WATCH: Hundreds queue at Thohoyandou Stadium for SANDF jobs amid SA's unemployment crisis
Hundreds of young South Africans flooded the Thohoyandou Stadium to submit their CVs and application forms for the two-year military program
Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers
Just a day after the SANDF announced the 2027 Military Skills Development System (MSDS) intake, hundreds of young South Africans flooded the Thohoyandou Stadium to submit their CVs and application forms for the two-year military programme.
IOL previously reported that the SANDF has officially opened applications for its 2027 Military Skills Development System (MSDS) intake, offering young South Africans the opportunity to train, serve and gain valuable skills during a two-year military programme.
The MSDS allows young South Africans to join the military on a two-year contract. During the first year, recruits complete basic military training followed by specialist training depending on their chosen service branch, which could be the SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy, or SA Military Health Service. Applications opened on Monday, 16 February 2026, and will close on 27 March 2026.
The surge of applications comes against the backdrop of a youth employment crisis in South Africa. According to Statistics South Africa, youth unemployment remains at 43.8%, with millions of young people struggling to find stable work.
Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa also expressed concern over the high levels of unemployment in the country, stating that the issue often keeps him awake at night.
“The issue of unemployment keeps all of us here on the stage awake,” he said, adding that the gravity of the situation particularly troubles him personally.
“It especially keeps me awake at night in terms of trying to find solutions."
To be eligible for the 2027 MSDS intake, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens (dual citizenship is not allowed).
- Be between 18 and 22 years old, or up to 26 if they are graduates.
- Have completed or be currently enrolled in Grade 12.
- Have no serious criminal convictions or pending cases.
- Have no visible tattoos.
- Meet the SANDF’s medical fitness standards.
- Achieve an Admission Point Score (APS) of at least 18, excluding Life Orientation.
- For specialised musterings, such as aviation engineering, applicants must have passed Mathematics and Physical Science.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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