Young South African learners participating in Home Affairs Cadet Learnership training

Home Affairs Opens Cadet Learnership 2026: 12 Months, R4,500 Stipend and Multiple Locations

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Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027: Requirements, Stipend and How to Apply

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is inviting unemployed South African youth with Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification to apply for its 2026/27 Cadet Learnership Programme.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Public Service Education and Training Authority (PSETA) and will run under a 12-month contract. The learnership combines theoretical training with practical workplace experience and focuses on the National Certificate: Immigration Services.

The advertised stipend is R4,500 per month, and opportunities are listed across several South African provinces, including Gauteng, Eastern Cape, North West, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.

The closing date is 18 September 2026 at 16:00. Applicants must follow the specified application process and use the correct reference number and application address.

Quick Opportunity Overview

OpportunityDetails
ProgrammeCadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027
OrganisationDepartment of Home Affairs
PartnerPSETA
Opportunity typeLearnership
Contract duration12 months
QualificationNational Certificate: Immigration Services
Minimum qualificationNational Senior Certificate (Matric) or NQF Level 4 equivalent
StipendR4,500 per month
LocationsMultiple centres across 9 provinces
Closing date18 September 2026
Closing time16:00
Application methodEmail or post/manual submission as specified
Age requirementNot specified in the supplied advertisement
Work experienceNot specified as required; applicants must be unemployed youth

About the Opportunity

The DHA Cadet Learnership Programme is a youth development initiative designed to help unemployed young South Africans gain skills, knowledge and practical experience.

The 12-month programme contains both theoretical and practical components. Training is linked to the National Certificate: Immigration Services, giving learners exposure to the core business area of Immigration Services within Home Affairs.

The department states that the initiative supports the National Development Plan’s objective of strengthening the capacity of the state while helping young people participate more meaningfully in the labour market.

Successful candidates will receive a R4,500 monthly stipend for the duration of the learnership contract.

Who Can Apply?

The supplied advertisement states that applications are invited from unemployed youth who:

  • Are South African youth.
  • Have a Grade 12/National Senior Certificate or NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.
  • Meet the requirements specified for the advertised Cadet Learnership Programme.
  • Have not previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme as described in the applicable directive.
  • Are not currently receiving another form of government financial assistance for a youth development programme.

The advertisement also states that preference will be given to youth who live close to the office where the post is based.

Requirements

The stated minimum educational requirement is:

National Senior Certificate (Matric)

or

NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification

The supplied advertisement does not state a specific tertiary qualification as a requirement.

Applicants must also pay attention to the previous-participation restriction. Candidates who have previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme, as outlined in the applicable directive, are not eligible.

The advertisement also excludes applicants who are currently receiving any form of government financial assistance for a youth development programme.

Stipend/Salary

Stipend: R4,500 per month

The advertised amount applies to successful candidates for the duration of the 12-month Cadet Learnership Programme contract.

This is described as a stipend rather than a permanent employment salary.

Duration

Duration: 12 months

The programme operates under a 12-month contract and combines theoretical training with practical workplace learning.

The programme is focused on the National Certificate: Immigration Services.

Location

Cadet Learnership positions are advertised in multiple provinces and centres.

Gauteng

  • Krugersdorp — Ref: HRMC 58/26/1a
  • Benoni — Ref: HRMC 58/26/1b
  • Cresta — Ref: HRMC 58/26/1c
  • Sedibeng — Ref: HRMC 58/26/1d
  • Mamelodi — Ref: HRMC 58/26/1e

Eastern Cape

  • King Williams Town — Ref: HRMC 58/26/2a
  • Gqeberha — Ref: HRMC 58/26/2b
  • Libode — Ref: HRMC 58/26/2c
  • Queenstown — Ref: HRMC 58/26/2d
  • East London — Ref: HRMC 58/26/2e
  • Port St John — Ref: HRMC 58/26/2f

North West

  • Klerksdorp — Ref: HRMC 58/26/3a
  • Mankwe — Ref: HRMC 58/26/3b

Northern Cape

  • Kimberley — Ref: HRMC 58/26/4a
  • Galeshewe — Ref: HRMC 58/26/4b

Mpumalanga

  • Witbank — Ref: HRMC 58/26/5a
  • Kwa-Mhlanga — Ref: HRMC 58/26/5b
  • Eerstehoek — Ref: HRMC 58/26/5c
  • Standerton — Ref: HRMC 58/26/5d
  • Nelspruit/Mbombela — Ref: HRMC 58/26/5e
  • White River — Ref: HRMC 58/26/5f

Free State

  • Bloemfontein — Ref: HRMC 58/26/6a
  • Phuthaditjhaba — Ref: HRMC 58/26/6b
  • Additional Free State centre — Ref: HRMC 58/26/6c
  • Bethlehem — Ref: HRMC 58/26/6d

Western Cape

  • Wynberg — Ref: HRMC 58/26/7a
  • Khayelitsha — Ref: HRMC 58/26/7b
  • Vredendal — Ref: HRMC 58/26/7c
  • George — Ref: HRMC 58/26/7d

KwaZulu-Natal

  • Ixopo — Ref: HRMC 58/26/8a
  • New Hanover — Ref: HRMC 58/26/8b
  • Eshowe — Ref: HRMC 58/26/8c
  • Estcourt — Ref: HRMC 58/26/8d
  • Umgeni — Ref: HRMC 58/26/8e
  • Richards Bay — Ref: HRMC 58/26/8f

Limpopo

  • Polokwane — Ref: HRMC 58/26/9a
  • Giyani — Ref: HRMC 58/26/9b
  • Jane Furse — Ref: HRMC 58/26/9c
  • Thohoyandou — Ref: HRMC 58/26/9d
  • Mokopane — Ref: HRMC 58/26/9e

Important location note

The supplied advertisement contains an inconsistency in the Gauteng listing: the heading states “X5 posts”, while the centre breakdown indicates 1 post in Krugersdorp, 2 in Benoni, 1 in Cresta, 1 in Sedibeng and 2 in Mamelodi, which totals 7.

Youthscope therefore does not state an overall national number of posts unless this discrepancy is clarified by the official DHA source.

Documents Required

The application must include:

  • Fully completed New Z83 Application for Employment Form
  • Comprehensive CV
  • Details of at least two contactable employment references

The CV must include employment information such as:

  • Start and end dates in dd/mm/yy format
  • Job title
  • Duties performed
  • Reason for leaving each employment period

Shortlisted candidates will additionally be required to provide:

  • Copy of ID document
  • Grade 12 certificate

Applicants with foreign qualifications must provide the SAQA-evaluated results for those qualifications.

How to Apply

Applications must follow the DHA’s specified application directions.

Step 1: Complete the New Z83 Application for Employment Form, effective from 1 January 2021.

Step 2: Prepare a comprehensive CV containing the required employment history and at least two contactable references.

Step 3: Clearly identify the correct post number, job title and reference number for the location you are applying for.

Step 4: Submit the application using the email address or postal/manual submission details listed for the relevant province.

Step 5: Submit before 18 September 2026 at 16:00.

Provincial application email addresses

The advertisement also provides the following postal/manual submission address:

Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001

or

230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria, 0001

Applicants should use the application address corresponding to the province/post they are applying for.

Closing Date

18 September 2026 at 16:00

This is the stated closing date and time for the Cadet Learnership Programme.

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline rather than relying on last-minute submission.

Important Things to Know Before Applying

There are several important conditions applicants should check before submitting:

  • The programme is for unemployed youth.
  • The minimum qualification is Matric/National Senior Certificate or NQF Level 4 equivalent.
  • The programme lasts 12 months.
  • The stipend is R4,500 per month.
  • Preference will be given to youth living close to the office where the post is based.
  • Previous participation in a qualifying Public Service Youth Development Programme makes an applicant ineligible.
  • Applicants currently receiving government financial assistance for a youth development programme are not eligible.
  • Shortlisted applicants will need to provide an ID and Grade 12 certificate.
  • Foreign qualifications require SAQA evaluation results.
  • Successful candidates will undergo pre-employment screening and security checks.
  • DHA states that applications will not be acknowledged individually because a large number of applications is expected.
  • Only a certain number of applicants will ultimately be selected.

Who Should Consider This Opportunity?

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to unemployed South African youth who have completed Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification and are looking for structured workplace learning.

It may also appeal to candidates interested in gaining exposure to Immigration Services and public-sector operations.

However, applicants should first check the previous-programme participation and government-financial-assistance restrictions before applying.

Those living near one of the advertised centres may also be well placed to consider the opportunity because the DHA states that preference will be given to youth residing close to the relevant office.

Final Thoughts

The Department of Home Affairs’ 2026/27 Cadet Learnership Programme provides unemployed youth with a 12-month combination of theoretical and practical training linked to the National Certificate: Immigration Services.

The advertised stipend is R4,500 per month, with opportunities listed across multiple provinces.

The most important deadline is 18 September 2026 at 16:00.

Applicants should use the correct provincial email address, reference number and job title, and make sure the New Z83 and CV are completed properly.

Because the supplied advertisement contains a discrepancy in the Gauteng post count, applicants should rely on the official DHA advertisement for the final number of available posts.

Official Source and Application

Official organisation: Department of Home Affairs

Programme: Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027

Closing date: 18 September 2026 at 16:00

Official application method: Provincial Cadet Recruitment email addresses and postal/manual submission details specified in the DHA advertisement.

DHA application address:

Private Bag X114
Pretoria
0001

or

230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street
Pretoria
0001

Applicants should consult the official Department of Home Affairs/DPSA vacancy publication and use the application instructions applicable to their selected post.

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Author/Updated Information

Written by: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Published: 5 September 2026
Updated: 5 September 2026
Information checked: 5 September 2026

Editorial note: This article is based on the Department of Home Affairs advertisement supplied for the 2026/27 Cadet Learnership Programme. Youthscope has not estimated or invented requirements, stipends, dates or eligibility conditions. Where the supplied advertisement contains conflicting information, the discrepancy has been identified rather than resolved through assumption.

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