free Online Network (fsOnlinenetwork) hosted a Youth Business Breakfast on 19 June 2026 in Bloemfontein. The session saw a youthful base of business people and those from local high schools gracing the occasion where deliberations were based on the strategic intent, outcomes and objectives of both Chapter 1&2.
The Business Breakfast was held under the Theme: “Does Youth Day Still Belong to the Youth?”
Young people from the floor raised critical points around the lack of opportunities and empowerment information not available at their disposal. “I do not know what field should I pursue my career into after I complete my National Certificate/Matric this year. I have never been taken through the career guidance course or sessions at my school and we need such information to assist us make better choices,” echoed one young lad from a local high school in Bloemfontein.
Dr. Bernard Sebake, Dean of Student Affairs at the CUT encouraged the young people in attendance to be in charge of the current period with its positive opportunities it provides. “The youth of today should chant a different wayforward different from the period of 1976. You ought not to lose the consciousness factor though as the struggle for total emancipation is not attained yet,” added Dr. Sebake.
“The need and efforts to make impactful strides in the unemployment rate needs a collaborative approach,” said MEC Mance. The Department of Public Works & Infrastructure through its youth empowerment and skills development programmes like the National Youth Service (NYS), the Artisan Development Programme and EPWP continue to contribute positively to workplace training and placement and skills transfer initiatives.
In attendance was the MEC for Treasury and Economic Development, Toto Makume. “As young people you need to share empowerment information amongst yourselves the same way you share social media information amongst yourselves. You equally need to become rebels against the ill and wrongs doings happening around you,” alluded MEC Makume.
