The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development has officially opened applications for Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Participant posts across multiple districts in the province. This large recruitment drive offers 519 contract positions to qualifying unemployed residents across KwaZulu-Natal.
For many young people and unemployed adults, opportunities like these can become an important stepping stone into the world of work. The programme is aimed at helping communities while also giving participants practical workplace exposure, income support, and experience that may improve future employment opportunities.
Applications are now open, and the closing date is 20 May 2026.
Quick Overview
Organisation: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development
Programme: Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Participants
Location: KwaZulu-Natal
Number of Posts: 519
Contract Duration: 10 Months
Monthly Stipend: R2 786.08
Closing Date: 20 May 2026
Minimum Qualification: ABET
Application Method: Hand-delivered applications only
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
What Is the EPWP Programme?
The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a government initiative designed to create temporary employment opportunities while also helping participants gain valuable workplace skills.
These jobs are usually contract-based and often focus on:
- Community support
- Cleaning services
- Public sector assistance
- Infrastructure support
- Administrative support
- Social development services
Although EPWP positions are temporary, many South Africans use them to:
- Gain work experience
- Build references
- Improve employability
- Earn an income while searching for permanent work
- Learn workplace discipline and communication skills
EPWP Participants Duties
Successful applicants will mainly perform cleaning and general support duties.
The circular lists the following duties:
- Provide cleaning services
- Clean general kitchen areas
- Clean restrooms
- Keep and maintain cleaning materials and equipment
Monthly Stipend
Successful EPWP Participants will receive: R2 786.08 per month
While this is not a permanent salary position, the stipend may provide important financial support for unemployed individuals and families.
Minimum Requirements
The Department of Social Development listed the following minimum requirements:
Qualifications
- ABET qualification
Knowledge
- Basic knowledge of operating cleaning equipment
Skills and Competencies
- Verbal communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Interpersonal relations
- Reliability
- Hard-working attitude
This opportunity may be suitable for applicants who:
- Have limited formal qualifications
- Are currently unemployed
- Want to gain work experience
- Are looking for government-related work exposure
Important Application Rules
Applicants must carefully follow all application instructions.
The department stated the following:
- Applications must be hand-delivered
- Applicants must use the new Z83 form
- The Z83 form must be fully completed and signed
- Applications must include a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copies of qualifications are not required at application stage
- Only shortlisted candidates will later be asked for certified documents
Failure to follow instructions may lead to disqualification.
Important Note About the New Z83 Form
Applicants must use the updated Z83 application form introduced from 1 January 2021.
Applicants should ensure:
- Every section is completed properly
- Contact details are correct
- The declaration section is signed
Security and Verification Checks
The department also noted that successful candidates may undergo:
- Security clearance
- Citizenship verification
- Qualification verification
- Criminal record checks
- Credit record checks
- Previous employment verification
Full List of EPWP Reference Numbers and Application Centres
Below is the complete list of reference numbers and application offices mentioned in the circular.
Head Office
Attention: Mrs PN Mkhize
- REF NO: DSD1/06/2026 – Head Office
uMgungundlovu District
Attention: Mr PC Madonsela
- REF NO: DSD2/06/2026 – uMgungundlovu District Office
- REF NO: DSD3/06/2026 – Pietermaritzburg Service Office
- REF NO: DSD4/06/2026 – Dambuza Youth Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD5/06/2026 – Vulindlela Service Office
- REF NO: DSD6/06/2026 – Maswazini One Stop Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD7/06/2026 – Mkhambathini Service Office
- REF NO: DSD8/06/2026 – Richmond Service Office
- REF NO: DSD9/06/2026 – Impendle Service Office
- REF NO: DSD10/06/2026 – uMngeni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD11/06/2026 – uMshwathi Service Office
- REF NO: DSD12/06/2026 – Swayimane Day Care Centre
- REF NO: DSD13/06/2026 – Mpofana Service Office
- REF NO: DSD14/06/2026 – Greenfields Child and Youth Care Centre
- REF NO: DSD15/06/2026 – Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo One Stop Development Centre
Harry Gwala District
Attention: Ms TW Gazu
- REF NO: DSD16/06/2026 – Harry Gwala District Offices
- REF NO: DSD17/06/2026 – Kokstad Service Office
- REF NO: DSD18/06/2026 – uMzimkhulu Service Office
- REF NO: DSD19/06/2026 – Riverside One Stop Development
- REF NO: DSD20/06/2026 – Ubuhlebezwe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD21/06/2026 – Ingwe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD22/06/2026 – KwaSani Service Office
Ugu District
Attention: Mr S Govender
- REF NO: DSD23/06/2026 – Ugu District Office
- REF NO: DSD24/06/2026 – Tolomane Mnyayiza Youth Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD25/06/2026 – Izingolweni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD26/06/2026 – Gamalakhe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD27/06/2026 – Phungashe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD28/06/2026 – Port Shepstone Service Office
- REF NO: DSD29/06/2026 – Umzumbe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD30/06/2026 – Umuziwabantu Service Office
- REF NO: DSD31/06/2026 – Umdoni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD32/06/2026 – Vulamehlo Service Office
Zululand District
Attention: Mrs FN Ntombela
- REF NO: DSD33/06/2026 – Zululand District Office
- REF NO: DSD34/06/2026 – Babanango Service Office
- REF NO: DSD35/06/2026 – Mahlabathini Service Office
- REF NO: DSD36/06/2026 – eDumbe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD37/06/2026 – Pongola Service Office
- REF NO: DSD38/06/2026 – Nkunzana Community Service Centre
- REF NO: DSD39/06/2026 – Godlwayo Service Centre
- REF NO: DSD40/06/2026 – Vryheid Service Office
- REF NO: DSD41/06/2026 – Louwsburg Service Office
- REF NO: DSD42/06/2026 – Nongoma Service Office
- REF NO: DSD43/06/2026 – Msebe One Stop Centre
- REF NO: DSD44/06/2026 – Usuthu One Stop Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD45/06/2026 – Mondlo Service Office
King Cetshwayo District
Attention: Mr MT Mngomezulu
- REF NO: DSD46/06/2026 – King Cetshwayo District Office
- REF NO: DSD47/06/2026 – Inkanyezi Service Office (Eshowe)
- REF NO: DSD48/06/2026 – Mamba One Stop Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD49/06/2026 – Nkandla Service Office
- REF NO: DSD50/06/2026 – Tulwane One Stop Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD51/06/2026 – Obuka Service Office
- REF NO: DSD52/06/2026 – Vuma Youth Development Academy
- REF NO: DSD53/06/2026 – uNgoje Service Office
- REF NO: DSD54/06/2026 – Melmoth Service Office
- REF NO: DSD55/06/2026 – uMfolozi Service Office
- REF NO: DSD56/06/2026 – Richards Bay Service Office
- REF NO: DSD57/06/2026 – Lower Mfolozi Service Office
uMkhanyakude District
Attention: Mr SS Mngomezulu
- REF NO: DSD58/06/2026 – uMkhanyakude District Office
- REF NO: DSD59/06/2026 – Mbazwana Service Office
- REF NO: DSD60/06/2026 – Hlabisa Service Office
- REF NO: DSD61/06/2026 – Ingwavuma Service Office
- REF NO: DSD62/06/2026 – Ndumo Youth Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD63/06/2026 – KwaShukela One Stop Centre
- REF NO: DSD64/06/2026 – Manyiseni One Stop Centre
- REF NO: DSD65/06/2026 – KwaMsane Service Office
uThukela District
Attention: Mr PP Ndaba
- REF NO: DSD69/06/2026 – uThukela District Office
- REF NO: DSD70/06/2026 – eZakheni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD71/06/2026 – Bergville Service Office
- REF NO: DSD72/06/2026 – Dukuzu Service Office
- REF NO: DSD73/06/2026 – Indaka Service Office
- REF NO: DSD74/06/2026 – eMnambithi Service Office
- REF NO: DSD75/06/2026 – eMtsheni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD76/06/2026 – Mbabazane Service Office
uMzinyathi District
Attention: Mr CM Ndaba
- REF NO: DSD77/06/2026 – uMzinyathi District Office
- REF NO: DSD78/06/2026 – Endumeni Service Office (Glencoe)
- REF NO: DSD79/06/2026 – Msinga Service Office
- REF NO: DSD80/06/2026 – Msinga Top OSDC
- REF NO: DSD81/06/2026 – Mkhuphula OSDC
- REF NO: DSD82/06/2026 – Emachunwini OSDC
- REF NO: DSD83/06/2026 – Kranskop Service Office
- REF NO: DSD84/06/2026 – Greytown Service Office
- REF NO: DSD85/06/2026 – Inkosi Mbongeleni OSDC
- REF NO: DSD86/06/2026 – Nquthu Service Office
- REF NO: DSD87/06/2026 – Inkosi Hlatshwayo OSDC
- REF NO: DSD88/06/2026 – Kgosi Morena OSDC
Amajuba District
Attention: Ms NY Mthembu
- REF NO: DSD89/06/2026 – Amajuba District Office
- REF NO: DSD90/06/2026 – Newcastle Service Office
- REF NO: DSD91/06/2026 – Charlestown Service Office
- REF NO: DSD92/06/2026 – Dannhauser Service Office
- REF NO: DSD93/06/2026 – Osizweni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD94/06/2026 – Madlangeni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD95/06/2026 – Osizweni Centre for the Care of People with Disabilities
- REF NO: DSD96/06/2026 – Madadeni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD97/06/2026 – Blaaubosch Youth Centre
eThekwini North District
Attention: Mr MG Nzama
- REF NO: DSD98/06/2026 – eThekwini North District Office
- REF NO: DSD99/06/2026 – Durban Service Office
- REF NO: DSD100/06/2026 – Inanda Service Office
- REF NO: DSD101/06/2026 – Prophet Isaiah Shembe One Stop Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD102/06/2026 – KwaMashu Service Office
- REF NO: DSD103/06/2026 – Phoenix Service Office
- REF NO: DSD104/06/2026 – Pinetown Service Office
eThekwini South District
Attention: Ms TN Ndlovu
- REF NO: DSD105/06/2026 – eThekwini South District
- REF NO: DSD106/06/2026 – Chatsworth Service Office
- REF NO: DSD107/06/2026 – Lamontville Office
- REF NO: DSD108/06/2026 – Wentworth Skills Development Centre
- REF NO: DSD109/06/2026 – Umlazi Service Office
- REF NO: DSD110/06/2026 – Umbumbulu Service Office
- REF NO: DSD111/06/2026 – Nsimbini Service Office
- REF NO: DSD112/06/2026 – Mpumalanga Service Office
iLembe District
Attention: Ms R Singh
- REF NO: DSD113/06/2026 – iLembe District Office
- REF NO: DSD114/06/2026 – Ndwedwe Service Office
- REF NO: DSD115/06/2026 – Maphumulo Service Office
- REF NO: DSD116/06/2026 – Bhamshela Service Office
- REF NO: DSD117/06/2026 – Mandeni Service Office
- REF NO: DSD118/06/2026 – KwaDukuza Service Office
How to Improve Your Chances of Being Shortlisted
Competition for EPWP opportunities is usually high. Applicants should ensure that:
- Their CV is neat and updated
- Contact numbers are active
- The correct reference number is included
- Applications are submitted before the deadline
- The correct application office is used
Applicants should also dress neatly and professionally when hand-delivering applications because first impressions can matter.
Edupstairs Advice
Many South Africans ignore EPWP opportunities because they are temporary. However, these programmes often become valuable stepping stones into future employment.
If you qualify, apply seriously and professionally. Even temporary work experience can strengthen your CV and help you build workplace confidence.
It is also important to:
- Keep copies of your documents
- Save your reference number
- Answer phone calls after applying
- Monitor your SMS notifications regularly
Do not wait until the final day to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is this a permanent job?
No. The EPWP Participant positions are contract-based for 10 months.
- What is the stipend amount?
Successful candidates will receive R2 786.08 per month.
- Can I apply if I participated in EPWP before?
No. The circular states that applicants who already participated in an EPWP Programme are not eligible.
- Do I need Matric?
The minimum qualification listed is ABET.
- Must applications be emailed?
No. Applications must be hand-delivered.
- Are certified documents required immediately?
No. Only shortlisted candidates will later be asked to submit certified copies.
- What happens if I am not contacted?
If applicants are not contacted within three months after the closing date, they should consider their applications unsuccessful.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Applicants should always refer to the official KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development vacancy circular for full application instructions and requirements.
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