For unemployed young South Africans, gaining practical experience can be just as important as obtaining a qualification. The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027 offers an opportunity to develop workplace skills while receiving a monthly stipend.
The programme runs for 12 months and is available across all nine provinces. Successful learners will receive a R4,500 monthly stipend and gain exposure to the Department of Home Affairs, including its core business in Immigration Services.
The opportunity is aimed at unemployed youth who have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification. However, applicants should understand that this is a learnership rather than a permanent government job.
Here is what potential applicants need to know before applying. See section 9 below to apply.
Table of Contents
1. Overview of the Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership
The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership is designed to help unemployed young people gain practical workplace experience and develop skills that may support future employment.
The programme combines theoretical learning with practical workplace exposure. This means learners will not only study information but will also have the opportunity to understand how a government department operates in a real working environment.
The programme is linked to the Department of Home Affairs’ work, particularly Immigration Services. This may allow learners to gain insight into public-service operations, administrative processes and the importance of serving members of the public professionally.
It is important to remember that completing a learnership does not automatically guarantee permanent employment with the Department.
2. Who Can Apply?
The programme is aimed at unemployed youth who meet the minimum educational requirement.
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12 or a National Senior Certificate.
- An equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
- The ability to attend the workplace where the learnership is offered.
- The required documents for the application.
- No disqualifying participation in certain previous public-service youth development programmes.
The advert states that preference will be given to young people who live close to the office where the learnership is based. This is important because learners will be expected to report to the relevant workplace during the programme.
Applicants should therefore choose a location they can realistically reach and should not apply without considering transport, attendance and the practical demands of the programme.
Young people who are already receiving financial assistance from another government youth development programme may also be excluded from consideration, depending on the programme involved.
3. What the Programme Offers
The biggest value of the Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership is the combination of training and workplace exposure.
Successful learners will receive:
Practical workplace experience
Learners will have the opportunity to experience a government working environment rather than relying only on classroom-based learning.
This can help participants understand workplace expectations, professional conduct, teamwork and the importance of completing tasks accurately.
Theoretical training
The programme includes a learning component designed to support the practical experience.
The combination may help learners connect what they study with what they encounter in the workplace.
Exposure to Immigration Services
The advert states that learners will be exposed to the Department of Home Affairs’ core business, including Immigration Services.
This could be useful for young people interested in public administration, government services, customer-facing work or related career paths.
A stronger CV
Twelve months of workplace exposure can help applicants build a more detailed CV.
Although the programme does not guarantee permanent employment, the experience may be useful when applying for future jobs, internships or additional training opportunities.
4. Where the Opportunities Are Available
The Department of Home Affairs has listed opportunities across all nine provinces.
The available locations and post numbers include:
Gauteng — 5 posts
- 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)
Eastern Cape — 6 posts
- 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)
North West — 5 posts
- Klerksdorp Ref No: HRMC 58/26/3a (X4 Posts)
- Mankwe Ref No: HRMC 58/26/3b (X1 Posts)
Northern Cape — 4 posts
- Kimberley Ref No: HRMC 58/26/4a (X2 Posts)
- Galeshewe Ref No: HRMC 58/26/4b (X2 Posts)
Mpumalanga — 6 posts
- 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)
Free State — 5 posts
- 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)
Western Cape — 6 posts
- 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)
KwaZulu-Natal — 6 posts
- 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)
Limpopo — 5 posts
- 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)
The advert lists the provincial locations, reference numbers and post allocations for the programme. Applicants should select the correct province and use the matching reference number when applying.
5. The Monthly Stipend and Contract Period
Successful learners will receive a R4,500 stipend per month for the duration of the programme.
The learnership runs for 12 months, making the total stated stipend value R54,000 over the full period, before considering any personal expenses or deductions that may apply.
The stipend should not be confused with a permanent salary. The advert clearly describes the opportunity as a 12-month learnership and not a permanent appointment.
Applicants should consider the stipend alongside their transport, food and other daily costs before accepting a placement.
6. Documents Required for the Application
Applicants must submit the required documents in the format requested by the Department.
The application must include:
- A fully completed New Z83 Application for Employment Form.
- A comprehensive CV.
- Complete employment and education information.
- Employment start and end dates, where applicable.
- Job titles and duties performed.
- Reasons for leaving previous employment.
- Details of at least two contactable employment references.
The advert states that shortlisted applicants will later be required to provide copies of their ID document and Grade 12 certificate. Applicants with foreign qualifications may also need to provide a SAQA evaluation report where applicable.
Even if an applicant has no formal employment history, the CV should still clearly explain their education, skills, volunteer experience, community involvement or other relevant activities.
7. How to Complete the Application Correctly
A large number of applications may be received, so applicants should pay close attention to the instructions.
Before submitting, make sure you:
- Complete the New Z83 form fully.
- Attach a comprehensive and updated CV.
- Select the province and centre where you want to apply.
- Use the correct reference number for the preferred centre.
- Use the correct provincial email address.
- Include the correct post number and job title.
- Check that your contact details are accurate.
- Include complete employment information.
- Provide at least two contactable references.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
The Department specifically warns that using the wrong reference number or leaving out important information could affect an application.
Applicants should also avoid sending multiple incomplete applications to different email addresses without checking the instructions for the selected province.
8. Important Eligibility and Screening Information
Applicants should understand that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
The Department may conduct pre-employment screening and security checks. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide supporting documents before progressing further in the recruitment process.
The advert also states that applications will not be acknowledged in writing and that only shortlisted candidates will receive further correspondence.
Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks after the closing date should accept that their applications were unsuccessful.
It is also important to remember that the Department reserves the right to place or reject applications according to its service-delivery needs and requirements.
9. How to Apply
Applications must be sent to the provincial email address that matches the province where the applicant is applying, with the new Z83 form and updated CV attached.
Download the New Editable Z83 Form: Download Here
Provincial application email addresses
- Gauteng: Cadetrecruitmentgp@dha.gov.za
- Eastern Cape: Cadetrecruitmentec@dha.gov.za
- North West: Cadetrecruitmentnw@dha.gov.za
- Northern Cape: Cadetrecruitmentnc@dha.gov.za
- Mpumalanga: Cadetrecruitmentmp@dha.gov.za
- Free State: Cadetrecruitmentfs@dha.gov.za
- Western Cape: Cadetrecruitmentwc@dha.gov.za
- KwaZulu-Natal: Cadetrecruitmentkzn@dha.gov.za
- Limpopo: Cadetrecruitmentlp@dha.gov.za
You May Also Be Interested In: Learnership – Wealth Management Opportunity
Applications may also be sent to:
Private Bag X114
Pretoria
0001
They may also be delivered to:
230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street
Pretoria
0001
The closing date is:
18 September 2026 at 16:00
Late applications will not be considered. Applicants should read the full advert carefully and confirm the correct province, reference number, documents and submission method before applying.
See the full job circular here: Home Affairs Cadet Leanership Circular
10. Final Thoughts
The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership offers unemployed youth an opportunity to gain 12 months of practical workplace experience while receiving a R4,500 monthly stipend.
Its availability across all nine provinces makes it relevant to applicants in different parts of South Africa. However, candidates should apply only if they meet the requirements, can attend the selected workplace and understand that the programme does not guarantee permanent employment.
A carefully completed New Z83 form, a comprehensive CV and the correct provincial email address are essential parts of the application.
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