Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya has reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring timely stipend payments for Education Assistants and General School Assistants under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).
Speaking at a joint media briefing on Wednesday in Pretoria, Sibiya said the recent delays under Phase V of the programme were resolved, following intensive engagement between the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
“Following intensive engagements that continued late into the night, government has now resolved the payment impasse. As of this morning, the UIF has released funds for stipend payments, and Education Assistants and General School Assistants began receiving their payments from 10am,” he said.
Beneficiaries banking with Capitec and FNB have already received their stipends, while those with other financial institutions will receive their payments according to standard inter-bank clearance times.
Sibiya emphasised that the BEEI is a multi-departmental partnership designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and proper oversight.
“The UIF provides the financial backbone of the programme. The IDC ensures payments are processed efficiently and transparently, while the DBE oversees implementation in schools, including attendance tracking and coordination with provinces. This collaboration demonstrates the strength of the South African state when institutions work together in unity and in service of the people,” he said.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that delays were due to compliance requirements under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and not neglect. He also apologised for the hardship caused to thousands of young South Africans.
“We must always uphold integrity when managing public funds, but we also acknowledge that delays in verification caused undue hardship for thousands of young people, and for that, government unreservedly apologises,” he said.
To prevent future delays, Sibiya outlined a corrective plan, including timely submission of compliance documents and attendance registers, a joint technical team to fast-track verification, improvements to the Kwantu Payment System, and proactive monitoring by the UIF.
“These steps represent a government that learns, adapts, and acts, not one that hides behind process, but one that transforms process into progress,” he said.
He further stressed that the resolution does not mark the end of accountability. The BEEI project will be a standing item in senior management and interdepartmental review meetings, and consequence management will follow where negligence is identified.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the initiative has created 158,000 employment opportunities for young South Africans, providing work experience, training, and skills development.
“These young people are not beneficiaries, they are contributors to our social progress. Your government has heard you, and today, we have acted,” said Sibiya.
He concluded by emphasising government’s determination to strengthen collaboration between the DBE and DEL, to ensure timely payments, faster verification through digital tools, and transparent communication about programme progress.
“Interdepartmental unity is a model we want to replicate across other youth employment and skills development programmes nationwide. Our people do not want excuses; they want delivery. And that is exactly what we are doing today,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
