Road Accident Fund Claim

There are over 14,000 accidents on South African roads every year, making South African roads some of the most dangerous roads in the world.

So, if you’ve been in an accident on a road in South Africa, you may need to claim from the Road Accident Fund.

What Does The Road Accident Fund Do?

The Road Accident Fund is financed by the contribution of South African drivers and vehicle owners. Every time you fill up at a petrol station, part of the per litre amount for petrol goes to the Road Accident Fund.

The purpose of the Road Accident Fund is to provide compulsory cover for those on South African roads – including foreign nationals. Then, if you have been involved in an accident within the borders of South Africa, you can claim from this fund.

The fund not only provides financial support for those who have been injured but also provides counselling and other non-financial interventions to help deal with the aftermath of a road accident.

How Does The Road Accident Fund Payout?

The process of claiming from the Road Accident Fund can be arduous and complicated, but we’ve simplified it through a step by step process detailing how to claim from the Road Accident Fund.

Step 1: Ensure You Are Within The Road Accident Fund Claim Limits

To qualify for a payout from the RAF, you need to submit a claim within a specific period; otherwise, your claim will not be accepted.

If the identity of the driver is known, you have three years to file a claim. If the identity of the driver who caused the accident is not known, you have two years to file a claim.

Step 2: Gather All The Necessary Documentation

To increase your chances of your RAF claim being successful, be sure you have all the necessary accompanying documentation. This includes the police report or case number of the accident, an affidavit detailing the accident, your personal details and the details of all of those involved in the accident. You may also need medical documents that confirm the injuries sustained due to the accident. Additionally, you can include motivating testimony from a legal or medical expert or witnesses who saw the accident take place.

Step 3: Fill In The Necessary Forms

The Road Accident Fund has several different forms you need to fill out depending on what you’re claiming for and the severity of the accident.

These are the forms you need to complete and what each of them means. Remember to print them out before completing them.

RAF 1: 3rd Party Claim Form

The RAF 1 f orm is the form you need to fill in if you are affected by an accident that was not caused by you. This can include if you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger in a vehicle or if you were the driver in another vehicle. You can also fill in this form if you are not the owner of the car you were driving and the cause of the accident is negligence on behalf of the car’s owner, for example: failing to maintain the car.

You can find the RAF 1 form here.

RAF 3: Accident Form Report

The RAF 3 form details the report of the accident. This form is mandatory and needs to be completed within 14 days of a road accident by the offending driver if they would not like to be held financially responsible by the RAF.

If the space within the form is not sufficient, you can attach additional documentation detailing witness testimony and information regarding the accident.

You can find the RAF 3 form here.

RAF 4: Serious Injury Assessment

If you would like to claim because you’ve sustained a serious injury, you need to fill in the RAF 4 form. This form should be completed if you want financial compensation for an injury.

You can find the RAF 4 form here.

Step 4: Submit Your Forms

Then, to begin your claim process, you need to submit your form to the RAF. You can drop off the forms, as well as the supporting documents, at the RAF regional office or send them via registered post to one of the RAF offices.

Also Read: How to Renew your Driver’s licence in South Africa

RAF Claim Status Check

To check on your road accident fund claim, you can call the RAF head office on (012) 621 1691, or you can call the call centre on 0860 23 55 23. If you’ve hired a lawyer to handle the process, you can also ask your lawyer to complete the status check on your behalf.

Claiming from the Road Accident Fund does not need to be a complicated process. It can be easy and rather successful if you know where to go and what forms to use.

You can also visit the RAF at one of their regional or walk-in offices or call 0860 23 55 23 if you’re having trouble completing the process.

MyNsfas Account

The Nsfas, known in full as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa. It is the government’s way of helping economically disadvantaged undergraduate students after high school to pay for their tertiary education. Although the South African government provides financial aid for numerous students, many others do not benefit from this program due to the sheer number of applicants each year. However, if you apply for Nsfas and your application is not accepted during the year you applied, and you submit an appeal, log into your Nsfas Account the following year to check your application status.

Here are the steps to follow to access MyNsfas account.

1. If you already have myNsfas Account, all you need to do is to use your password and username for your Google account or Facebook account to sign in.
2. If you don’t have one, then create a valid email address and have a strong password that consists of figures and letters.
3. Visit the Nsfas website at http://www.nsfas.org.za/ and click on “myNfsas account”.
4. Type in your username, which is oftentimes the email address you previously created. Then enter your password into the section that requests it.
5. Type in your most recent phone number and email address into the “my personal details” tab and click the section that says “update your details” to move forward. The phone number and email address you provide should not belong to anyone else.
6. You will receive a One Time Pin as a message on your new number and as an email to the address you provided. Then type in the One Time Pin (OTP) you received so that your information will be updated to the system.

Note that sharing your Nsfas password with some other person irrespective of who it is is not acceptable for security reasons.

Also, you may be unable to access your Nsfas account within certain periods due to network issues. It can also happen if officials are performing maintenance work on the website as a whole.

If you have a Nsfas Account, but you cannot remember the password, here are the steps to follow;

1. Enter your ID number on the “forgot your password” tab.
2. Click that you have forgotten your password and tap submit.
3. The site will send you an OTP through an SMS and an email which you have to type in and tap “submit” again.
4. After which, you have to create a new password that is strong but also easy for you to remember.

Note that if you are no longer in possession of the phone number you used to create your Nsfas Account and you’ve forgotten your login details, you need to submit a certified affidavit to uds@nsfas.org.za to request that the system updates your Nsfas account information with the new one you’ve provided. If you do not do this, you’ll be permanently unable to access your Nsfas account.

While some traffic infringements – like overstaying your welcome at a metre – may seem innocuous, having a penalty system for drivers who are disobeying the rules of the road is integral to keeping all road users safe. Consider that even a split-second bad decision can lead to injury or – even worse – death. So, even if you aren’t a fan of traffic fines, they are the best method to ensure users are more likely to comply with the road rules.

That said, if you do find yourself on the wrong side of the law, you will be subject to pay a fine, which thanks to AARTO, has become fairly easy and substantially cheaper to pay.

What Is The AARTO?

The AARTO – which came into effect on 1 July 2022 – is an administrative process that decriminalises many traffic offences. Before the AARTO came into effect, drivers who committed relatively insignificant offences like leaving their driver’s license at home would be subject to criminal prosecution according to the CPA. Now, offences like speeding, not having your license on you, and not wearing a seatbelt aren’t categorised as offences but rather as infringements that are subject to a fine and a demerit according to the demerit system.

How to Check my Tickets Online

To avoid additional charges, you should check your infringements regularly. The best way to do this is to access information about your infringements online.

Checking your tickets online also means that you are more likely to benefit from the AARTO’s 50% discount as you’ll know about the infringements within the 32 day grace period and can make arrangements to pay.

There are several access portals for you to view your traffic fines. One of those is the AARTO, but there are also private providers like PayCity. However, if you’ve created an AARTO profile – which is rather simple – you’ll be able to view any outstanding fines on your dashboard and pay them online.

 How to Check If I Have Traffic Fines To Pay

While every notice for a traffic infringement should be sent via registered mail to the address the traffic department has on record, these fines may not reach you – the intended recipient – on time, for any number of reasons. Because of this, you should be checking your traffic fines regularly. Sometimes you may have traffic infringements that you are not aware of or that have been improperly allocated to your vehicle.

There are two primary methods to conveniently check your traffic infringements, that is AARTO and PayCity. PayCity is a private entity that has a long-standing partnership with the government and has a convenient method to view and pay.

Consider Using PayCity

PayCity is a private online portal that enables you to view your outstanding infringements. The system is updated in real-time, so you can view your fines instantly instead of waiting for a letter from the AARTO. However, to pay your fines through PayCity, you’ll be charged a convenience fee of R10.

That aside, the platform is very user-friendly and you can get assistance from the 24/7 helpdesk if you have any issues – something you can’t do with AARTO.

Use The AARTO Portal

But using a third-party service like PayCity isn’t necessary if you don’t mind familiarising yourself with the AARTO’s system. The AARTO’s system is free to use for personal and company vehicles.  To view your fines, all you need to do is provide your particulars, after which you’ll be redirected to your user dashboard.

Similarly to PayCity, this information is also updated in real-time.

How to Pay My Traffic Fine

Several outlets enable you to pay for your traffic infringements. So, the choice of where to pay it should be based on your preference.

You can pay them at retail outlets like:

• Some Woolworths stores
• Pick n Pay – Nationwide
• Shoprite – Nationwide
• Checkers – Nationwide
• Spar
• Lewis
• Engen Quickshops

You can pay them through your online banking profile or app at the following banks:

• FNB
• ABSA
• Capitec
• Nedbank
• Standard Bank

When you’re paying through your bank, you’ll need to insert the 16-digit infringement code that is attached to the fine.

You can pay them online through:

• PayCity (An additional R10 fee applies for every payment made)
• Online Banking Profile

Now that the AARTO has come into effect, you can also make a 50% saving on your traffic fines if you pay them in full within the first 32 days of receiving your fine. So, if you are going to use one of the above portals to pay within 32 days you only need to pay half the amount of the full fine. However, to be sure you qualify for this you should check the AARTO website.

What Happens If I Don’t Pay My AARTO Fine?

Prior to the AARTO coming into effect nationwide, motorists who received fines would have been subject to an arrest, could face jail time and receive a criminal record. However, since the AARTO works to decriminalise minor traffic offences, the most severe form of punishment will be having your license suspended.

While this may not seem as extreme, the traffic department is constantly looking into different mechanisms to increase compliance, which means changes could be made that have far more severe consequences.

Can I Dispute My Fine?

If you weren’t the driver in the vehicle at the time or the car captured on the traffic camera isn’t yours you have 64 days to file a dispute. You will need to fill in and file a representation form which you can find online.

However, you can also elect to pay your fines in instalments within the first 64 days by completing the instalment form on the AARTO website. The maximum term for instalment payments is six months regardless of the amount. You can also email your form to instalments@rtia.co.za once you’ve completed it.

While the AARTO has made paying your fines easier, the process has become slightly more complex because of the admin involved. For this reason, you may want to contact the RTIA, your local traffic department, or a third party provider like PayCity if you’re unsure what to do.

What is a prospectus, and why should you care about it, a prospective Central University of Technology student?

Well, let us tell you!

A prospectus is a be-all, an end-all guide that will answer virtually all of your questions – we know you have many. Trust us; we’ve all been there. Updated and released every academic year, this guide will contain all the useful information you need, neatly packaged into one place for easy access.

CUT offers wide-ranging courses for prospective applicants and students to suit their individual needs. The world is advancing, and to catch up with the pace, the CUT educational approach is geared toward opportunities within the technological field.

The 2025 Prospectus for the Central University of Technology should contain the following information:

• How do you submit a successful application? Yes, that’s right! No more worrying about if you completed the steps correctly because they will let you know precisely how to do it
• Information regarding the faculties—CUT has four faculties to choose from: the Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (IT), and the Faculty of Management Sciences.
• Application opening and closing dates – write them down somewhere so you don’t forget! We recommend adding the applicable dates to your phone’s calendar.
• Information regarding the individual program offerings, as well as course offerings and what they may entail
• Fees! This is a big question for all prospective students, and the 2025 Prospectus will answer it.
• Accommodations—If you are planning on living in residence or are still unsure, use the information provided in the prospectus to help you decide.

How to Download CUT Prospectus

You might wonder how you would want access to the Central University of Technology prospectus. This is why we provide all the necessary information about getting your CUT prospectus. The prospectus contains the list of campus facilities, accommodation, financial support, bursaries, the list of courses, and course information.

The CUT prospectus contains information that helps prospective applicants and students understand what the university offers. When you want to take a course at CUT, the prospectus shows you the sub-sections and the various required information.

As we mentioned earlier, CUT  has two main campuses. The prospectus gives you a fair idea of what to expect and what can be found on each campus. In certain cases, there may be a campus that does not have all the necessary facilities. Once you have access to this prospect, you must go through them thoroughly to understand and know your way around the campus.

One unique fact about the CUT prospectus is that the institution provides a quick reference guide that helps people decide about the courses or programs it wishes to offer. The guide is just a summarised version of the program’s point.

As of 2025, the CUT prospectus has not been in PDF form. The institution’s webpage shows all the courses you need to know before mak ing a choice. The CUT prospectus page includes undergraduate and graduate programs. To Access the page, visit www.cut.ac.za

.  Once the page opens, type “prospectus” in the search bar and click enter.

This result shows you the various content pages with the prospectus details. Click to read through before applying at CUT.

And so much more! We’ll let you take a look yourself. Once the 2025 Prospectus for the Central University of Technology is uploaded and released for students to view, you can find it by going to their website, www.cut.ac.za, and then visiting the ‘Prospective Students’ tab under ‘Study at CUT.’

Let the excitement set it! Soon, you will be able to read all about life at the Central University of Technology, and we hope you will be able to experience it for yourself one day soon.

Undergraduate Prospectus

The Central University of Technology offers certificate and diploma courses at the undergraduate level. The undergraduate prospectus includes a faculty and the institution’s programs.  When you look at the homepage for the undergraduate prospectus, you will see subject codes for all the subjects offered at the institution. This makes it easy for students to understand or read whatever is posted or shared across the institution’s platform.  For example, when you look at the undergraduate homepage prospectus, you see the NWF5 level details and the number of years to complete a certified program. This information includes some of the admission points or minimum points or levels of achievement in the subject areas.

Postgraduate Prospectus

With technology and supervised support, postgraduate students can contribute immensely to practical research and innovation. This concept is geared towards advancement in technology and development. CUT has facilities that support research programs’ practices.

The postgraduate prospectus CUT indicates the faculties available and the minimum or maximum time to complete the various courses. It is important to also understand that NSFAS does not fund postgraduate programs. The homepage of the postgraduate prospectus provides you with the faculties and offers available.

CUT Address

If you are looking to locate the Central University of Technology, the first country that should come to mind is South Africa. A university in the free state and heartfelt of South Africa.

To locate CUT, use the address and contact details below:

Two Campuses: Bloemfontein and Welkom

Bloemfontein Address
Central University of Technology
Free state Private Bag X20539
Bloemfontein, 9300
South Africa
Phone number: +270515073911

Welkom Address
1 Mothusi Road
Welkom, 9300
South Africa
Phone number: +270579103500

Sanlam is one of South Africa’s leading financial service providers and the largest insurance company in all of Africa. The headquarter of Sanlam is at Bellville, western cape, South Africa and operates in several other African countries, which include: Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, India, Malaysia and the UK. The company also has business interests across the globe, reaching Australia and the Philippines; no doubt it is Africa’s largest insurance company. Since its establishment in 1918, the life insurance company has developed and branched out into several other financial services, including Sanlam personal finance, Sanlam emerging markets, Sanlam Investments, Sanlam corporate, and Santam.

Since its acquisition of SAHAM in 2018, Sanlam has become the biggest non-banking financial service provider on the continent. The company provides several financial services, including life insurance, financial planning, retirement annuities, trusts, wills, short-term insurance, assets management, risk management and capital market activities, investments and wealth management. Its reach and exposure extend to north African countries and the middle east. Sanlam has, through its partnership with Ubuntu-Bonto Investments, been able to empower the broad-based black economy.

As mentioned above, the Sanlam group operations are managed through five different operating clusters which are:

• Sanlam personal finance
• Sanlam emerging markets
• Sanlam investments
• Sanlam corporate
• Santam.

Sanlam Share Price

Sanlam’s current share price, according to wallet investors as of 8/14/2022 stands at 8.130USD (+.619%) and a market cap of 8,653,090,000 USD. They however foresee a decrease in the share price in the next year. They estimate that the share price would reduce to 6.837USD. For this reason, now may be a good time to buy shares and invest in the company. You can buy and monitor your shares online through several stock trading websites such as JSE.

How to register with Sanlam

To enjoy the full benefits of all that Sanlam has to offer, you would have to be registered with the company. For you to do that, here’s what you’ll need.

• A Sanlam product number or valid ID/Passport number
• A valid cell phone number
• A valid e-mail address

Once you have the have requirements, follow these simple steps to register:

• Go to the official Sanlam website and click on login. You can type in www.sanlam.co.za in your browser. To can also use this direct link in your browser address field, https://cp.sanlam.co.za
• Then click on the register button
• When the portal opens, enter your product number or ID/Passport number to start your process.
• You will then be required to confirm your cell phone number
• Once you have done that, confirm your email address as well
• Choose a username, something that you would remember easily
• A temporary password will be sent to you via SMS, enter the password in the corresponding field
• You can then choose a new password. Choose a password that is not easily hacked but also something you can easily remember
• Read and accept the terms and conditions and your Sanlam portfolio will be open and you can now be able to manage your portfolio online.

Sanlam investments

Sanlam provides a wide variety of investment opportunities that accommodate different investor risk and return preferences. Here’s why you consider investing with Sanlam. They have been dedicated to creating value and contributing to financial prosperity for their stakeholders over the past 100 years of existence. The company also diversifies its operations to meet your individual and organizational needs. Investors also benefit from the company’s unmatched pan African presence and the opportunity to invest in other high growth territories through a stable and well-established partnership model. Below is a list of Sanlam’s investment options.

Unit trust 

A unit trust is an investment plan that gives access and cost-effective access to companies via share and property bonds which are not available to direct investors with smaller amounts to invest. Sanlam’s unit trust gives you access to South Africa’s investment managers, not allowing you to navigate the market alone. With Sanlam, you can enjoy a wide variety of funds, with both local and international investment options from R500 a month.

Investing for growth 

To make money grow and work for you, Sanlam provides a variety of investing for growth options which include unit trusts (minimum contribution of R500 per month), Sanlam Wealth Edge Endowment Plan (a minimum lump sum of R100,000), and Sanlam Cumulus Investment Plan (from R1000 per month or R100,000 lump sum).

International investments 

Sanlam’s international investments include; investing directly offshore, investing in rand-denominated funds, investing with Glacier by Sanlam and investing with Sanlam Private Wealth.

Education planning 

With Sanlam Goal Manager, you can very easily plan and save for your child’s education (including college and university tuition) no matter how young or old they are.

• Online trade with Sanlam iTrade

Sanlam’s iTrade allows you to have access to live market information and news, daily and weekly market reports, and immediate trade confirmations via SMS. It also provides a unique feature and experience of trading online in Afrikaans.

• Sanlam tax-free savings 

With as little as R350 per month, you can save Tax-free for your long term goals. You will not be required to pay any tax on interest, dividends or capital gains. You can equally withdraw your money at any time.

How do Sanlam investments work?

After reviewing the investment options at Sanlam, here is how it all works. If you would like to invest, you can follow these steps;

Step 1: choose an investment plan that’s right for you 

In order to choose a product or investment plan that will suit you, you should first identify what your financial goal is. You could choose to save for retirement or for your child’s education; that could be your goal.

Step 2: familiarize yourself with the specific features of each product or plan.

This includes knowing when you will be allowed to withdraw your money, whether or not you will be taxed on your investment or the money you have withdrawn etc.

Step 3: consider these things 

• How long do you want to invest for
• How much risk you are willing to take
• How much you can afford to contribute towards your financial goal
• The adviser and administration fees associated with your fund of choice

The answers to these questions will guide and give you a better idea of the risks and benefits your ideal fund might fall into.

Step 4: get ready to invest. 

Now that you are fully knowledgeable of your financial goal, the risk involved, and whether or not you can afford it, you can now choose a fund that suits you and invest. You can invest online or with the help of a financial advisor. Either way, you should have these documents handy:

• Proof of identity such as a copy of your ID
• Proof of address

In the event that you are investing for a minor, you will need to provide additional information and documentation. Your financial adviser should be able to give you more information on this subject.

Once you have invested, investors get paid a percentage of ownership in the company in exchange for providing capital. Following the specific features of the product or fund you choose and with the help of your financial adviser, you will know when you are able to withdraw your money and how much interest or dividends your investment yields.

Also Read: How to Claim From the Road Accident Fund in South Africa

Sanlam investment calculator 

Sanlam has principally four investment calculators, which will be listed and explained below:

• Education calculator

You can find out how much to save for your child by using this tool. Based on the age of the child or the number of children you have, and your monthly income, you will be able to know how to save for each child.

• Retirement calculator

This tool enables you to know how much you will need to save to be able to retire comfortably. It uses projections based on assumptions about uncertain future outcomes and compares your current age, projected retirement age and current monthly earnings to propose a suitable retirement plan.

• Income tax calculator 

The income tax calculator tool calculates your annual and monthly income tax deductions by comparing your age and monthly salary to your last year’s deduction.

• Funds value calculator 

This tool calculates the value of your investments which is always equal to the number of units multiplied by the daily selling price of the investment fund.

We hope this article gives you a proper overview of Sanlam’s financial services, how to register and benefit from these services and how to grow your wealth by choosing one of their investment plans and systems. If you would like to know more about this company, please check their official website.

As one of the best schools in South Africa, Rhodes University is not only a great place to study, but it’s a great way to spend your formative years. If you’re considering attending the university or have applied, this quick guide should help you navigate this next chapter easily.

How To Access Rhodes University’s Prospectus

While studying at Rhodes University is a delightful experience, the web experience isn’t as user-friendly. However, to give you a comprehensive look at what attending the university will be like, we help you navigate the Rhodes University Prospectus.

Rhodes doesn’t have a PDF download of their prospectus, unfortunately. However, you can navigate your way around the website to find information on the website. The best place to start if you’re looking for a traditional prospectus is to visit ru.ac.za. Once on the home page, you can click on the “Studying” tab and scroll to “Orientation.” When you’re on the orientation page, click on faculties and departments, followed by the Faculty you intend to join. When you’re on your faculty page, you can navigate to the booklets and PDFs Rhodes University provides.

Also, the university walks you through applying on its  admissions page

, which also has information about what you can expect when attending the university.

However, you can also download the Rhodes University booklet if you’re still in the decision-making phase. This two-page download gives you a brief overview of what it is like to attend Rhodes University.

You can also get a hold of Rhode’s University PDF prospectus by emailing registrar@ru.ac.za or calling 046 603 8276.

With this information in hand, it’s easier to make informed decisions on what and where to study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study at Rhodes University?

Any student intending to study at Rhodes University must factor in fees for tuition, residence, stationery, and miscellaneous expenses. Tuition fees, which vary according to course of study and citizenship classification, may range roughly from 35,000 to 70,000 South African Rand. Residence fees, influenced by the level of study and type of accommodation, fall within the 65,000 to 80,000 South African Rand. New entrants also pay acceptance fees (for tuition and accommodation) and cancellation fees (where and when applicable).

How long does receiving information about the university’s decision on a completed application take?

Rhodes University usually communicates decisions on submitted admission applications within a 14-day window. In addition, students can track the status of their admission online at the university’s designated portal.

Are financial aid packages available to students at Rhodes University?

Full information on financial aid programmes and student packages is available upon request at the university’s financial aid offices. Rhodes University’s Undergraduate Financial Aid Offices handle enquiries on financial aid packages for undergraduate students. The university’s Postgraduate Financial Aid Offices handle enquiries on financial aid packages for postgraduate students. The university hosts a number of bursaries and scholarships that may be specific to certain students. The university’s music department has a number of bursary and scholarship programmes like 1^st year BMus Bursary, The Rhodes University Charles Bryars Scholarship, Robert B Lloyd Bursary, Rupert Onderwysstigting Prize, Lamond Paterson Scholarship, and Grahamstown Training College Fund etc. Postgraduate students also enjoy a number of funding opportunities such as Ruth First Scholarship, The David Ryan Memorial Scholarship in Philosophy and Rhodes University Postgraduate Scholarships.

Does Rhodes University have an application fee waiver policy?

Currently, Rhodes University does not offer application fee waivers to students. The university’s application fee charge of 100 South African Rand is non-refundable and compulsory for all students, both home and international students.

Do I have to sit for the National Benchmark Test to apply for admission to Rhodes University?

The National Benchmark Test is a mandatory examination required of all first-time university entrants in South Africa.  The National Benchmark Test is comprised of two tests, The Academic and Quantitative Literacy Test (AQL) and the Mathematics Test. These tests are recommended for all first-time university applicants seeking placement at Rhodes University, as these tests can be useful for admissions decisions.

Whether it’s by-elections, municipal elections, or general elections, being registered to vote allows you to voice your views on how your community, city, and province are managed. You can also give input on how the country is run.

But you cannot simply appear at the polling station on voting day and cast your ballot. You have to be registered to vote beforehand. During by-elections and municipal elections, you also need to be sure you have registered at the correct voting station. The following guide should help you determine if you are registered to vote if your particulars are up-to-date, and if they are not –– how to change or update them.

How to Check Your Voting Registration Status

If your nearest voting station is like the many voting stations in South Africa, you’ll be standing in a queue for hours. You don’t want to get to the front of the queue only to find out you’re not registered to vote. This simple step-by-step guide can save you headaches and frustration by checking your voter registration status.

Check Your Voting Registration Online

The easiest way to check your voting status is to do it online. This way, if you realise your registered information is incorrect, you can go about updating from the same portal. You can follow this 2-step process to get started.

Step 1: Visit The IEC Website

The start of checking your voting registration online is to visit the IEC’s website. On the home page, you should scroll down to a section that says “My Voter Registration” or simply use this link to go directly to the section.

Step 2: Input Your ID Number

In the section titled “My Voter Registration,” input your 13-digit South African ID number. Click on the ReCaptcha, and then click check now. You will be redirected to a page with all your voting details, including the polling station where you are registered to vote or if you are registered to vote via special vote.

Check Your Voting Registration via SMS

You don’t only have to check your voter registration status online. You can also do it via SMS for R1.00.

Simply SMS your 13-digit South African ID Number to 32810. You will receive a message in response with your details.

Check Your Special Voting Status via SMS

If you have registered to vote via special vote before, you can check to see the current status of that application by SMSing your 13-digit South African ID Number to 32711.

What You Should Do if Your Details Have Changed

If you notice the details the IEC has are not up-to-date, you should make an effort to change them. Voting with incorrect particulars can be seen as voter fraud as you may artificially increase the votes in a region in which you no longer reside, especially during municipal and by-elections. To ensure you’re not on the wrong side of the IEC’s guidelines, you should update your details if you realise they no longer reflect your current address or voting district.

Step 1: Visit The Voter Registration Portal

The first step to updating your address is to visit the IEC’s voter portal.

Step 2: Login or Create a Profile

Once on the portal, navigate to the button that says “login or create a profile.” After clicking, you will be redirected to the login page. If you’ve created an online profile with the IEC before, you can enter your ID number and password associated with your account.

If you have never created a profile, scroll down and click on the link that says “To create a new profile, follow this link,” which will redirect you to create a user profile.

From there, you will be required to enter your details, including your ID number, your first name and surname, and cell phone number.

Enter the ReCaptcha, and click on “Create profile.” From there, follow the prompts to create your profile.

Step 3: Navigate to Your Address Details

After creating your profile, you will be able to access your dashboard. From there, you will need to navigate to your current address information.

You can then enter your new address information. The IEC will show you which voting station you will be registered to vote in.

If you aren’t happy with the voting station they’ve selected when you are allowed to review your ward and voting district, use the voting station finder to choose a more suitable voting station.

Then, when you’ve selected a voting station, you need to follow the prompts to confirm your address.

What To Do If You Aren’t Registered To Vote

While checking your voter registration details, you may determine you aren’t registered to vote. If that is the case, you can rectify that without going to an IEC branch. Complete the steps below to register to vote online.

Step 1: Visit The Voter Registration Portal

You don’t have to wait for an election to register to vote; you can register to vote at any time. Simply go to the voter registration portal and select the button that says “Register to vote.” The site will redirect to a screen that requires you to agree to terms and conditions. Read through the information carefully before scrolling down and clicking “I Accept the Terms of Use,” followed by “Begin Application Process.”

Step 2: Create an Account

After completing the above process, enter your 13-digit South African ID number, full name, and cell phone number.

You will be sent an OTP to the number you provide, enter the six-digit code to continue.

Step 3: Capture Your Home Address

Now you need to insert your home address. If you reside in a housing complex, enter the street address of the housing complex’s entrance as the IEC may not have the internal street address. You can then navigate to your address using the map.

Once you enter your full address, the IEC will display your voting and ward district details. If you are happy with the information, proceed. If not, use the voting station finder to select a more suitable voting station.

Step 4: Upload a Picture of Your ID

To complete your voter registration, you will need to take a picture of either your green barcoded ID, your temporary ID, or your Smart ID card. The picture should be clear, well-lit, and show pertinent details like your ID number and image. Also, the full ID must be in the frame.

If your image meets these criteria, upload the image onto the portal.

Step 5: Confirm Your Registration

The IEC will then confirm that you’ve been registered to vote, either via email or SMS.

If you have any more questions regarding your voter registration status or need assistance updating your details, you can call the IEC on 012 622 5700 for general enquiries or email them at info@elections.org.za,

Are you looking to create a career in a noble profession like serving the South African National Defense Force(SANDF)? Then, it’s the perfect time for applying, as SANDF is recruiting young, fit, and healthy candidates for the force. However, it would help if you were a country citizen to obtain the chance.

South African National Defense Force, or SANDF, is South African National Defense Force’s part-time and voluntary directorate. This force is responsible for delivering expertise, assistance, and guidance to the armed forces and responding to arising crises. Comprising South African armed forces within, SANDF is pledged to protect RSA, its people, and its territorial integrity, adhering to the constitution and international laws determining the use of the force.

So, like numerous young people, you can also enlist your name in the SANDF, and the following sections will help you create a lucid idea of how to do it.

Why Should You Join SANDF?

The SANDF recruitment form will allow you to serve your country and its people during times of crisis and disasters. Your recruitment improves our country from its defensive needs, and you get to learn new skills, honing yourself as a professional individual.

Besides, SANDF is a reserve force in South Africa. Hence, you will have the opportunity of traveling to foreign countries too.

Some other benefits of joining SANDF are:

• Free or subsidized travel in public transport
• Support of acquiring skills and education
• Job placement
• Burial support

These benefits give you enough opportunities to earn and serve our country adequately. In addition, when you complete working for

SANDF, you will become a veteran, enabling you to avail yourself of facilities like free access to military health services, housing, military pension, Free or subsidized travel in public transport, and more.

What are the Roles of the Reserve Force of South Africa?

South Africa’s reserve force’s responsibility is to enhance the force’s continuing and regular operations and activities. Besides, the defence force participates in the surge and standing military force design. Alongside, bestowing the defence force with expansion capabilities for crisis response and combat operations is another area to serve.

In addition, the reserve force is responsible for specialist aptitudes and rare skills to the Defense Force for development and reconstruction. Moreover, SANDF also adopts measures to manage and enhance the connections between the Private, Public, and Defense sectors.

After overcoming the SANDF recruitment procedure, you can choose to serve any of the 12 corps, fulfilling their unique requirements. This list includes Air Defense Artillery, Intelligence, Engineer, Signal, and more.

How Can You Join The South African National Defense Force?

You can join the South African National Defense Force in two ways: through the SANDF application form or Military Skill Development System.

MSDS is a Defense program department facilitating a platform for enlisting interested individuals in the South African National Defense Force. If you enter the SANDF through MSDS, you must provide a voluntary service for 2 years. When it completes, the force will sign you with a contract for 5 years, permitted to be renewed for up to 65 years of age.

You can only enter the force if you have direct skills like diesel mechanics, IT specialists, or engineers.

Your first year of military skills development service encompasses the following training protocols.

• Primary military and functional training
• Special training related to crops
• Partaking in practical exercises of the military force
• Training exercises as combat preparation
• Junior leader selection

Your second year of military skills development service contains the below-mentioned training.

• Leader group corps training for junior leaders
• Execution of Yong Officer Formative Training
• Concentrating on the use and deployment of Military Skills Development System troops

During these two-year training and utilization, the Military Skills Development System members will obtain wages from the organization.

Requirements SANDF Applicants Should Follow to be Selected

To qualify as an SANDF candidate, you should fulfil the following criteria.

• You should be a South African citizen between 18 to 22 years of age (the age relaxation for graduate students is up to 26 years).
• You must continue with the National Senior Certificate or have completed it. Then, you can go through this page to learn how to acquire it.
• Please don’t have any area restrictions, and having no criminal history is mandatory.
• You should be fit according to the medical fitness obligations of the SANDF and ready to serve your country, along with continuing military and functional training.

All these requirements will be valid if you enter with direct SANDF recruitment and some trivial changes. Let’s discuss the additional requirements below.

• The official age range for candidates is 18 to 26 years. Unfortunately, this age restriction isn’t viable for applicants with critical or professional skills.
• If you are working somewhere else, you should be able to take special leaves for military activities.
• Different corps might have additional requirements for candidates. For example, Air Force will require aviation-related expertise from applied candidates.

Candidates applying for the MSDS in SANDF, regardless of the branch of service, will need to undergo a selection process that incorporates an election board (interview), psychometric test, criminal record evaluation, and medical checkups.

Requirements to qualify for the Military Skills Development Program

For one to qualify for the Military Skills Development Program, the minimum requirements are as follows:

• The candidate must be a South African Citizen without a dual citizenship
• Should be aged between 18 and 22 years when they join and should not be more than 22 years if they are graduates
• Only applicants who are single are accepted
• Applicants should be currently in Grade 12 or completed Grade 12 or equivalent with subjects specific to a career selection.
• The person should be willing to be deployed in any area or country for work purposes.
• Their criminal record should be clean.
• Should be physically and medically fit according to the requirements of the SANDF

Once one complies with all the prescribed requirements for appointment in the SANDF, they are recommended by a selection board.

However, specialized occupations may have additional requirements depending on their specific training demands. If an applicant meets the minimum requirements, they are further screened, and the chosen candidates will undergo another selection process which entails psychometric evaluation, formal interviews, medical evaluation, and criminal records check. If all is well, an employment offer is issued. Psychometric tests are tailor-made to suit the position being applied for. They are carried out to measure the mental aptitude of the candidate and their potential to develop in the position that was applied for.

Interviews will be held to ascertain if applicants have communication skills, self-confidence, and leadership potential. A thorough medical evaluation will be conducted by military medical practitioners in order to assess the applicants’ medical status and history. Applicants must have good medical results to qualify. Applicants must also go through criminal record checks done via fingerprint verification by the Criminal Record Bureau. Both successful and non-successful candidates will be informed of their results. 

Requirements for joining the South African Air Force (SAAF)

The SAAF is an arm of the defence forces contributing to the welfare, security, and safety of its citizens. SAAF controls the South African skies and has also been structured towards regional peace-making, maritime patrol, operational control, and disaster relief. Some of the careers under SAAF are Aircrew (pilot and navigator), aviation and maintenance, engineering, and general maintenance.

The SAAF also provides combat-ready air capabilities for the SANDF in service of the country. The Air force Military Skills Development program is a two-year voluntary service system. Here, recruits sign up for a period of two years, during which they will receive military training. The requirements are the same as the MSDS program. However, serving in the air force requires psychological and physical attributes and the intellectual potential for developing the unique competencies needed in the air force.

More so, individuals who join the air force must have certain elementary attributes, while each mustering (or occupational class) include additional attribute requirements. For example, electricians must not be colour blind, as they must identify wiring in circuits by colour codes. Exclusion from one occupational class does not disqualify you from being considered for another.

Serving in the air force requires not only academic qualifications but also socially accepted behaviour. Society will be looking up to you; therefore, you have to always lead by example. Volunteers must pledge that they will uphold a strict Code of Conduct.

 Requirements for joining the South African Navy (SAN)

The SA Navy’s mission is solely to render seaward military service, which is accomplished through the development, management, and maintenance of the ability to provide maritime operations, assistance and support operations, hydrographical services and supporting services. This requires highly trained and motivated personnel.

Those willing to join the SAN can do so through the MSDS. Careers that are featured in the SAN include protection force, engine room attendants, human resources, public relations, hospitality, fire-fighting, logistics, communication, physical training, maritime reaction squadron, SA Navy divers, and combat officers. It also features student engineers and student naval technical officers. However, to note is the fact that some opportunities here do require mathematics and physical science at level 4.

Training Requirements in the Naval College

To gain practical experience, junior officers receive their orientation training at the Naval College at Gordon’s Bay on the Cape. Accepted candidates undergo 12 weeks of a basic training course at the Naval College, Gordon’s Bay and Western Cape. Further selection procedures are done upon completion of the basic training, and successful candidates continue with Formative Training for Officers Part I.

As for officers with the required academic aptitude, they are sent to the Military Academy, where they study for their B.Mil. Degree. They may also attend the University of Stellenbosch, where they are trained as engineers. If one wishes to become a naval technical officer, he or she can study for diplomas at the universities of technology. Later on, in their careers, these officers then attend a series of courses at the Naval Staff College located in Muizenberg.

Here, they receive training in Management and Strategy, including other advanced subjects. This qualifies them for senior command and staff appointments. Non-Commissioned Officers: Basic training for all Permanent Force recruits takes place at SAS Saldanha. Technical training takes place at SAS Wingfield. Combat and other non-technical specialist training take place at SAS Simonsberg in Simonstown. Throughout their careers, Permanent Force members periodically return to these training units to do more advanced courses.

Requirements for joining the South African Military Health Services (SAMHS)

The SAMHS’ mission is ‘to support the SANDF by providing quality health services for the full range of armed forces deployments and to sustain the health members and armed forces and their families, and others eligible for SAMHS.’ It is comprised of four specialized units. These include the Institute of Aviation Medicine, the Institute of Maritime Medicine, the Military Veterinary Institute, and the Military Psychological Institute. These provide comprehensive medical care for the armed forces and those who depend on them. For one to join SAMHS, they also are recruited via the MSDS.

Also Read: How to Apply for South African Police Service (SAPS) Careers

Ending Lines

So, all these benefits will allow you to grow your professional career, letting you contribute directly to strengthening your country’s military force. But, ensure to fulfil all the obligations this article has illuminated in the above sections. Besides, gather more information about SANDF recruitment so that you don’t have to take any speculated steps while applying. However, all applications for MSDS 2025 have already been submitted. Hence, you have to wait for the 2025 applications. For more information, you can also contact the Western Cape Recruitment offices of the SANDF at 021 787 1144. Or, you can email or call SANDF’s head office through info@dod.mil.za and (012) 355 6999.