Unemployment in South Africa is not just a statistic; it’s a lived reality for millions of young people. In communities like Soweto, many people are qualified, motivated, and eager to work, but face barriers that stand in their way: lack of access to verified opportunities, high costs of job-seeking, and limited visibility to potential employers.
At Spaan, we know that tackling unemployment requires more than technology alone. It requires presence, trust, and direct engagement. That’s why we launched the Soweto Field Force, a team dedicated to supporting young people right where they are.
For the past two months, Spaan’s Field Force has been out in Soweto, meeting communities where they are and helping them take steps toward meaningful employment. From bustling taxi ranks to community halls, their mission has been clear: connect the unemployed to opportunities, one verification at a time.
Meeting The Community Where It Matters
Spaan understands that many young people face barriers in accessing job opportunities, whether it’s navigating online platforms, verifying important documents, or building a strong profile. That’s where the Field Force comes in:
- Registration support – helping community members sign up on the Spaan platform
- Document verification – ensuring IDs, certificates, and key documents are securely uploaded and validated.
- Profile building – assisting youth in showcasing their skills, education, and experience in a way employers value.
- Application guidance – showing how to apply for jobs through WhatsApp or online in a few easy steps.
By providing hands-on support, the Field Force has turned what could be a complicated process into an accessible, empowering experience.
These efforts are not just administrative they are transformative. By guiding young people through the process, the Field Force is turning what often feels like a dead end into a path toward hope and employability.
Real Impact
In just two months, the Soweto Field Force has:
- Registered 14 350 users
- Verified 2 163 users
Real Impact
Numbers alone don’t capture the full picture. Behind every statistic is a young person with aspirations.
Take Ayanda, a recent graduate who had been struggling with document verification.
“I always worried that my applications wouldn’t be taken seriously because my documents weren’t verified. Spaan helped me get everything checked on the spot, and now I feel confident submitting applications.”
Or Lerato, who was discouraged by the costs of traditional job-seeking.
“I am used to spending money printing CVs and taking taxis to drop them off. With Spaan, I can do everything digitally, and it saves me so much time and money.”
For Lindiwe, the difference is visibility.
“On Spaan, my profile gets seen. I know employers are looking at verified candidates like me, and that gives me hope.”
Employers are also seeing the benefit of connecting with verified candidates. By reducing the risk of fraudulent credentials, they save time, resources, and can focus on finding the right fit.
Voices From the Community
We asked some of the community members about their experience:
- “It’s easy to use, and I feel like someone actually cares about helping us.”
- “I can apply without worrying about losing money on data or transport. Everything is in one place.”
These voices remind us why the Field Force is essential: they’re not just helping individuals; they’re building trust and visibility in the local job market.
Building Trust in the Job Market
One of the biggest barriers to youth employment is the lack of trust. Employers worry about fraudulent documents, and job seekers worry about scams. Spaan addresses this by creating a safe, transparent, and inclusive ecosystem where both sides can connect confidently.
Feedback from the field has been clear:
- 70% of community members say they feel more employable after registering on Spaan
- Employers highlight the time saved by having access to verified candidates in one place
This growing trust is not just changing individual job searches it’s helping to reshape the job market in Soweto itself.
Looking Ahead
The work in Soweto is only the beginning. Spaan is committed to reaching more communities, ensuring people everywhere can access opportunities, build their profiles, and secure meaningful work.
The first two months of Spaan’s Field Force in Soweto have shown what’s possible when technology, community, and opportunity come together. The impact goes beyond numbers it’s about restoring confidence, creating visibility, and giving both job seekers and employers a safer, smarter way to connect.
But this is just the beginning.
Whether you’re a young person ready to start your career journey, or an employer searching for reliable, verified candidates, Spaan is here to make the connection. Register, verify, and join us in building a safer, more centralized job market — one verification at a time.
👉 Visit us at www.spaan.co.za or connect with us directly on WhatsApp at +27 77 449 5964 to get started today.
