The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is inviting unemployed young South Africans to apply for the 2026/2027 Cadet Learnership Programme. This is a 12-month learnership programme available across all 9 provinces of South Africa, giving eligible youth an opportunity to gain theoretical training, practical workplace experience and valuable skills.
The programme is offered in collaboration with the Public Service Education and Training Authority (PSETA) and is aimed at unemployed youth who have obtained Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.
Successful learners will receive a stipend of R4,500 per month for the duration of the 12-month contract.
The opportunities are available in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, North West, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Details
- Department: Department of Home Affairs
- Programme: Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027
- Duration: 12 months
- Contract: 12-month contract
- Stipend: R4,500 per month
- Minimum Qualification: Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate
- Closing Date: 18 September 2026 at 16:00
- Provinces: All 9 provinces
The Cadet Learnership Programme is a youth development and empowerment initiative designed to help unemployed young people gain skills, knowledge and workplace experience while preparing for meaningful participation in the labour market.
The programme includes both theoretical training and practical workplace learning and will expose learners to the core business of the Department of Home Affairs, particularly Immigration Services.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are invited from unemployed youth who have obtained a National Senior Certificate (Matric) or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
Preference will be given to youth who reside within close proximity to the office where the post is based.
Applicants should carefully check the eligibility conditions before applying. Candidates who have previously participated in certain Public Service Youth Development Programmes may not be eligible.
Applicants who are currently receiving any form of financial assistance from government for a youth development programme will also not be eligible for consideration.
Available Cadet Learnerships Across All 9 Provinces
The Department of Home Affairs has advertised Cadet Learnership opportunities across all nine provinces, giving unemployed youth from different parts of South Africa an opportunity to apply.
Gauteng – 5 Posts
- Krugersdorp – 1 post
- Benoni – 2 posts
- Cresta – 1 post
- Sedibeng – 1 post
- Mamelodi – 2 posts
Reference: HRMC 58/26/1
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentgp@dha.gov.za
Eastern Cape – 6 Posts
- King Williams Town – 1 post
- Gqeberha – 1 post
- Libode – 1 post
- Queenstown – 1 post
- East London – 1 post
- Port St John – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/2
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentec@dha.gov.za
North West – 5 Posts
- Klerksdorp – 4 posts
- Mankwe – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/3
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentnw@dha.gov.za
Northern Cape – 4 Posts
- Kimberley – 2 posts
- Galeshewe – 2 posts
Reference: HRMC 58/26/4
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentnc@dha.gov.za
Mpumalanga – 6 Posts
- Witbank – 1 post
- Kwa-Mhlanga – 1 post
- Eerstehoek – 1 post
- Standerton – 1 post
- Nelspruit / Mbombela – 1 post
- White River – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/5
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentmp@dha.gov.za
Free State – 5 Posts
- Bloemfontein – 2 posts
- Phuthaditjhaba – 1 post
- Additional Free State centre – 1 post
- Bethlehem – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/6
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentfs@dha.gov.za
Western Cape – 6 Posts
- Wynberg – 3 posts
- Khayelitsha – 1 post
- Vredendal – 1 post
- George – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/7
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentwc@dha.gov.za
KwaZulu-Natal – 6 Posts
- Ixopo – 1 post
- New Hanover – 1 post
- Eshowe – 1 post
- Estcourt – 1 post
- Umgeni – 1 post
- Richards Bay – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/8
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentkzn@dha.gov.za
Limpopo – 5 Posts
- Polokwane – 1 post
- Giyani – 1 post
- Jane Furse – 1 post
- Thohoyandou – 1 post
- Mokopane – 1 post
Reference: HRMC 58/26/9
Application Email: Cadetrecruitmentlp@dha.gov.za
What Does the Learnership Offer?
The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership is designed to combine theoretical learning with practical workplace experience.
Learners will receive exposure to the Department’s core business, including Immigration Services. The programme is intended to help participants develop knowledge and workplace skills while gaining experience in a government environment.
Successful candidates will receive a R4,500 monthly stipend throughout the 12-month contract period.
The opportunity can be particularly valuable for unemployed youth who are looking to strengthen their CVs, gain workplace exposure and develop skills that may assist them in pursuing future employment.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit a fully completed New Z83 Application for Employment Form, effective from 1 January 2021, together with a comprehensive CV.
The CV must include:
- Employment start and end dates
- Job titles
- Duties performed
- Reasons for leaving employment
- Details of at least two contactable employment references
Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide copies of their ID document and Grade 12 certificate.
Applicants who have foreign qualifications must submit the relevant SAQA evaluation.
Successful candidates will also be subjected to pre-employment screening and security checks.
Important Application Information
Applications must be submitted to the correct provincial email address listed in this post or to the postal or physical address specified by the Department.
Applicants must clearly indicate the correct post number and job title and ensure that their Z83 form and CV are complete.
The Department states that due to the expected high number of applications, applications will not be acknowledged in writing.
Only a certain number of candidates will be selected through the Department’s recruitment and selection process.
The Department of Home Affairs also reserves the right to place or reject applications based on its service delivery needs and requirements.
Final Thoughts
The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027 is a major opportunity for unemployed youth, with positions available in all 9 provinces of South Africa.
Eligible candidates with Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification can apply for this 12-month programme and receive a R4,500 monthly stipend while gaining theoretical and practical workplace experience.
If you are unemployed and meet the requirements, make sure you select the appropriate province and centre, use the correct reference number and submit your application correctly.
Do not wait until the last day to apply. Make sure your application reaches the Department before the deadline.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the provincial email address corresponding to the province where you are applying:
Gauteng Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentgp@dha.gov.za
Eastern Cape Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentec@dha.gov.za
North West Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentnw@dha.gov.za
Northern Cape Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentnc@dha.gov.za
Mpumalanga Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentmp@dha.gov.za
Free State Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentfs@dha.gov.za
Western Cape Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentwc@dha.gov.za
KwaZulu-Natal Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentkzn@dha.gov.za
Limpopo Province email CV to: Cadetrecruitmentlp@dha.gov.za
Applications may also be sent to:
Private Bag X114
Pretoria
0001
or delivered to:
230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street
Pretoria
0001
Applicants must complete the New Z83 form and attach a comprehensive CV containing the required employment and reference information.
VIEW THE JOB ADVERT HEREDOWNLOAD THE Z83 FORM HERE
Closing Date: 18 September 2026 at 16:00.
Late applications will not be considered.