New platform Spaan opens new path for South African 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
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Gauteng Education Department issues apology over assistant teachers' payment delays
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has issued a public apology for the payment delays affecting over 8,000 assistant teachers who were recently recruited under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI). Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has apologised for the delays in processing the details of some of its assistant teachers who have not been paid their stipends this past month. This comes as the new programme involving more than 8,000 assistant teachers began early last month. As a result of the delays, the department has indicated that some might not be paid. "The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) wishes to notify the public, particularly education and general assistants, of potential delays in payment due to an ongoing data verification process. Education and general assistants, of potential delays in payment due to an ongoing data verification process. The placement of assistants officially began on 1 June 2025 across various participating schools under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI)," departmental spokesperson, Steve Mabona said on Monday. One of the assistants based in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, said that she is yet to be paid due to the delays in verification of her details; however, she remains hopeful that she will soon get her stipend. "I am one of the assistant teachers who have not been paid due to the delays. We have been told that we will be paid as soon as the process has been finalised. I hope this will be done by end of this new month. I know that some of the assistants have received their pay slips, and they have been paid," she said. The assistants were recruited as part of the provincial government's efforts in supporting teaching and learning, with Mabona stating that the department acknowledges and commends their contributions to the education system following their recent placements across schools in the province. According to the department, the delays are due to incomplete submission of personal and banking details and other challenges. "While a number of schools have successfully confirmed placements and submitted validated data, a portion of submissions remains under review due to issues such as duplicate or invalid ID numbers, incorrect banking details, and incomplete data entries. These issues have impacted the speed of the verification process. As a result, only assistants whose details have been verified and cleared will receive payment in batches," he stated.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Gauteng education department clarifies payment delays for education and general assistants
The Gauteng department of education (GDE) has confirmed that some education and general assistants may face delays in receiving their stipends due to an ongoing data verification process. The assistants were placed at schools from June 1 as part of the basic education employment initiative (BEEI), a programme aimed at supporting teaching and learning in classrooms across the province. While several schools have completed and submitted verified data for payment, others are still under review. The department said the delays were caused by 'duplicate or invalid ID numbers, incorrect banking details and incomplete data entries'. 'As a result, only assistants whose details have been verified and cleared will receive payment in batches. Those still undergoing verification will be paid once their data is finalised,' said GDE. About 8,000 assistants may be affected in the first payment cycle. The department has urged schools and districts to inform assistants accordingly. The GDE has assured all qualifying participants that they will receive their full payments once the verification process is completed. 'The department is working tirelessly to complete this process before the end of July.'
The South African
17-06-2025
- The South African
Have you heard about the local job seekers platform, Spaan?
Spaan is a South African job seekers platform tailored to the specific needs of people in the local job market. At the launch of this platform on 10 June in Rosebank, Johannesburg, founder Afika Nontso revealed how Spaan will operate. Spaan is an employment platform that connects verified job seekers with verified employers,' he said. The idea is that any crucial documentation you might need to acquire a job is vetted by Spaan. 'So, if you're a job seeker, then at the very least you can get your ID verified. If you are an organisation or a corporation, you have your CIPC verified.' All of this is facilitated through the Spaan platform. 'Employers are only able to see verified job seekers because that's our promise to employers. We are a platform that gives you verified job seekers and we will give you verified employers.' Much like most job seeker platforms, people in search of jobs are able to create profiles which are registered for free. 'They enter their experience, select opportunities, and enter their reference numbers. They're able to select their work locations once they've built up their profile. They're then able to upload documents, which they can then pay to use our verification services.' You can verify your ID, driver's licence, matric certificates, and the portal is also fitted to enable employers to run background checks. All this verification is compiled into what is referred to as the span report. 'It's a document that proves the verification data of an individual. So even if you were to speak to someone outside of the platform, you are able to then generate your span report and send it to any potential employer. 'This span report will be your voice; it will speak for you and prove to this employer that you are a verified individual. That employer would be able to see your verification statuses on the span report.' The same applies to employers who can register a profile of their business and offer genuine roles to job seekers who use Spaan. 'They can send job offers, connect with candidates, and generate reports of candidates in case they want to build up a list of people to hire,' he elaborated. Nontso described the platform as a turnkey solution, intending to build towards enabling psychometric tests as well. 'We've partnered with Managed Integrity Evaluation [MIE]. All of our verification services go through MIE as our trusted verification partner, and that's what we use to ensure the credibility of our verification.' In a country with unemployment sky rocketing, more platforms of this nature are necessary. Spaan does boast a lot of features you might find on LinkedIn, PNet or Gradesmatch for example. Beyond being a locally produced product, Nontso explained how Spaan goes above and beyond being simply just another platform for people to engage in the demands of the procedures of the job market. 'We're probably the only verification-led employment platform. The only employment platform that is accessible on USSD WhatsApp and via our web-based portal. 'We're the only inclusive employment platform which caters for both the informal and formal job market across any industry. Having both verified employers, real jobs and verified employees on the same page is what makes us different.' Find out more about Spaan on all social media sites, including their WhatsApp bot or dial *120*77226# to register. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
