Job Description

The Department of Home Affairs is inviting unemployed South African youth to apply for the 2026/27 Cadet Learnership Programme, offered in collaboration with the Public Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA).

This is a 12-month learnership programme aimed at providing unemployed young people with theoretical training, practical workplace exposure, skills and experience that can improve their future employment prospects.

The Cadet Learnership Programme forms part of a Youth Development and Empowerment initiative aligned with the objectives of the National Development Plan. Through structured learning and practical workplace experience, successful candidates will gain exposure to the core operations of the Department of Home Affairs, particularly Immigration Services.

The programme includes both theoretical and practical components and provides training connected to the National Certificate: Immigration Services.

Successful applicants will be appointed on a 12-month contract and will receive a monthly stipend of R4,500 for the duration of the programme.

Programme Overview

Employer: Department of Home Affairs
Programme: Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/27
Programme Partner: PSETA
Contract Duration: 12 Months
Stipend: R4,500 per month
Qualification Required: Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate or NQF Level 4 equivalent
Experience Required: No previous work experience specified
Target Group: Unemployed youth
Closing Date: 18 September 2026 at 16:00

Minimum Requirements

Applicants interested in the Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme should meet the following minimum requirements:

• Must be an unemployed young South African.
• Must have completed Grade 12 / Matric / National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
• Applicants must be willing to participate in the full 12-month programme.
• Candidates must be willing to undergo both theoretical and practical workplace training.
• Applicants must be willing to work and learn within the Department of Home Affairs environment.
• Successful candidates will be subjected to pre-employment screening and security checks.
• Applicants should preferably reside within reasonable travelling distance of the Home Affairs office where the opportunity is based.

Preference may be given to applicants who live close to the office where the Cadet Learnership position is available.

Applicants who have previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme as defined by the relevant Public Service directives may not qualify.

Candidates who are currently receiving government financial assistance for another youth development programme may also not be eligible for consideration.

Training and Core Functions

The Cadet Learnership Programme is designed to expose learners to the core functions of the Department of Home Affairs.

Successful candidates can expect exposure to areas related to:

• Immigration Services.
• Home Affairs administrative processes.
• Government service delivery.
• Customer and client services.
• Public Service procedures.
• Immigration-related administrative functions.
• Workplace communication.
• Record and information management.
• Practical workplace responsibilities.
• Theoretical training relevant to the National Certificate: Immigration Services.

The programme combines structured classroom or theoretical learning with practical workplace experience.

This means learners will not only study the relevant concepts but will also be exposed to the day-to-day working environment of the Department of Home Affairs.

Locations

The 2026/27 Cadet Learnership opportunities are being advertised across several provinces, including:

• Gauteng
• Eastern Cape
• North West
• Northern Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Free State
• Western Cape
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Limpopo

A total of approximately 48 Cadet Learnership opportunities are listed across the participating provinces.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the specific centre they wish to apply for because individual Home Affairs offices have their own application details.

Monthly Stipend

Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend of R4,500 for the duration of the 12-month Cadet Learnership contract.

The stipend is intended to support learners while they complete the theoretical and practical components of the programme.

The programme should not be confused with permanent employment. Appointment to the learnership does not automatically guarantee permanent employment with the Department of Home Affairs after completion.

Documents Required

Applicants must prepare a properly completed application before submitting it.

Applications should include:

• A fully completed New Z83 Application for Employment Form, effective from 1 January 2021.
• A comprehensive and updated CV.
• The appropriate job title/centre when applying.
• Employment history, where applicable, showing starting and ending dates.
• Duties performed during previous employment, where applicable.
• Reasons for leaving previous employment.
• Details of at least two recent and contactable employment references, where applicable.

Applicants should ensure that the information provided in the Z83 and CV is complete and accurate.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide supporting documents including:

• A copy of their South African identity document.
• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate.
• Other relevant supporting documentation if requested.

Applicants with qualifications obtained outside South Africa must provide the relevant qualification evaluation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) when required.

Important Information for Applicants

Only a limited number of candidates will ultimately be selected because the Department expects to receive a large volume of applications.

Applicants should therefore ensure that:

• The correct application method is used.
• The Z83 form is completed properly.
• The CV contains the necessary information.
• The correct Home Affairs centre is selected.
• Applications are submitted before the deadline.
• Information supplied is truthful and verifiable.

Successful candidates may undergo security vetting, verification and other pre-employment screening processes.

The Department of Home Affairs reserves the right to make appointments according to operational and service-delivery requirements.

Due to the expected number of applications, individual applications may not be acknowledged.

How to Apply

Applicants must follow the official application instructions provided for the Home Affairs office or province where they wish to complete the learnership.

Applications may be submitted through the designated Department of Home Affairs recruitment email address or through the applicable postal/physical submission address stated for the relevant province.

Applicants should complete the New Z83 form and attach a comprehensive CV before submitting their application.

Downlaod appplication form

check application details below

POST 32/114 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (GAUTENG) (X5 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Krugersdorp Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1a (X1 Post)
• Benoni Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1b (X2 Posts)
• Cresta Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1c (X1 Post)
• Sedibeng Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1d (X1 Post)
• Mamelodi Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1e (X2 Posts)
• [FLAG: centre breakdown sums to X7, post header states X5 — mismatch reported, not corrected]
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentgp@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/115 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (EASTERN CAPE) (X6 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• King Williams Town Ref No: HRMC 58/26/2a (X1 Post)
• Gqeberha Ref No: HRMC 58/26/2b (X1 Post)
• Libode Ref No: HRMC 58/26/2c (X1 Post)
• Queenstown Ref No: HRMC 58/26/2d (X1 Post)
• East London Ref No: HRMC 58/26/2e (X1 Post)
• Port St John Ref No: HRMC 58/26/2f (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentec@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/116 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (NORTH WEST) (X5 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Klerksdorp Ref No: HRMC 58/26/3a (X4 Posts)
• Mankwe Ref No: HRMC 58/26/3b (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentnw@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/117 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (NORTHERN CAPE) (X4 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Kimberley Ref No: HRMC 58/26/4a (X2 Posts)
• Galeshewe Ref No: HRMC 58/26/4b (X2 Posts)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentnc@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/118 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (MPUMALANGA) (X6 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Witbank Ref No: HRMC 58/26/5a (X1 Post)
• Kwa-Mhlanga Ref No: HRMC 58/26/5b (X1 Post)
• Eerstehoek Ref No: HRMC 58/26/5c (X1 Post)
• Standerton Ref No: HRMC 58/26/5d (X1 Post)
• Nelspruit / Mbombela Ref No: HRMC 58/26/5e (X1 Post)
• White River Ref No: HRMC 58/26/5f (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentmp@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/119 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (FREE STATE) (X5 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Bloemfontein Ref No: HRMC 58/26/6a (X2 Posts)
• Phuthaditjhaba Ref No: HRMC 58/26/6b (X1 Post)
• Ref No: HRMC 58/26/6c (X1 Post)
• Bethlehem Ref No: HRMC 58/26/6d (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentfs@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/120 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (WESTERN CAPE) (X6 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Wynberg Ref No: HRMC 58/26/7a (X3 Posts)
• Khayelitsha Ref No: HRMC 58/26/7b (X1 Post)
• Vredendal Ref No: HRMC 58/26/7c (X1 Post)
• George Refno: HRMC 58/26/7d (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentwc@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/121 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (KWAZULU-NATAL) (X6 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Ixopo Ref No: HRMC 58/26/8a (X1 Post)
• New Hanover Ref No: HRMC 58/26/8b (X1 Post)
• Eshowe Ref No: HRMC 58/26/8c (X1 Post)
• Estcourt Ref No: HRMC 58/26/8d (X1 Post)
• Umgeni Ref No: HRMC 58/26/8e (X1 Post)
• Richards Bay Ref No: HRMC 58/26/8f (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentkzn@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

POST 32/122 / CADET LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME (LIMPOPO) (X5 POSTS) — Chief Directorate: Learning & Development
STIPEND: R4 500 per month
CENTRE:

• Polokwane Ref No: HRMC 58/26/9a (X1 Post)
• Giyani Ref No: HRMC 58/26/9b (X1 Post)
• Jane Furse Ref No: HRMC 58/26/9c (X1 Post)
• Thohoyandou Ref No: HRMC 58/26/9d (X1 Post)
• Mokopane Ref No: HRMC 58/26/9e (X1 Post)
  REQUIREMENTS:
• Academic: National Senior Certificate (Matric)
  HOW TO APPLY: Email: Cadetrecruitmentlp@dha.gov.za
  CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026, 16h00.

Applicants should carefully select their preferred province and centre and follow the corresponding official Department of Home Affairs application instructions.

Applications must reach the Department before the closing deadline.

Closing Date

18 September 2026 at 16:00

Late applications may not be considered.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible rather than waiting until the closing date.