Applications for employment as verification officers are now open, the Northern Cape department of agriculture, land reform and rural development confirms.
Youth in the Northern Cape will have until Tuesday, 22 December 2020 to apply for employment as verification officers.
The opportunity forms part of the presidential employment stimulus programme announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa in October this year, says Mase Manopole, the Northern Cape MEC for agriculture, land reform and rural development.
The youth employment initiative will support the creation of almost 6 000 temporary jobs.
Manopole’s urgent call for youth to seize the opportunity follows after minister Thoko Didiza’s recent announcement of a R1 billion- support scheme set to benefit 75 000 small-scale farmers whose production was disrupted by the covid-19 pandemic.
In his economic recovery plan tabled in October, Ramaphosa announced the employment stimulus in a bid to create jobs and support the livelihoods of many displaced citizens.
The implementation of the presidential employment stimulus is aimed at sustaining and increasing employment in the agricultural sector by supporting around 75 000 subsistence farmers in the whole country with farming input vouchers.
Successful applicants will be employed as verification officers and will assist in the implementation of the presidential employment stimulus programme.
Manopole further clarifies, “The principle of first come first serve will apply per province. The recruitment process will be centralised at national office; however, provinces will benefit in the initiative.”
So, where can you apply?
The application process will be done through and automated fashion which posits cell phones as the simplest and affordable means of accessibility for interested applications countrywide.
Applications will be done via a USSD code which is*134*4536# and will be free. Application forms will also be available and accessible in all 11 official languages once you enter the USSD code.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- be 18 years or older;
- be in possession of a South African ID;
- not be employed by government;
- currently actively involved in agricultural production; and
- have not received support from the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development in the current financial year.
Applicants should note that only one application per household will be accepted. Applications will close on 22 December. Successful candidates will receive notices regarding application in January 2021.
