The National Youth Service (NYS) Programme Phase V is creating 100 000 paid community service opportunities for unemployed South African youth across all nine provinces. If you are between 18 and 35 and currently unemployed, you can earn R24.18 per hour – roughly R1 547 per month – while gaining real workplace experience in your own community. Applications are open now on the SA Youth platform, with placements filling continuously and the current intake window closing 30 August 2026.
About the Programme
The National Youth Service is one of government’s flagship youth development initiatives, driven through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and the SA Youth network. Phase V is the largest intake yet, targeting 100 000 participants nationwide. The programme places young people in community-based service roles – at clinics, schools, early childhood development centres, youth centres, NPOs and community organisations – where they contribute to their communities while building workplace skills.
For a generation locked out of the job market by the experience trap, NYS matters because it asks for nothing except willingness to serve. There are no qualification barriers for most roles, no application fees, and opportunities exist in every province, including rural areas often ignored by corporate programmes.
What You Will Gain
- Paid community service at R24.18 per hour, approximately R1 547 per month
- Verifiable work experience for your CV
- Workplace skills: timekeeping, teamwork, communication and basic administration
- A reference from a real employer or community organisation
- A foothold that can lead to learnerships, internships and permanent work
Who Can Apply
- South African citizens aged 18 to 35
- Currently unemployed and not studying full time
- Registered (or willing to register) on the SA Youth platform – registration is free
- Living in South Africa – opportunities exist in all nine provinces
- Young people living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply
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Required Documents
- South African ID (or ID number to register on SA Youth)
- Updated CV
- Proof of residence may be requested by some host organisations
- Certified copies of any qualifications you hold (helpful but not always required)
How to Apply
- Register a free profile on the SA Youth platform at sayouth.mobi – the site is data-free on most SA networks.
- Complete your profile fully, including your location, education and contact details.
- Search for National Youth Service and NYS Phase V opportunities near you.
- Apply for the roles that match your interests, such as educator assistant, office administrator assistant, general worker or desktop support assistant.
- Keep your phone on and check SMS and email regularly – host organisations contact shortlisted candidates directly.
Apply at SA Youth (sayouth.mobi)
Closing Date
The current application window for National Youth Service Phase V closes on 30 August 2026. Individual placements fill continuously, so apply as soon as possible. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
South Africa has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, and the hardest part of finding work is getting that first opportunity. NYS Phase V removes the biggest barriers: it does not demand experience, a degree, or connections. A hundred thousand posts means real scale – this is not a lottery-ticket programme.
The stipend is modest, but the value lies in what comes after: participants leave with months of verifiable service, a professional reference and an active SA Youth profile that connects them to further learnerships and jobs. For many young people in townships and rural communities, NYS is the most accessible first rung on the employment ladder available right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Matric to apply?
Many NYS roles do not require Matric, though some host organisations may prefer it for administrative positions. Check each opportunity’s requirements on SA Youth.
How much will I earn?
Participants earn R24.18 per hour, which works out to approximately R1 547 per month depending on hours worked.
Is the programme available in my province?
Yes. Phase V covers all nine provinces, with placements at community organisations, clinics, schools and youth centres nationwide.
Can NYS lead to a permanent job?
Placement is not a permanent job and employment afterwards is not guaranteed, but the experience, reference and SA Youth profile significantly improve your chances of moving into learnerships, internships or formal employment.
