A Different Seat at the Table!

Image 1: Pathways Officer, in engaging with Grade 12's who were present at the event

There is a version of collaboration everyone recognises. You have probably lived it yourself, at work, in a community group, even within a family. Someone mentions your name in a room you were never in, and suddenly a door opens that you did not know existed. That is the story behind Axium's invitation to Lutholabantu's career guidance day in Willowvale.

Much of our work involves bringing people together, whether through our programs, our partnerships or broader education conversations. But sometimes collaboration asks us to take a different seat, to show up as a guest, contribute what we know, learn from what others are building, and become part of something already in motion.

That was the case on 23 July 2026, when our team joined the event, bringing together Grade 12 learners from 16 local high schools as they explored one of the biggest questions facing them: what comes after matric? The day was led by Lutholabantu Career Guidance and the Mbhashe Local Municipality, with Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela University, the Department of Basic Education, Standard Bank South Africa, Telkom, the South African Police Service, Willowvale Art Centre, First National Bank and Axium Education all contributing to it.

Image 2: team setting up Axium exhibition area.

Willowvale is not unfamiliar ground for us. Through our Public Schools Partnership work and our collaboration with Year Beyond under the Public Employment Programme, we run a satellite office in the area, with youth facilitators placed there to drive foundational literacy and numeracy work in local schools. So, this was not a case of an outside organisation stepping into a new community. It was a familiar face being invited to a different kind of table. 

For us, the story began before we even arrived. Axium was recommended through the district office at the Eastern Cape Department of Education as an organisation that should be part of the engagement. There is something special about being mentioned in a room you are not in. It tells us that relationships matter, that people are paying attention to the work happening across our communities, and that collaboration can open doors organisations might not reach on their own.

Our Special Projects and Pathways teams spent the day with learners, exploring the many possibilities that exist beyond Grade 12. Alongside conversations about further education and career pathways, learners were introduced to growing fields such as Artificial Intelligence, coding and other technology-related careers. Pathways Officers Alulutho Khatywa and Isiphile Ndakisa put it simply: this was about more than career guidance. It was about connecting young people to information, opportunities and people who could help them see what is possible for their future.

Image 3: The team representatives engage with Grade 12 learners at the information table. Offering insights on potential career pathways and educational opportunities.

Universities spoke to further study. Financial institutions, government departments and other organisations brought their own knowledge and opportunities. Lutholabantu Career Guidance created the platform. No single organisation had to carry the whole conversation, and together the offering became bigger than anything one organisation could have managed alone.