In 2025, thousands of South African students faced the harsh reality of limited university placements. Despite 348,212 students earning a Bachelor’s pass and qualifying for admission, the country’s 26 public universities could only accommodate about 202,000 new students. This left over 114,000 qualified learners without access to higher education, according to the Daily Maverick.
This shortage of university placements worsens the already critical challenges in South Africa’s job market. According to a Stats SA report for the fourth quarter of 2024, the official unemployment rate stood at 31.9%, with youth unemployment alarmingly high at 44.6% for individuals aged 15 to 34.
Addressing Unemployment and Limited University Spaces
To address both unemployment and the lack of spaces at universities, the Free State government invited higher learning institutions to participate in the Free State Career Development Services EXPO. The event took place in the Lejweleputswa District, in Welkom at Kopano Sports Centre, attracting a diverse audience, including parents, teachers, post-matriculants, unemployed youth, and individuals seeking opportunities to develop their skills and further their studies
The DaVinci Institute participated as an exhibitor, presenting courses that young people could consider applying for. TT100, a nonprofit company that has been running a business innovation awards programme for organisations and individuals since 1991, was also represented at the event by its Project Manager, Tebogo Thabethe.
Dr Sam February’s Inspiring Speech
Our engagement at the Welkom event on 4 March was highly successful, generating significant interest from students, parents, and educators. The enthusiasm from the youth was evident from the start, particularly after Dr Sam February’s talk, which captivated their attention and sparked meaningful discussions about their future in higher education.
Dr Sam opened his speech by welcoming attendees: “Thank you for joining us here in Welkom, Free State.” He went on to highlight the evolving nature of careers in fields such as supply chain, procurement, marketing, finance, and inventory management, stating that “the way these roles are performed is rapidly evolving, driven by groundbreaking advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Big Data.”
He emphasised the importance of aligning education with technological advancements, saying, “To keep pace, it is essential that our upskilling and development efforts align with these emerging technologies.” He elaborated on how The DaVinci Institute plays a role in this transformation by offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to equip students with “critical thinking, leadership, and innovation skills needed in the digital age.”
A key focus of Dr Sam’s speech was DaVinci’s TIPS™ framework, which he explained as centering on “the Management of Technology, the Management of Innovation, and the Management of People.” He encouraged attendees to embrace continuous learning and apply technology-driven solutions to stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market.
In addition to technical skills, Dr Sam urged students to pursue careers that align with their personal ambitions, noting that “this alignment will not only guide your motivation and fulfilment, but also empower you to contribute meaningfully to an ever-changing workplace.” He concluded by inspiring students to “stay curious, adapt swiftly, and invest in your growth. The future holds remarkable possibilities for those who align their personal development with technological progress.”
Student Interest and Engagement
Many students approached us afterwards, eager to learn more about the opportunities available at DaVinci. A notable number of these students had obtained a Bachelor’s pass in matric, demonstrating strong academic capability and a readiness to transition into higher education.
In total, at least 240 young people enquired about our programmes and expressed genuine interest in pursuing further studies with us. This represents a strong pool of potential leads that could translate into enrolments, provided that we can offer viable pathways to funding.
The Financial Barrier to Higher Education
A key challenge that emerged in Sasolburg repeated itself in Welkom as well—the overwhelming concern regarding financial constraints. Approximately 99% of young people we interacted with cited funding as a major obstacle to pursuing higher education. While their interest in our programmes was high, the lack of accessible funding options was a common concern. This highlights the critical need for institutions like ours to explore sustainable funding solutions, scholarships, or strategic partnerships that can support financially constrained but capable students in accessing quality education.
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