Latest news with #Nontso
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Spaan: The new recruitment platform restoring trust in South Africa's job market
Founder Africa Nontso, alongside a team of industry experts, unveiled Spaan with a mission rooted in rebuilding the credibility of the digital recruitment landscape. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers In a market plagued by scams and fraudulent job schemes, the launch of Spaan, a verification-based online recruitment platform, offers a refreshing perspective aimed at restoring trust among both job seekers and employers. The launch event, held at Workshop 17 in Rosebank on Tuesday, came at a crucial time as South Africa grapples with an alarming rise in unemployment, which has surged from 31.9% to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Statistics South Africa. As expected, South Africans of all ages report in large numbers whenever a job opportunity arises, making the job market a cut-throat and dog-eat-dog business, while the trust deficit with other platforms plummets to an all-time low due to job scams and other fraudulent online schemes. Founder of Spaan, Africa Nontso, revealed that his platform is all about rebuilding trust, expanding the market while ensuring accessibility even to those in the rural areas due to extensive research of the needs of the country's dynamic job market, which cuts across various levels of occupations. "Spaan is about bringing trust back to the job market through three pillars as people no longer trust the job market due to level of trust deficit, and for us, trust is not where we end, but it is where we start as we want to build this market on trust and not on jobs," Nontso said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Nontso, who has worked in the IT industry for over 10 years, indicated that he spent over a year developing this platform in an attempt to bridge the gap between technology and accessibility. At the heart of Spaan is the Spaan Report, a shareable, verified profile that confirms a candidate's personal details, identity, and qualifications with verification statuses that give confidence that every candidate is exactly who they say they are. Furthermore, according to Tlali Taoana, head of the platform's marketing, Spaan is designed to reduce friction in hiring as it helps employers access credible, pre-vetted talent while giving job seekers a fair and trusted way to stand out and prove they're ready to work. "Spaan is inclusive by design. It works across devices and is accessible via mobile, USSD, and WhatsApp, ensuring reach even in communities with limited connectivity. Whether you are a domestic worker in Soweto, a technician in Polokwane, or a graduate in Cape Town, Spaan empowers you to show up with proof and be recognised in both the informal and formal job market. "Spaan isn't just a platform; it's a movement. We're reimagining how hiring works in this country. Being verified and trusted should be the standard, not the exception,' Taoana added.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
New platform Spaan opens new path for South African job seekers
With over 100 000 users in two months, Spaan is revolutionising job hunting in SA by providing verified, shareable profiles for job seekers. Founder and CEO of Spaan Afika Nontso with broadcaster Anele Mdoda at the media launch in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 10 June 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda Amid an above-30% youth unemployment crisis in South Africa, Spaan, the country's first verification-led employment platform, was yesterday officially launched in Johannesburg. Founder Afika Nontso said the platform was 'built to restore trust, dignity, expand access and connect job seekers to real opportunities'. Bridging the gap between tech and accessibility A SAP software product consultant and entrepreneur, Nontso has spent years working on innovative solutions that bridge the gap between technology and accessibility. With extensive experience in USSD, a communications protocol used by GSM cellphone projects, employment solutions and a 'passion for empowering underserved communities', Nontso said he has 'learnt how technology can give people access to jobs'. 'Within two months of being established, our registration has totalled 100 000. This is when I realised that a number of people are out there hungry for job opportunities. 'Verification, inclusivity and accessibility' 'Verification, inclusivity and accessibility is at the core of the platform,' said Nontso. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urges employers to give BEEI youths their 'next opportunity' At the heart of the Spaan report is a shareable, verified profile, confirming a candidate's personal details, identity and qualifications. Spaan chief marketing officer Tlali Taoana said the platform was designed to 'reduce friction in hiring – helping employers access credible, pre-vetted talent, while giving job-seekers a fair and trusted way to stand out and prove they are ready to work'. Designed for all job markets Taoana said Spaan was inclusive by design, working across devices and accessible via mobile, USSD and WhatsApp. 'Whether you are a domestic worker in Soweto, a technician in Polokwane or a graduate in Cape Town, Spaan empowers you to show up with proof and be recognised in both the informal and formal job market. 'Through targeted national campaigns in townships, universities, informal markets and small, medium and micro enterprise networks, Spaan is already activating across the country connecting freelancers, tradespeople and professionals to meaningful employment.' For employers, Spaan simplifies recruitment, said Taoana. NOW READ: The dark picture of youth unemployment in South Africa
