The Department of Higher Education and Training is phasing out 1,475 pre-2009 legacy qualifications in favour of occupational programmes that include workplace training.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announced the changes on 11 June 2026. He said the transition forms part of efforts to modernise the post-school education system.
Manamela stressed that qualifications already awarded remain valid and recorded on the National Learner Record Database. Students currently enrolled in affected N4 to N6 programmes will be allowed to complete their studies through transitional arrangements.
A total of 630 qualifications will receive enrolment extensions. The approved extensions are scheduled for publication in a Government Gazette on 15 June 2026.
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations chief executive Vijayen Naidoo said council research shows 86 percent of learners with occupational qualifications have found meaningful employment. South African Qualifications Authority chief executive Nadia Starr confirmed that older qualifications will never be worthless.