OCCUPATION PROFILE · DHET OFO 2021

Software Developer

2021-251201

9 catalogue-backed SETA research rows · 0 reviewed qualification links

This is a classification and research profile, not an advertised job, enrolment opportunity or current vacancy count. Each SETA entry retains its own reporting period.

CAREER EXPLAINER · EDITORIAL GUIDANCE

What does a Software Developer do?

Researches, analyzes and evaluates requirements for existing or new software applications and designs, develops, tests and maintains software solutions.

Explore the stored OFO-linked description, occupational group tasks and alternative titles below. Verify entry qualifications and professional registration separately.

OFO reference2021-251201

Major occupation groupProfessionals

Profile informationOFO details available

Career explanations are Edupstairs educational guidance, separate from the official OFO title and the source-dated SETA evidence below.

SHARED OFO DATA · CAREERS EXPLORER

Occupation information from the OFO dataset

Occupation description

Researches, analyzes and evaluates requirements for existing or new software applications and designs, develops, tests and maintains software solutions.

Specialisations

ICT Risk SpecialistInformation Architect SoftwareSoftware ArchitectSoftware DesignerSoftware Engineer

Reviewed career learning and qualification guidance

The following Edupstairs editorial content and Career Explorer-approved relationships are distinct from official OFO descriptors. Review dates and external requirements can change.

Edupstairs career guidance

Software Developers analyse requirements and design, write, test, implement and maintain software applications. They translate business or user problems into functioning software using programming languages, development tools and structured problem-solving methods.

Skills worth developing (guidance)

Programming
Problem solving
Debugging
Software testing
Version control
Database fundamentals
Requirements analysis
Continuous learning

Useful school subjects (guidance)

Mathematics
Information Technology
Computer Applications Technology
English / communication
Physical Sciences (helpful)

Reviewed career and training pathway

Software development has multiple legitimate entry routes: occupational qualifications, diplomas, degrees, structured learnerships and demonstrable programming experience. Occupational Certificate: Software Developer, SAQA 118707, NQF Level 5, 220 credits, is a current direct occupational pathway and is registered to 3 February 2027.

Preparation guidance

Do not rely on a certificate alone. Build working projects, learn version control, practise debugging and testing, understand databases and APIs, and maintain a portfolio that demonstrates what you can build. Different employers use different technology stacks.

Source-verified requirements (check current rules)

SAQA explicitly states that no professional registration or licensing is expected for Software Developers seeking employment in the sector. Employers can nevertheless set their own qualification, programming-language, portfolio and experience requirements. SAQA 118707 directly prepares a learner to operate as a Software Developer.

Open source used for career verification ↗

Qualifications with approved Career Explorer mappings

These relationships are marked approved in the Careers Explorer. That does not mean a qualification is currently registered, universally mandatory, or separately verified by the National Skills Explorer.

Certificate: Information Systems (Software Development or Internet Development or Engineering or Comprehensive Programming) (SAQA 62049 · NQF 5) — direct pathway · registration: requires verification
Diploma in Information Technology in Software Development (SAQA 74651 · NQF 6) — direct pathway · registration: requires verification
Higher Certificate in Software Development (SAQA 119053 · NQF 5) — direct pathway · registration: requires verification
Occupational Certificate: Artificial Intelligence Software Developer (SAQA 118792 · NQF 5) — direct pathway · registration: requires verification
Occupational Certificate: Software Developer (SAQA 118707 · NQF 5) — direct pathway · registration: verified current

Open this career in the Edupstairs Careers & Qualifications Explorer ↗

Data note: This section reads the occupation record already imported into the Edupstairs Careers & Qualifications Explorer. The stored record references OFO version 2021. Its individual descriptor and task source files are not separately authenticated by this bridge. Group-level tasks are not exclusive to this occupation. Qualification requirements and current labour-market demand are not inferred from OFO classifications.

CAREER DECISION SUPPORT

Explore Software Developer with a clear research plan

This occupation belongs to the Professionals major OFO group. The questions below are general career-research prompts—not occupation-specific duties, entry requirements or claims about demand.

Work to investigate

Explore the specialist knowledge, research, ethical rules and possible statutory scope of practice relevant to this field.

Training routes to verify

Check university and professional-body requirements; some occupations may have regulated titles.

Try a practical career decision question

Which claims in an employer advert require formal credentials, and which describe workplace skills?

Write down what you know, which evidence is missing, and one official source or employer advert you could consult next.

Use the source-linked OFO and SETA sections above/below to distinguish classification, dated research and verified learning pathways. Never assume that an occupational group implies a specific qualification or salary.

LEARNING & ENTRY PATHWAYS

How can you prepare for this career?

1Search for this OFO title in the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer. Verify any actual SAQA qualification mapping before treating it as a pathway.
2Compare universities, TVET programmes or occupational training providers according to the field; check programme-level eligibility and current registration status.
3Check relevant professional or trade bodies where applicable. Do not assume the occupation requires a licence solely because it appears in OFO.
4Develop demonstrable skills and research work experience through legitimate internships, learnerships or entry-level job adverts.

Explore courses, training and career tools

Career & Qualification Explorer University Course Explorer TVET College Explorer QCTO Accredited Providers SETA Platform Create an ATS CV

Links are research starting points, not automatically verified admission routes for this specific OFO occupation. Confirm the institution, qualification status and requirements yourself.

SETA research evidence

AgriSETAEmerging occupations

Software developer

Reporting period: 2025/26Historical evidence

View reported source ↗Source page: 65

BANKSETAPriority occupations

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2026/27Planning evidence · approval unconfirmed

View reported source ↗Source page: 86

BANKSETAEmerging occupations

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2026/27Planning evidence · approval unconfirmed

View reported source ↗Source page: 87

EWSETAPlanned interventions

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2025/26Historical evidence

View reported source ↗Source page: 56

EWSETAPriority occupations

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2025/26Historical evidence

View reported source ↗Source page: 57

FASSETVacancy / shortage reports

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2027/28Planning evidence · approval unconfirmed

View reported source ↗Source page: 41

INSETAVacancy / shortage reports

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2026/27Planning evidence · approval unconfirmed

View reported source ↗Source page: 42

MICT SETAVacancy / shortage reports

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2025/26Historical evidence

View reported source ↗Source page: 25 (indexed excerpt; needs binary verifi

MICT SETAPriority occupations

Software Developer

Reporting period: 2025/26Historical evidence

View reported source ↗Source page: Executive Summary; Table 18 around print

Reviewed qualifications and training coverage

No occupation–qualification association has been administrator-reviewed with source evidence yet. You can still explore SAQA and QCTO qualifications through the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Turn this career research into a plan

Career readiness self-check

Tick these items as you work through the profile. Nothing is saved or submitted.

I understand what this occupation generally involves. I have researched a possible training or experience route. I have checked relevant qualification or professional requirements. I have identified one practical next action.

Think like a professional

Choose an actual employer advert for this occupation. Which tasks and qualifications are stated in that advert, and which are only assumptions based on the occupation title?

How should I approach this challenge?

Write your answer in three parts: what information you have, what you still need to verify, and what action you would take next. Look for evidence before jumping to a conclusion.

Find opportunities and prepare an application

Latest internships Latest learnerships Company entry-level jobs Create an ATS CV Career Discovery

Explore occupations in a related OFO classification group

These share a coded classification group. This does not establish a career progression route or a shared qualification.

Frequently asked questions about this profile

Does this profile mean the occupation has vacancies?

No. An OFO classification is not a job advertisement. SETA research is historical or planning evidence, not a live vacancy count.

Are the listed courses guaranteed to qualify me for this occupation?

No. Only source-reviewed occupation–qualification connections are presented as verified links. Always check SAQA, QCTO, relevant professional bodies and the training institution.

Is a missing qualification link proof that no programme exists?

No. It means a programme association has not been administrator-reviewed in this explorer.

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Based on the official OFO 2021 catalogue. SETA records are source-linked research observations, not live openings.

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HOW TO USE THE EXPLORER

Understand the evidence before acting

Occupation ≠ opportunity

An OFO-listed occupation is not a current vacancy or recruitment announcement.

Dates matter

Historical, draft and unconfirmed research is labelled. Different years must not be combined into one demand estimate.

Providers ≠ seats

QCTO-imported provider records do not establish course availability, campus delivery or enrolment capacity.