If you are a young South African looking for your first real job experience, this one is worth a close look. Rohlig-Grindrod, a logistics and freight forwarding company, has opened applications for its 2027 Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme. Below is a plain-language guide to who can apply, where the positions are, what to prepare, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Quick Facts
- Programme: Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme 2027
- Company: Rohlig-Grindrod
- Start: 2027
- Duration: 12-month YES Programme contractors
- Locations: Sandton, Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town, plus a head office placement in Linbro Park, Johannesburg
- Main closing date: 15 November 2026
- Application method: Online only
What Is the YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service is a national initiative that helps unemployed young people get a year of paid work experience. The Rohlig-Grindrod programme gives unemployed young South Africans practical workplace exposure and helps them build skills that improve their future employability. You are not just shadowing someone. You work inside a real logistics business, with real deadlines and real customers.
Why Logistics Is a Smart Career Choice
Almost everything we buy, from groceries to phones, has travelled through a supply chain. Freight forwarding, shipping, customs and warehousing keep that movement going. The programme is aimed at youth interested in building a career in logistics, freight forwarding and supply chain management. It is an industry that always needs organised, reliable people, and it offers many paths to grow.
Where Are the Positions?
The 2027 intake is spread across several offices:
- Sandton / Linbro Park, Johannesburg (Gauteng): Based at the Head Office in Linbro Park, JHB. j
- Durban (KwaZulu-Natal): Based at Grindrod House in Durban.
- Cape Town (Western Cape): Based at the Rohlig-Grindrod offices in Airport City, Cape Town.
- Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape): Listed on several job boards as an available location.
Choose the office you can realistically reach every day for 12 months. Think about transport costs and travel time before you apply.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)
Check this list honestly before you spend time on an application. You must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be 35 years old or younger
- Be unemployed
- Have Matric (Grade 12). For the Linbro Park listing, at least 50% in English and Mathematics is required. Other listings only say Matric, so read the exact advert for your chosen office.
- Not have completed a YES Programme before. Previous participation makes you ineligible.
Skills and Qualities They Want
The advert is not looking for experience. It is looking for attitude and potential. The qualities listed include:
- Customer service orientation and the ability to handle a demanding customer environment
- Good problem-solving and decision-making skills
- The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Good teamwork and communication
- Adaptability, because the environment changes constantly
In your CV and answers, back these up with small real examples. Helping at a family business, organising a school event, or managing a busy shift at a part-time job all count.
Documents to Prepare
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV, Matric certificate and South African ID. Prepare these before you start the online form:
- An updated CV, no longer than two pages
- A clear scan of your Matric certificate (or statement of results)
- A clear scan of your South African ID
- A working email address and phone number you check daily
Save each file as a PDF with a simple name, like “Thandi_Dlamini_CV.pdf”. It looks professional and avoids upload errors.
Salary and Benefits: What We Know
Be realistic here. The vacancy does not state a specific salary or stipend. YES placements are normally paid, but the exact amount is not published in the adverts. Do not assume a figure. If you reach the interview stage, you can ask politely about the monthly pay, working hours and any benefits.
What you can count on is the experience itself: 12 months of on-the-job training, a work reference, and a stronger CV. Some listings also mention potential for future career development within Rohlig-Grindrod. That is not a promise of a permanent job, but a good intern is well placed to be noticed
How to Apply
Direct links (the apply buttons are on these pages):
- Sandton / Linbro Park, Johannesburg: https://www.jobhustle.co.za/rohlig-grindrod-yes-programme/
- Durban: https://youthvillage.co.za/2026/08/youth-employment-service-yes-programme-opportunity-at-rohlig-grindrod-durban/
- Cape Town: https://www.jobopportunitiesa.com/2026/09/get-logistics-training-through-the-rohlig-grindrod-yes-programme/
- Sandton, Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town together: https://applyscholars.com/rohligh-grindrod-yes-internships-27/
Please read this before you click: these are job-listing sites that point to the application portals. I could not see where each apply button leads. Make sure you end up on an official Rohlig-Grindrod or recognised recruitment portal. Use the official Rohlig-Grindrod recruitment process when applying. A genuine YES application never asks you to pay a fee.
Steps:
- Choose your office and open the matching listing.
- Click the apply button and create a profile if asked.
- Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Upload your CV, Matric certificate and ID.
- Review everything, submit, and keep a screenshot or confirmation email.
Important Dates
Closing dates differ by location, so check carefully:
- Sandton / Linbro Park: Some listings show 26 August 2026 as the closing date. That has already passed, so confirm whether this office is still accepting applications.
- Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town: 15 November 2026.
Don’t wait for the deadline. Employers sometimes review applications as they arrive, and websites can crash on the last day. Aim to apply this week.
Tips to Make Your Application Stand Out
- Tailor your CV. Mention customer service, teamwork and problem-solving using real examples.
- Keep it simple and neat. Use one clear font, no photos needed, and zero spelling mistakes.
- Show interest in logistics. Read a little about freight forwarding and supply chains so you can talk about it.
- Be easy to reach. Answer unknown numbers during the application period, and check your spam folder.
- Prepare for an interview. Expect questions like “How do you handle pressure?” and “Tell us about a time you solved a problem.”
- Apply for one office only, unless the listing says otherwise, so your details don’t get duplicated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying when you’ve already completed a YES Programme
- Uploading blurry or incomplete documents
- Using an email address that looks unprofessional
- Ignoring the Maths and English requirement
- Trusting anyone who asks for money to “secure” a spot
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need work experience? No. This is an entry-level programme.
Can I apply with only Matric? Yes, Matric is the minimum qualification.
Is it a permanent job? No, it is a 12-month contract, though it can open doors.
Is there a fee to apply? No. Report any request for payment.
Can I apply from outside the listed cities? You can, but you would need to be able to get to the office every day.
Final Thoughts
The Rohlig-Grindrod YES Programme 2027 is a real chance to move from “no experience” to “12 months in a global logistics business.” If you meet the requirements, gather your documents, pick your location, and apply before 15 November 2026. Details can change, so double-check the closing date and requirements on the advert you apply through.
I can also put this into a Word document or shorten it for a blog post if you’d like.
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