A Cape Town graduate’s decision to stand at a busy intersection with a sign detailing his qualifications has secured him multiple job offers after a video of his efforts went viral on social media. Lwando Gqada, who holds a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, turned to the roadside in Bellville to bypass traditional, unresponsive online application portals.
How the roadside campaign began
Lwando Gqada spent weeks applying for positions through standard digital platforms with little success. According to IOL, Gqada decided to take a more direct approach by standing at a traffic light with a placard that listed his degree and his contact information. He aimed to capture the attention of local commuters and potential employers who might otherwise overlook his digital resume. The strategy shifted the burden of discovery from recruiters to his own physical presence in the community.
The impact of social media visibility
The turning point for Gqada occurred when a passerby filmed him and posted the footage to social media platforms, including TikTok. The video quickly gained traction, circulating among South Africans who shared his contact details to help boost his visibility. As reported by News24, this digital amplification resulted in Gqada receiving numerous calls from interested companies and individuals within days of his initial appearance at the intersection.
Why this method reflects broader labor market challenges
Gqada’s story highlights a growing trend of job seekers in South Africa using unconventional, offline methods to combat high youth unemployment. While the official unemployment rate remains a significant economic hurdle, individual efforts like Gqada’s demonstrate the reliance on personal branding and viral exposure.
Comparing the traditional application process to Gqada’s experience reveals a stark contrast in effectiveness:
- Traditional Portals: High volume of applicants, automated filtering, and frequent lack of feedback.
- Direct Engagement: High risk of public exposure, but allows for immediate human connection and rapid vetting by potential employers.
What happens next for the graduate
Gqada is currently in the process of vetting the job offers he received following the viral exposure. He stated to local media that he is reviewing opportunities that align with his civil engineering qualifications. His experience serves as a case study for the efficacy of “guerilla” job seeking in a competitive market where digital anonymity often prevents qualified candidates from reaching hiring managers.
Key Takeaways
- Lwando Gqada, a civil engineering graduate, used a roadside sign to find work after digital applications failed.
- A viral video accelerated his job search, leading to multiple professional inquiries.
- The case underscores the difficulties graduates face in the South African job market and the power of social media to disrupt traditional hiring pipelines.
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