Hundreds of young South Africans enrolled in Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) learnership programs in the North West Province say they have gone months without receiving their stipends, leaving them in financial distress and unable to continue their training effectively.
Stipends Withheld Despite SETA Funding
South Africa’s 21 SETAs are responsible for administering learnerships and internships, funded through skills development levies, to combat unemployment and bridge the skills gap. These programs typically provide participants with a monthly stipend to cover basic expenses. However, beneficiaries in the North West claim they have been left without payment for up to six months, with little explanation from authorities.
Polena Toons, 32, is one of 300 learners in a wastewater and reticulation program who says she has not been paid since starting the course. “They didn’t tell us anything—just to wait for them to call us,” she said. “They told us we only get paid when ‘the bum is on the seat,’ but it’s not our fault we can’t attend. Now we have no income, and we have responsibilities.”
Training Disruptions Due to Municipal Delays
The local municipality attributed the delays to refurbishments at water treatment plants, which halted practical training. A municipal representative stated that learners were placed on hold because stipends are tied to attendance. “Learners are paid based on attendance, and since the water plants were under renovation, training stopped,” the official said. The municipality claims learners will be recalled in August when facilities reopen.
However, beneficiaries argue that the lack of communication and financial support has left them stranded. Many say they cannot afford transport to training sites, further disrupting their participation.
Construction Learnerships Also Affected
Similar issues plague other SETA programs, including a bricklaying learnership under the provincial Department of Public Works. One participant, who started in June, said stipends are not paid on time, making attendance difficult. “When they don’t pay us, we struggle with transport money to get to the training facilities,” he said.
Public Works acknowledged delays, citing administrative bottlenecks, cash flow problems, and compliance issues. Meanwhile, the Department of Higher Education insists it monitors SETA performance through the National Skills Authority. Spokesperson Nomsa Gumbi urged affected learners to report non-payment to the department.
Calls for Accountability
Critics argue that municipalities and SETAs should not enroll learners if workplace placements are unavailable. “The municipality knew their facilities were under renovation but still took in learners,” Gumbi noted, highlighting systemic inefficiencies.
With no clear resolution in sight, beneficiaries like Toons remain in limbo—eager to gain skills but unable to sustain themselves without their promised stipends.
For affected learners, the promise of skills development now feels like another broken commitment in South Africa’s fight against unemployment.