Some success for Home Affairs hiring 10,000 unemployed graduates

Myles Illidge1 April 2024

Some success for Home Affairs hiring 10,000 unemployed graduates

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) initiative to hire 10,000 young graduates has created almost 3,700 jobs for unemployed youths since it kicked off in August 2022, with more than 260 leaving for better opportunities.

This is according to Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who also revealed that the department had digitised nearly 31.5 million images as of 29 February 2024 in response to parliamentary questions from Democratic Alliance MP Adrian Roos.

“The advert for the first 1st 2,000 cohort of unemployed graduates was published in the 2022/23 financial year, leading to the initial employment of 1,405 graduates,” said Motsoaledi.

“This number has been decreasing due to youth finding better opportunities elsewhere. As of 31 January 2024, a total of 1,142 youth were still in the employ of the department.”

According to the DHA’s first job advert, this is precisely what the initiative aimed to achieve.

“During the tenure of the contract, the youth will receive continuous learning and development interventions to improve their skills for optimal performance and to equip them for future employment and /or entrepreneurial opportunities,” it said.

To this end, 260 of the unemployed graduates who successfully applied and worked for the DHA have already left for better opportunities.

Motsoaledi said the advert for the second round of hiring closed in March 2023. Of 439,000 applicants, 2,550 were successful.

“In December 2023, the Department issued 2,550 appointment letters to qualifying applicants,” he stated.

“This brings the total number of young graduates employed for the digitisation project close to 3,700.”

He added that the third and final cohort will be recruited in the 2024/25 financial year.

The initiative aims to employ young graduates, who will help digitise over 350 million civic paper records of birth, marriages, deaths, and amendments, most of which are in Gauteng, the North West, and the Western Cape.

“As of 29 February 2024, the department had digitised 31,419,990 images, which translates to 714,016 records. Records consist of paper records and microfilms,” Motsoaledi said.

Some success for Home Affairs hiring 10,000 unemployed graduates

Myles Illidge1 April 2024

Some success for Home Affairs hiring 10,000 unemployed graduates

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) initiative to hire 10,000 young graduates has created almost 3,700 jobs for unemployed youths since it kicked off in August 2022, with more than 260 leaving for better opportunities.

This is according to Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who also revealed that the department had digitised nearly 31.5 million images as of 29 February 2024 in response to parliamentary questions from Democratic Alliance MP Adrian Roos.

“The advert for the first 1st 2,000 cohort of unemployed graduates was published in the 2022/23 financial year, leading to the initial employment of 1,405 graduates,” said Motsoaledi.

“This number has been decreasing due to youth finding better opportunities elsewhere. As of 31 January 2024, a total of 1,142 youth were still in the employ of the department.”

According to the DHA’s first job advert, this is precisely what the initiative aimed to achieve.

“During the tenure of the contract, the youth will receive continuous learning and development interventions to improve their skills for optimal performance and to equip them for future employment and /or entrepreneurial opportunities,” it said.

To this end, 260 of the unemployed graduates who successfully applied and worked for the DHA have already left for better opportunities.

Motsoaledi said the advert for the second round of hiring closed in March 2023. Of 439,000 applicants, 2,550 were successful.

“In December 2023, the Department issued 2,550 appointment letters to qualifying applicants,” he stated.

“This brings the total number of young graduates employed for the digitisation project close to 3,700.”

He added that the third and final cohort will be recruited in the 2024/25 financial year.

The initiative aims to employ young graduates, who will help digitise over 350 million civic paper records of birth, marriages, deaths, and amendments, most of which are in Gauteng, the North West, and the Western Cape.

“As of 29 February 2024, the department had digitised 31,419,990 images, which translates to 714,016 records. Records consist of paper records and microfilms,” Motsoaledi said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the recruitment drive during his State of the Nation address in February 2022

While the project has recorded some success, it is behind schedule.

Motsoaledi initially said the third phase of the recruitment drive would begin between December 2022 and January 2023, with successful graduates scheduled to start their duties in April 2023.

The listings are aimed at unemployed South African graduates between 18 and 35 and people with disabilities. The positions pay R5,000 to R14,250 per month.

The first round of job adverts included salaries for each position. The available posts were as follows:

    Jogger and Prepper  monthly salary of R5,000

    Re-assembler  monthly salary of R5,000

    Receiving Clerk  monthly salary of R5,000

    Driver  monthly salary of R5,000

    Indexer  monthly salary of R5,000

    Scanner  monthly salary of R5,000

    Quality Controller monthly salary of R6,000

    Group Leader monthly salary of R6,500

    Technical Support  monthly salary of R9,500

    Manager  monthly salary of R14,250

The duration of the fixed-term contracts and their monthly stipends aligned with what the minister revealed in August 2022.

He had also announced that the project will run over three years, from November 2022 until October 2025.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the DHA recruitment drive during his State of the Nation address in February 2022. It forms part of an extension of the Presidential Employment Stimulus programme.

He said the project would improve young graduates’ skillsets while contributing to the modernisation of the DHA’s services.

The Department of Home Affairs says it plans to extend its live-capture system for Smart IDs and Passports to five new front offices in 2024, while also adding more countries to the growing list that can apply for e-Visas.

In the department’s annual performance plan for 2024/25, it noted the success of its push to modernise and boost the efficiency of Home Affairs offices in the country.

Key to this process is the introduction of live capture terminals at offices across the country. Live capture is an automated process of enrolling and capturing applications in front offices securely and more efficiently than manual capture.

The DHA said that it first implemented live capture functionality to apply for passports and smart identity cards in 2013, and the system has since been rolled out to 202 offices, and 30 bank branches across the country.

“The functionality will be rolled out to an additional five front offices in the 2024/25 financial year, improving access to smart ID cards and passports and reducing the issuance of green barcoded ID books,” it said.

The DHA said it issued 2.6 million smart ID cards against a target of 2.2 million in the 2022/23 financial year, bringing the number of smart ID cards issued to more than 21 million since inception in 2013.

“The DHA is on track to achieve the 2023/24 annual target of 2.5 million, with more than 2 million smart cards issued between April and December 2023,” it said.

The five new office planned for 2024 include:

    Masisi (Limpopo)

    Seshego (Limpopo)

    Madikwe (North West)

    Ventersdorp (North West) and

    Lady Frere (Eastern Cape).

The new offices are expected to be rolled out later in the year three in the third quarter and two in the fourth quarter.

The department previously expressed confidence in the rolling out of its satellite offices (which include the live capture system) at banks and shopping malls in South Africa, but it has not yet given an update on the public-private partnership (PPP) between itself and the various banking groups in the country.

The pilot for the project with the banks ended in March 2024, with no follow-up from the department or banking groups.

Despite this, the DHA said it would continue to build on its current PPP models to enhance its services, especially in the hopes of cutting down queue times. A particular focus is moving into shopping malls.

“The DHA has engaged with various shopping malls that meet its accessibility and office model requirements. A DHA office was opened in Menlyn Mall in March 2023. Lessons learnt will be applied in the further rollout to other malls,” it said.

Target malls include Cresta Mall (to ease congestion at Randburg) and Pavilion Mall (to ease congestion at uMngeni and Pinetown).

Rollout to these malls is subject to signing memoranda of understanding. Negotiations are currently underway, the department said.

E-Visa expansion

Another system being constantly updated to combat long wait times is the department’s e-Visa regime, which allows countries that are not visa exempt to facilitate visa applications digitally.

The e-Visa system has so far rolled out to 34 countries that are not visa exempted. These countries are regarded as the main tourism producers, the department said.

Over the next two years, the departments wants to roll the system out to another 15 countries  five in 2024 and ten in 2025 as well as expand the types of visas that qualify.

The e-Visa system will be expanded to include study, business and intra-company transfer visas, the department said.

The system was piloted in three countries up to the end of March 2024 (Japan, Germany, France), and five countries will be added in 2024/25, including:

    Spain

    Italy

    United Kingdom

    Kenya and

    Uganda

The department did not specify the ten countries to be added in 2025.

Through the e-Visa system, applicants are able to apply for the visa from the comfort of their homes and upload all supporting documents.

The application will be received at the e-Visa hub in South Africa where an adjudicator will adjudicate the application and request for verification of supporting documents from the relevant company or via a mission.

The applicant will be referred to the mission to submit biometrics and interview.

On receipt of all verifications, the adjudicator will take a decision. The e-Visa outcome is sent to the applicant via e-mail, which they will print and, if approved, use this to proceed to a port of entry

A couple from the Democratic Republic of Congo are no longer listed as “prohibited persons” after they were victorious in their bid at the Western Cape High Court.

A couple from the Democratic Republic of Congo are no longer listed as “prohibited persons” after they were victorious in their bid at the Western Cape High Court.

The couple were accused of having obtained visas fraudulently after applying for temporary asylum seeker and work permits in 2016.

That year in April, the wife had applied for the permit which authorised her to work in South Africa. She then obtained employment and thereafter obtained a work visa through an agent recommended by work colleagues.

According to court documents, her employer at the time questioned the legitimacy of the permit as the date of issue reflected 2015 but after a verification process, the Department of Home Affairs “reported that the work visa was not issued by it and was a fraudulent document”.

With regard to the husband, he had been studying in Cape Town in 2013 when he applied for a permanent resident permit through a friend for which he had paid R13 000.

According to court documents, at no stage was the husband aware that there was anything irregular about the application. Once he obtained the permit, he travelled internationally many times without difficulty and also presented the permit without difficulty to the department when registering the birth of his daughter.

In both cases, neither of the two were afforded a hearing, notice or reasons prior to their prohibition.

This comes despite the fact that the wife was also instrumental in having an agent arrested for issuing her a fraudulent visa.

Court papers read: “On 3 November 2018, she left South Africa for the DRC where she met Mr Mosenga who assisted her in obtaining a new visa which she refers to as the 2018 visa. When she went to the airport in Lubumbashi, the officials there told her that this visa too was fake. She then filed criminal charges against Mr Mosenga. At the request of the police in Lubumbashi, she asked Mr Mosenga to meet her near the Consulate and when he did, he was arrested in her presence.”

In 2021 the husband applied to the director-general of the department to overturn his prohibition but his efforts were stubbed when his application was rejected in September 2021.

In his reasons rejecting the application, according to court records, the DG had said: “There is no evidence in your representation to prove that you were a victim of fraud. The fact that you travelled in and out of the country with your permanent residence permit uninterrupted does not exempt you from the provisions of section 48 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.”

Judge Yasmin Meer said: “I agree with the applicants that by not receiving notice or not being afforded an opportunity to make representations, the process by which the applicants were declared prohibited persons was unfair and unlawful, being contrary to PAJA.”

• a law that offers citizenship to immigrants from selected countries, as long as they are not Muslim.

• Some Indian Muslims fear the law is a precursor to denying them citizenship.

• India says Muslim immigrants don`t need protection.

India`s interior ministry said Monday it was enacting a citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims, just weeks before the world`s most populous country heads into a general election.

While the law was passed in December 2019, its implementation was delayed after widespread protests and deadly violence erupted in which more than 100 people were reported to have been killed.

The law grants Indian nationality to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who entered India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh before December 2014 -- but not if they are Muslim.

On Monday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the rules would now come into force.

`These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024, will enable the persons eligible... to apply for grant of Indian citizenship`, the ministry said in a statement.

Many among India`s 200 million Muslims fear the law is a precursor to a national register of citizens that could leave them stateless in the country of 1.4 billion.

Many poor Indians do not have documents to prove their nationality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi denies this, saying that Muslims are not covered by the legislation because they do not need India`s protection.

The National Register of Citizens, a list of all legal citizens, has so far only been implemented in the state of Assam.

Besides stoking concern among Muslims, the proposed changes also sparked protests by residents unhappy about an influx of Hindus from Bangladesh.

The immigration rules do not include migrants from non-Muslim countries fleeing persecution to India, including Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka and Tibetan Buddhists fleeing China`s rule.

It also does not address Rohingya Muslim refugees from neighbouring Myanmar.

Modi`s Bharatiya Janata Party promised the law`s implementation in its 2019 election manifesto. 

India is expected to soon announce dates for the general election, likely to be held in April-May, with Modi widely favoured to win a third term in office.

Rights groups have previously condemned the law.

Human Rights Watch calls it `discriminatory` and that, for the first time in India, `religion is a basis for granting citizenship`.

Planning to study abroad but uncertain about the steps to take? Then ensure you answer these questions to gain clarity on the demands of your journey before you begin. In recent times, there has been a surge in the number of people who desire to go abroad first to study, and then to relocate. However, making impulsive decisions without being properly informed can be catastrophic as many have encountered different difficulties. Hence, the importance of properly planning before you begin your study abroad journey. We’ve outlined and explained a list of important questions you shouldn’t ignore before planning your study abroad journey in this article. 

Vital Questions to ask before starting your study abroad journey.

Proper planning is necessary before you begin anything at all. The same principle also applies to studying abroad. To make the process smooth and easy for you, it is pertinent that you familiarize yourself with the things to expect and make adequate preparations to avoid being frustrated. We have curated a list of questions that can help make your study abroad journey easier: 

1. What are my career and academic goals?

As an undergraduate or postgraduate student, before selecting a course, be sure to first clarify your academic and career goals. Some postgraduate students pursue their master’s degree abroad to work in that country and then settle there permanently. On the other hand, others study abroad to get the skills and then come back to their home country to implement what has been learned. As a student, it is important that you identify the course you wish to study and that your previous academic records are also valid in the pursuit of that course. It will be difficult for an arts major to pursue a course in data analytics or robotics because they do not have any prior knowledge, and this will affect their learning process. Some questions you can answer to help with with this step include:

• What is my area of interest? 

• What area do I excel most academically?

• What career path do I want to specialize in

• Where do I see myself 10 years from now concerning my career choice?

• With regards to finance, what are the highest-paid jobs currently?

• Do I have an interest in any of the jobs/skills?

• What is my motivation for choosing this course? 

2. What school/course am I picking? 

Once you have clarified your career goal, another vital question you need to ask yourself before you begin your study abroad journey is to select the right course and the right school. Selecting your most preferred course will in turn influence the school you are going to pick. Universities offer a wide range of courses, however, some courses are best studied in certain universities, while some universities do not offer certain courses. Hence the reason you ought to be intentional in your selection of your preferred course and school. At this point, you can employ the help of a study abroad counselor to take you through the process. They will work with you in finding the best option that suits you. 

3. What is my financial plan?

Additionally, there is no education without finance. If it is free, it means that someone else is paying for it. Due to the current economic situation in the world today, the cost of education has further increased and improper financial planning will affect the outcome of your goals. This is the reason why having a solid financial plan is necessary before you begin your study abroad journey. Many things will require payment like:

• Application fees

• Tuition fees

• Other mandatory school fees

• Visa fee

• Accommodation fee

• Flight ticket 

• Transportation

• Feeding

• Book fees etc. 

It’s not just enough to have some money, you need to have enough money to settle all the bills. Some of the financing options available to students who want to study abroad include; 

• Personal savings

• Student loans

• Scholarships

• Grants

• Sponsorship from family members

Draw up an estimated budget of the cost, and then source for adequate funding to help you with the process. 

4. Do I have all the required documents? 

Furthermore, an integral aspect that can slow down your study abroad journey is the availability of all the required documents. Generally, when applying for admission into schools abroad, there are requirements students have to meet. In addition to these requirements, some documents must be submitted and verified before your application will be processed. Failure to provide these documents will hinder the application process. This is why it is important to be prepared before starting the application process. The documents that will be requested fp0r varies from school to school but some of the generally acceptable documents that you should have before starting include: 

• University certificates

• Academic transcripts

• International passport

• Personal statement/Statement of purpose

• Resume/CV

• Medium of Instruction (optional)

• Letter of recommendation 

5. What are the other additional requirements? 

Apart from the generally acceptable requirements listed above, some schools and the criteria of some courses will demand additional requirements from the students. To be considered for admission, students will have to provide these documents or take these tests. Sometimes, they can be waived, but this is dependent on the selected school’s requirements. These additional requirements include:

• Language tests (IELTS, TOEFL Duolingo)

• Standardized tests (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)

NOTE: For master’s students, some courses require that students have done a similar introductory course during their bachelor’s degree. If these specific courses are not outlined in the student’s transcript then the student will be unable to go ahead with the application. 

6. What does the visa application process entail? 

You certainly cannot travel to another country without a valid visa right? If you’re detected, there’s immediate punishment that comes with it. In addition to all the requirements you need to submit to your school, you also need to process your visa as it is your pass to the new country. The visa application process and requirements are dependent on the specific country you want to travel to. Generally, you can visit the country’s official immigration website to start the process or visit the nearest embassy around you to begin. 

7. What are my plans for accommodation?

It’s quite easy to focus on your admission aspect and you don’t pay enough attention to accommodation. It’s therefore important that you also make plans for your accommodation during the period you will spend studying. Generally, schools have dormitories/hostels. However, students can also rent spaces off campus. If you have relatives or friends you can put up with, it makes the whole process easy. If you’re going to be getting a personal space, it means that you will consider the cost of furnishing the place in addition to the rent you are going to pay. Whatever route you take, make sure that your accommodation is settled before you leave your home country. 

8. What safety and security measures should I take into consideration?

Every country has its unique rules and regulations. Every country also has its culture. Before traveling to a new country for education purposes, it is important to read about the country and familiarize yourself with its peculiarities. This can save you a whole lot. Also, ensure to observe all the generally acceptable security rules, like not staying out late, not getting drunk in open places, and dressing moderately without attracting unusual attention amongst others. Networking with like-minded friends who have lived in the country for a while can prove useful as they will outline the things you need to take note of. 

9. What are my adaptability and networking strategies? 

Additionally, you cannot afford to be a lone ranger in a foreign country, especially when you’re there for education. You’ll need to network and make like-minded friends. They will help make the journey easy and more fun. Once you’ve chosen your preferred course and school, it’s time to be on the lookout for friends. You can join student groups of your school online, you can reach out to immediate friends from your country who have also traveled too. Attending orientation programs and other endorsed social programs on campus is also a good way to network. Additionally, joining a curricular activity or volunteering for a course will expose you to interaction with people. However, you must ensure that your friends are trustworthy and they are also working towards the goal you have in mind. 

10. What is my plan after graduation? 

Finally, starting your study abroad journey is not enough, the goals you outlined at the beginning to influence your plans after graduation. Do you plan on staying in the country? If so, then you will have to start looking for employment opportunities. A student visa cannot qualify you to be a worker in foreign countries are there are restrictions to the number of hours you can work in a foreign country. If you desire to pursue a higher qualification, then you should start processing it before your visa expires. Consequently, if you desire to return to your home country to implement the skills you have learned, then you have to start making plans for your return journey. Outlining your goals at the beginning of your study abroad journey will make creating a continuity plan for your life easy. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, as emphasized earlier, it’s not enough to just desire to study abroad. Choosing to study abroad is not an impulsive decision that you can take, hence the importance of proper preparation.  We hope these questions guide you to make the most effective decisions that’ll be helpful to you.

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