The Royal Bafokeng Institute (RBI) is inviting unemployed South African youth to apply for its fully funded and paid Artisan Chef Programme 2026 in Phokeng, North West.
The three-year programme leads to a QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef and combines theoretical learning, practical culinary training and workplace experience.
The opportunity is aimed at unemployed South Africans aged 18 to 35 who have completed Grade 12 with Mathematical Literacy and want to develop professional skills for careers in the hospitality, restaurant and catering industries.
The Royal Bafokeng Institute is part of the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s education and skills-development initiatives. The Royal Bafokeng Nation identifies education and skills development as one of the pillars of its long-term development strategy.
Employer
Organisation: Royal Bafokeng Institute (RBI)
Programme: Artisan Chef Programme 2026
Opportunity Type: Occupational Programme / Learnership
Qualification: QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
Duration: 3 years
Funding: Fully funded
Payment: Paid programme
Age Requirement: 18–35 years
Target Group: Unemployed South African youth
Minimum Qualification: Grade 12 with Mathematical Literacy
Location: Phokeng, North West
Application Method: Email or hand delivery
Closing Date: 24 August 2026
Closing Date
Closing Date: 24 August 2026
Eligible applicants should submit their complete applications before the deadline. Early applications are encouraged to avoid missing the opportunity.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be unemployed.
- Have Grade 12 with Mathematical Literacy.
- Not currently participate in another programme funded by government or another public institution.
- Be available to commit to the full three-year programme.
Previous professional chef experience is not listed as a requirement in the supplied opportunity information.
Applicants With Disabilities
Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applicants applying under this provision should provide proof of disability with their application.
Salary / Stipend
Payment: Paid programme.
The opportunity is described as fully funded and paid, but the supplied information does not specify the exact stipend or payment amount.
It also does not specify whether accommodation, transport, meals or uniforms are covered.
Applicants should confirm these details directly with RBI if shortlisted.
Qualification
Successful candidates will work towards the:
QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
The qualification is delivered through a combination of theoretical learning, practical training and workplace-based learning.
Programme Duration
The Artisan Chef Programme runs for:
3 years
Applicants should be prepared to commit to the full three-year training period.
What Participants Will Learn
The programme is designed to develop practical and professional culinary skills relevant to hospitality and food-service environments.
Training may include:
- Planning food preparation.
- Organising kitchen activities.
- Preparing food.
- Cooking meals.
- Finishing and presenting food.
- Following workplace procedures.
- Maintaining professional kitchen standards.
- Working effectively as part of a kitchen team.
- Developing professional hospitality skills.
Career Opportunities
The programme is intended to prepare participants for careers within:
- Hotels.
- Restaurants.
- Catering establishments.
- Hospitality operations.
- Professional kitchens.
- Food-service environments.
Successful completion of the occupational programme can provide a foundation for pursuing work in the culinary and hospitality sectors.
Programme Benefits
According to the supplied opportunity information, successful participants can benefit from:
- Fully funded training.
- A paid programme.
- Three years of structured training.
- A QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef.
- Theoretical culinary learning.
- Practical chef training.
- Workplace learning.
- Exposure to professional hospitality environments.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Updated CV.
- Certified South African ID not older than three months.
- Latest academic results or Matric certificate.
- Proof of disability, where applicable.
Applicants should check that certified documents meet the stated requirements before submitting their application.
Selection Process
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews.
According to the supplied programme information, shortlisted candidates will also undergo:
Compulsory drug and toxicology testing.
Regular testing will form part of the programme.
How to Apply
Applicants can submit their applications by email or hand delivery.
Email Application
Send the application and supporting documents to either:
or
Applicants should attach all required documents before sending the email.
Hand Delivery
Applications may also be submitted at:
Royal Bafokeng Institute Offices
Phokeng, North West
Applications should be marked for the attention of:
Julia Tsitsi
How to Apply Step-by-Step
- Confirm that you meet the age, citizenship, employment and Grade 12 requirements.
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Obtain a certified copy of your South African ID that is not older than three months.
- Prepare your latest academic results or Matric certificate.
- Add proof of disability if applicable.
- Choose email or hand delivery as your application method.
- For email applications, send your documents to one of the supplied RBI email addresses.
- For hand delivery, submit the application at the Royal Bafokeng Institute offices in Phokeng.
- Address hand-delivered applications to Julia Tsitsi.
- Submit your complete application before 24 August 2026.
- Keep a copy of your application and supporting documents.
Official Application Link
The supplied application process uses email or hand delivery rather than an online application portal.
The Royal Bafokeng Nation’s official website confirms the role of the Royal Bafokeng Institute in its education initiatives and provides official organisational information.
Royal Bafokeng Nation Official Website
Application emails:
Dorothy.langa@bafokeng.com
Thapelo.masimong@bafokeng.com
Expert Guidance
Career expert YouthScope Editorial Team advises applicants to prepare all required documents before applying. Ensure your CV is updated, your qualifications are certified where required, and submit your application well before the closing date to avoid technical issues. Always apply only through the employer’s official recruitment website and keep a copy of your confirmation for your records.
For this opportunity, applicants should pay particular attention to the requirement that the certified ID copy must not be older than three months and should include proof of disability where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply for the RBI Artisan Chef Programme?
Unemployed South African citizens aged 18 to 35 who have Grade 12 with Mathematical Literacy and meet the other stated requirements can apply.
2. Is the Artisan Chef Programme fully funded?
Yes. The supplied information describes the programme as fully funded and paid.
3. How much is the stipend?
The exact payment or stipend amount is not disclosed in the supplied information. Applicants should confirm the amount with RBI if shortlisted.
4. How long is the programme?
The Artisan Chef Programme runs for three years.
5. What qualification will participants receive?
Successful participants will work towards the QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef.
6. Can people with disabilities apply?
Yes. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and should provide proof of disability.
7. Can someone who is already participating in another government-funded programme apply?
No. Applicants must not currently participate in another programme funded by government or another public institution.
8. Where is the programme located?
The programme is located in Phokeng, North West, South Africa.
Disclaimer
Youthscope shares employment, internship, bursary and learnership opportunities from official employers to help South Africans access career opportunities. We are not the recruiting organisation and do not charge any application fees. Always verify information on the employer’s official website before submitting your application.
Opportunity Verification
Published by: YouthScope Editorial Team
Last Updated: 18 August 2026
Information Source: Royal Bafokeng Institute / Royal Bafokeng Nation opportunity information
Status: Reviewed for accuracy
YouthScope shares career information to help South Africans discover opportunities. Applicants should confirm final details with the official organisation before applying.
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The YouthScope Editorial Team publishes verified South African learnerships, internships, bursaries, graduate programmes, and career opportunities. Our team researches opportunities from official employers, government departments, SETAs, universities, and trusted organisations to provide accurate career information for South African youth.