Claim unpaid stipends and broken promises
Reporter – Isaac Cloete
Springbok:- Serious concerns have emerged from participants involved in a learnership programme, with multiple individuals alleging delayed payments, poor communication, and possible mismanagement by facilitators.
Screenshots circulating on social media, reportedly shared by a participant from Springbok, highlight growing frustration among learners who claim they have not received their stipends on time despite regular attendance and compliance with programme requirements.
According to the messages, attendance registers were submitted weekly, and learners were informed that payments would follow a structured monthly cycle. However, some allege that payments expected at the end of March never materialised.
“I mean, every time there is a new story or excuse… ” It’s like we don’t matter,” one frustrated participant wrote.
Further claims suggest that a company identified as “Ubuntu” may have already received significant funding linked to the programme, while learners themselves remain unpaid. These allegations have not yet been independently verified.
Learnership programmes in South Africa are meant to provide both training and a monthly stipend to support unemployed youth while they gain skills and workplace experience. Participants enter into formal agreements involving employers, training providers, and regulatory bodies, making timely payments a key part of the system.
Some participants have also raised concerns about transparency, questioning why an external company was appointed rather than a local service provider and whether proper oversight is being exercised.
At the time of publication, no official response had been received from the companies or organisations mentioned in the messages. CCN has reached out for comment and will update the story once responses are received.
“We were promised opportunity – now we’re left with silence,” say learners
