Department of Home Affairs Opens 2026/2027 Cadet Learnerships for Grade 12 Applicants
South African youth with Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification have an opportunity to apply for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Cadet Learnership Programme for 2026/2027.
The programme is aimed at unemployed South African youth and provides a structured 12-month learning and workplace-experience opportunity within the Department of Home Affairs.
The latest advertisement indicates that opportunities are available across multiple provinces and Home Affairs offices, giving eligible applicants in different parts of South Africa an opportunity to apply for a placement close to their area.
Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 16:00.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to unemployed Grade 12 school leavers who are looking for their first exposure to the public-service working environment.
Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Home Affairs |
| Programme | Cadet Learnership Programme |
| Intake | 2026/2027 |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Target group | Unemployed South African youth |
| Minimum qualification | Grade 12 / Matric or equivalent NQF Level 4 |
| Stipend | Monthly stipend |
| Application form | Z83 |
| CV | Updated CV required |
| Provinces | Multiple provinces |
| Closing date | 18 September 2026 |
| Closing time | 16:00 |
The available advertisement states that successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend during the 12-month learnership. However, the amount should be confirmed against the official advertisement rather than relying on figures circulated by third-party websites.
Who Can Apply for the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership?
The minimum academic requirement is:
Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
The programme is specifically aimed at unemployed South African youth.
Useful Links:
Applicants should carefully read the complete official advertisement because meeting the minimum qualification does not automatically guarantee selection.
The Department may use additional screening and selection criteria when assessing applications.
Where Are the Opportunities Available?
The 2026/2027 intake includes opportunities across several provinces.
The listed locations include Home Affairs offices and centres in:
- Gauteng
- Eastern Cape
- North West
- Northern Cape
- Mpumalanga
- Free State
- Western Cape
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Limpopo
For applicants in Limpopo, listed locations include Polokwane, Giyani, Jane Furse, Thohoyandou and Mokopane.
The inclusion of locations across different provinces makes this a broader national opportunity rather than a programme restricted to one city.
Limpopo Cadet Learnership Opportunities
Young people in Limpopo can find the following listed locations and reference numbers:
| Location | Reference |
|---|---|
| Polokwane | HRMC 58/26/9a |
| Giyani | HRMC 58/26/9b |
| Jane Furse | HRMC 58/26/9c |
| Thohoyandou | HRMC 58/26/9d |
| Mokopane | HRMC 58/26/9e |
Applicants should use the correct reference number for the location they are applying for.
The Limpopo application email listed for the programme is:
Gauteng Opportunities
The listed Gauteng locations include:
- Krugersdorp — HRMC 58/26/1a
- Benoni — HRMC 58/26/1b
- Cresta — HRMC 58/26/1c
- Sedibeng — HRMC 58/26/1d
- Mamelodi — HRMC 58/26/1e
The provincial application email is:
Eastern Cape Opportunities
The listed Eastern Cape locations include:
- King Williams Town
- Gqeberha
- Libode
- Queenstown
- East London
- Port St John
The relevant reference numbers run from HRMC 58/26/2a to HRMC 58/26/2f.
Applications for Eastern Cape are listed under:
Other Provincial Opportunities
The advertisement also lists opportunities in:
North West
- Klerksdorp
- Mankwe
Northern Cape
- Kimberley
Mpumalanga
- Witbank
- Kwa-Mhlanga
- Eerstehoek
- Standerton
- Nelspruit/Mbombela
- White River
Free State
- Bloemfontein
- Phuthaditjhaba
- Bethlehem
- Additional listed centre under reference HRMC 58/26/6c
Western Cape
- Wynberg
- Khayelitsha
- Vredendal
- George
KwaZulu-Natal
- Ixopo
- New Hanover
- Eshowe
- Estcourt
- Umgeni
- Richards Bay
Applicants should consult the complete advertisement for the exact reference number and application instructions for their preferred centre.
What Does the Cadet Learnership Offer?
The programme is structured over 12 months and combines training with workplace exposure.
For young people who have completed Grade 12 but have limited employment experience, this type of programme can provide an opportunity to develop practical workplace skills.
Participants may gain exposure to the working environment of the public service while developing skills relevant to administration and service delivery.
However, applicants should understand an important distinction:
A learnership is not automatically a permanent government job.
Successful completion does not guarantee permanent employment with the Department of Home Affairs.
Is There a Stipend?
Yes, the available programme information states that successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the learnership.
Some third-party reports are currently publishing a figure of R4,500 per month, but because stipend information should be taken from the official advertisement, applicants should verify the amount and applicable conditions before relying on that figure.
This is an important distinction for responsible job reporting.
A stipend should also not be described as a permanent salary or guaranteed future income.
Documents Required to Apply
Applicants are required to submit:
- Completed Z83 application form
- Updated CV
The available application information indicates that certified copies of identity documents, qualifications and academic records are required from shortlisted candidates, rather than necessarily being required at the initial application stage.
Applicants should follow the exact instructions in the official advertisement.
How to Apply for the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership
Applications can be submitted through the specified provincial email addresses, by post or by hand delivery, according to the application instructions.
Postal address
Private Bag X114
Pretoria
0001
Hand-delivery address
230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street
Pretoria
0001
For email applications, applicants should use the email address corresponding to the province and the correct reference number for the position they are applying for.
Application Deadline
The closing date is:
18 September 2026 at 16:00
Applicants should not wait until the final day.
If you are applying by email, submit your application early and keep a copy of the sent email and attachments.
If you are using postal or hand delivery, allow enough time for the application to reach the Department before the closing deadline.
The latest available reporting identifies 18 September 2026 as the closing date.
How to Improve Your Application
Meeting the Grade 12 requirement is only the first step.
1. Prepare a professional CV
Your CV should clearly show:
- Full name
- Contact details
- Grade 12 qualification
- Relevant skills
- Any work experience
- Volunteer experience
- Certificates
- Additional training
Do not add qualifications or experience you do not have.
2. Complete the Z83 correctly
Check every section before submitting the form.
Avoid leaving required fields blank.
3. Use the correct reference number
The reference number helps identify the specific centre or opportunity you are applying for.
4. Apply to the appropriate province
Use the email address and instructions provided for the province in which the relevant opportunity is advertised.
5. Check your attachments
Make sure the CV is attached before sending the email.
Why This Opportunity Matters for Grade 12 School Leavers
For many young South Africans, the biggest barrier to entering the labour market is not necessarily a lack of willingness to work but a lack of workplace experience.
A structured government learnership can provide exposure to workplace processes while allowing participants to develop practical skills.
This can be particularly useful for someone who has completed Grade 12 and is still deciding whether to pursue further education, vocational training or employment.
The broader public-service environment also exposes young people to the importance of administration, professionalism, confidentiality and service delivery.
Important: A Learnership Is Not a Guaranteed Job
Applicants should be realistic about what the programme offers.
The Home Affairs Cadet Learnership provides a structured 12-month learning and workplace experience opportunity.
It does not mean every participant will automatically receive a permanent position at Home Affairs after completing the programme.
Permanent recruitment is subject to vacancies, organisational requirements and the applicable public-service recruitment process.
This distinction is important because websites and social-media pages sometimes describe learnerships as if they are guaranteed government jobs.
They are not.
Beware of Fake Home Affairs Recruitment Messages
Jobseekers should be particularly careful with advertisements shared through WhatsApp, Facebook and other social-media platforms.
A scammer can copy a genuine government advertisement and change the contact details.
Applicants should never:
- Pay someone to guarantee selection
- Give a stranger their banking PIN
- Share an OTP
- Provide online-banking passwords
- Pay a “registration fee” for guaranteed employment
- Assume a WhatsApp message is official simply because it contains a government logo
Use official government sources and verify application instructions before sending sensitive documents.
The Department of Home Affairs is currently undergoing significant recruitment and capacity-building initiatives, including the recruitment of additional Immigration Officers announced in July 2026. That separate recruitment drive should not be confused with the Cadet Learnership Programme.
What Happens After You Apply?
Applicants should not assume that submitting a CV means they have been selected.
The Department may screen applications before shortlisting candidates.
Shortlisted applicants may subsequently be asked to provide additional documentation, such as:
- Certified ID
- Qualifications
- Academic records
- Other supporting documents
The application information specifically states that these certified documents are required from shortlisted candidates.
Applicants should therefore keep their original documents safe and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply with Grade 12?
Yes. The advertised minimum qualification is Grade 12/National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
Is the programme open to unemployed youth?
Yes. The programme is aimed at unemployed South African youth.
How long is the learnership?
The Cadet Learnership Programme runs for 12 months.
Is there a stipend?
The programme information states that successful candidates receive a monthly stipend. The exact amount should be confirmed against the official advertisement.
When does the application close?
Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 16:00.
Do I need a Z83 form?
Yes. The application information specifies a completed Z83 application form together with an updated CV.
Do I need certified documents when applying?
The available instructions state that shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of their ID, qualifications and recent academic records.
Is this a permanent Home Affairs job?
No. It is a 12-month learnership and workplace-learning opportunity. Completion does not guarantee permanent employment.
Final Word
The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027 presents an important opportunity for unemployed South African youth who have completed Grade 12 or hold an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
With opportunities listed across multiple provinces and a 12-month programme structure, the initiative can give successful candidates an opportunity to gain workplace exposure and develop practical skills.
The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 16:00, so eligible applicants should prepare their Z83 form and updated CV and follow the correct provincial application instructions.
Most importantly, applicants should verify the advertisement, use the correct reference number and avoid anyone demanding payment in exchange for guaranteed selection.
A learnership can be a valuable starting point, but it should be viewed as a pathway for skills development and workplace experience, not as a guaranteed permanent government position.
Sources and References
- Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA): 2026 vacancy circulars and official public-service recruitment information.
- South African Government: Department of Home Affairs recruitment and policy information.
- Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership 2026/2027: Current programme details, requirements, provincial locations and application instructions.
- DPSA Circular 32 reporting: Closing time and programme information.
- South African Government: Basic Conditions of Employment Act — Sectoral Determination 5: Learnerships.
Publishing Transparency
Editorial note: This article was prepared using currently available 2026 information and cross-checked against government sources where possible. Requirements, application procedures, closing dates and programme details can change.
Edupage.co.za does not guarantee that an applicant will be shortlisted, selected, receive a stipend or obtain permanent employment after completing the programme.
Applicants should verify the latest information through official government channels before submitting personal information. Never pay an individual who claims they can guarantee a Home Affairs learnership or government job.
