The National Youth Service is opening 100 000 paid community‑service placements across all nine provinces, and the deadline is fast approaching.
What is the opportunity?
Phase V of the National Youth Service Programme 2026 offers paid community‑service work for unemployed South African youth. You will be placed in a local organisation – such as a school, clinic, or youth centre – and earn a wage while gaining real work experience.
- Number of placements: 100 000
- Pay: R24.18 per hour (about R1 547 per month, depending on hours worked)
- Location: All nine provinces
- Application platform: SA Youth (free)
- Closing date: 30 August 2026
Who can apply?
- South African citizen
- Aged 18 – 35 years
- Currently unemployed
- Not studying full‑time
- Living in South Africa
- Registered (or willing to register) on the SA Youth platform
Young people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
What you will gain
- Paid work experience in a community setting
- Verifiable references from host organisations
- Teamwork, communication and time‑management skills
- Basic administrative or support experience
- Experience that can help you secure future jobs, learnerships or internships
How to apply (step‑by‑step)
- Go to the SA Youth website: https://sayouth.mobi/
- Create a free profile and fill in all personal details
- Add accurate education, contact information and your residential address
- Search for “National Youth Service” or “NYS Phase V”
- Review the listings that appear for your province
- Read each placement’s specific requirements and required documents
- Submit your application for the roles that suit you
- Keep the phone number and email you entered active for SMS or email messages from host organisations
Tips to improve your chances
- Complete every field in your SA Youth profile – missing details may cause your application to be ignored
- Upload an up‑to‑date CV that highlights any volunteer work or informal experience
- Have a clear copy of your ID number ready; you may be asked to upload a scanned ID
- If a placement asks for proof of residence, have a utility bill or municipal lease on hand
- Apply early – some positions fill before the 30 August deadline
- Read the specific qualification or skill requirements for each role; tailor your CV accordingly
Next steps
Make sure you meet the basic criteria, gather the required documents, and submit your application before 30 August 2026. Even if you do not receive an immediate placement, the experience of applying will strengthen future job or learnership attempts. Good luck – your community and your career can both benefit from this program.
