MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS (DARDLEA) VACANCIES 2026.
The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) invites interested and suitably qualified applicants to apply for various entry-level positions currently available across its research farms, environmental centres and district offices. These opportunities are open to individuals with Grade 10 or equivalent qualifications and provide employment in areas such as agricultural support services, food service assistance, cleaning, grounds maintenance and general farm operations.
DARDLEA is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from persons with disabilities. The Department aims to improve representivity in the public service through fair recruitment processes aligned with relevant legislation. Applicants are reminded that no payment is required at any stage of the application process and that submissions must be completed through the official Mpumalanga provincial e-recruitment system before the closing date.
Positions Available – Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA)
- Tractor Driver (X2 Posts)
- Tractor Driver (X3 Posts)
- Farm Aid II (X5 Posts)
- Farm Aid II (X5 Posts)
- General Assistants (Food Service Aid) (X2 Posts)
- General Assistants (General Workers) (X2 Posts)
- Cleaner (X4 Posts)
- Groundsman (X1 Post)
The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. The Department intends to promote representivity through the filling of these posts. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. No payment of any kind is required when applying for these positions.
- Position: Tractor Driver (X2 Posts)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/11
- Salary: R193 359 per annum
- Centre: Athole Research Farm
Requirements:
Grade 10 or equivalent. Valid RSA driver’s license. Skills and competencies required include basic reading and writing skills, good interpersonal relations, ability to work independently and as part of a team, advanced knowledge of the general function of a tractor, ability to execute physical and manual tasks, knowledge of general cleaning services including gardening, ability to operate cleaning and gardening equipment and machinery, and basic equipment maintenance skills.
Duties:
Physical execution of duties as given by the supervisor, including operation of implements, general maintenance of tractor and implements, transport of goods from one station to another through traffic, advanced handling of implements such as 2-way disc, planters, reapers, rotary cutters, all types of ploughs, rippers, feed mixer, dam scoop, graders and similar equipment. Accurate ploughing, discing and planting on small research premises. Assistance with making fire breaks and firefighting when necessary. Making hay and silage. Responsible for planting all crops, fodder and horticultural plants. Responsible for harvesting processes. Assistance in fencing activities. Working overtime and weekends when required. Assistance in all other farm work when necessary.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: Tractor Driver (X3 Posts)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/12
- Salary: R193 359 per annum
- Centre: Nooitgedacht ADC
Requirements:
Grade 10 or equivalent. Valid RSA driver’s license. Skills and competencies required include basic reading and writing skills, good interpersonal relations, ability to work independently and as part of a team, advanced knowledge of the general function of a tractor, ability to execute physical and manual tasks, knowledge of general cleaning services including gardening, ability to operate cleaning and gardening equipment and machinery, and basic equipment maintenance skills.
Duties:
Physical execution of duties as given by the supervisor, including operation of implements, general maintenance of tractor and implements, transport of goods from one station to another through traffic, advanced handling of implements such as 2-way disc, planters, reapers, rotary cutters, all types of ploughs, rippers, feed mixer, dam scoop, graders and similar equipment. Accurate ploughing, discing and planting on small research premises. Assistance with making fire breaks and firefighting when necessary. Making hay and silage. Responsible for planting all crops, fodder and horticultural plants. Responsible for harvesting processes. Assistance in fencing activities. Working overtime and weekends when required. Assistance in all other farm work when necessary.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: Farm AID II (X5 Posts)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/13
- Salary: R163 680 per annum
- Centre: Athole Research Farm
Requirements:
Grade 10 or equivalent. Skills and competencies include basic reading and writing skills, good interpersonal relations, ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to execute physical and manual tasks, ability to operate cleaning and gardening equipment and machinery, and basic equipment maintenance skills.
Duties:
Physical and manual execution of tasks such as fencing, maintenance of infrastructure and implements, garden maintenance, preparation of lands and haymaking. Assistance in loading, offloading and stacking feeds, fertilisers and hay. Assistance with maintenance of fences. Assistance with making fire breaks and firefighting when necessary. Work overtime when required. Assistance in milling and mixing licks and feeds. Working weekends when required. Assistance in laying water to drinking troughs. Assistance in moving livestock between camps.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: Farm AID II (X5 POSTS)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/14
- Salary: R163 680 per annum
- Centre: Nooitgedacht ADC
Requirements:
Grade 10 or equivalent. Skills and competencies include basic reading and writing skills, good interpersonal relations, ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to execute physical and manual tasks, ability to operate cleaning and gardening equipment and machinery, and basic equipment maintenance skills.
Duties:
Physical and manual execution of tasks such as fencing, maintenance of infrastructure and implements, garden maintenance, preparation of lands and haymaking. Assistance in loading, offloading and stacking feeds, fertilisers and hay. Assistance with maintenance of fences. Assistance with making fire breaks and firefighting when necessary. Work overtime when required. Assistance in milling and mixing licks and feeds. Working weekends when required. Assistance in laying water to drinking troughs. Assistance in moving livestock between camps.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: General Assistants (Food Service AID) (X2 Posts)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/15
- Salary: R138 486 per annum
- Centre: Amsterdam Environmental Centre
Requirements:
Grade 10 or ABET Level 4. Skills and competencies include basic skills in using kitchen equipment, knowledge of hygiene and food preparation as an added advantage, ability to read and follow recipes and quantities, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Duties:
Food preparation according to recipes. Food handling and distribution. Cleaning of utensils, equipment and residential facilities. Following prescribed safety measures and standards. Washing and ironing of linen.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: General Assistants (General Workers) (X2 POSTS)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/16
- Salary: R138 486 per annum
- Centre: Amsterdam Environmental Centre
Requirements:
Grade 10 or ABET Level 4. Skills and competencies include ability to work independently and as part of a team, knowledge of garden services, basic skills in the use of lawnmowers, plumbing and electrical skills as an added advantage, and mechanical skills in lawnmower repairs as an added advantage.
Duties:
Perform general worker related duties, repairs and maintenance, de-bushing of trees, slashing of grass and cutting of edges. Keep working areas clean and tidy. General cleaning of facilities and premises. Provide gardening services. Support environmental programmes and activities. Report faulty or defective equipment.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: CLEANER (X4 Posts)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/17
- Salary: R138 486 per annum
- Centre: Gert Sibande District Office (Corporate Services)
Requirements:
Grade 10/ABET or equivalent. Ability to perform physical manual tasks. Cleaning experience will be an added advantage. Skills and competencies include ability to operate cleaning machinery and equipment such as vacuum cleaners, polishers and pressure cleaners, basic knowledge of cleaning chemicals, equipment and ablution hygienic principles, good personal and organisational skills, communication and problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, and knowledge of Batho Pele Principles.
Duties:
Provision of routine cleaning services and other cleaning services as required in different areas within the working environment. Maintain cleaning materials and equipment. Inform supervisor of areas needing special attention. Perform cleaning duties in offices, hallways, toilets and other buildings within the District Office. Empty dustbins. Request cleaning materials when required. Report workplace defects to supervisor. Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
- Position: Groundsman (X1 Post)
- Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/04/18
- Salary: R138 486 per annum
- Centre: Gert Sibande District Office (Corporate Services)
Requirements:
Grade 10/ABET or equivalent. Skills and competencies include good interpersonal relations, knowledge of working equipment and materials, willingness to work extended hours, ability to read and write, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Duties:
Perform groundsman duties including gardening and maintenance services. Maintenance and cleaning of premises and surroundings. Planting seedlings, mowing lawns and cutting edges. Keeping parking areas, ditches and gutters clean and tidy. Empty refuse bins. Assistance with loading and off-loading deliveries. Perform general work delegated by supervisors.
Enquiries:
Ms. N.E Hlatshwayo at 072 032 7056 or Ms. K.L Mdlalose at 076 235 7030
APPLICATIONS
Applications must be submitted online through the link: erecruitment.mpg.gov.za. Submit a recent comprehensive CV, ID copy and contactable references with telephone numbers and email addresses.
Closing Date: 05 May 2026 at 16:00
Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Emailed applications will not be considered.
All shortlisted candidates will undertake two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise based on technical and generic requirements of the post, and an integrity assessment.
Shortlisted candidates must be available for assessments and interviews at a date and time determined by the Department. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
Successful candidates will be required to enter into an employment contract and performance agreement within three months of appointment. Failure to comply with application instructions will result in disqualification.
If no response is received within three months after the closing date, consider the application unsuccessful. Appointment is subject to positive security clearance results.
The Department is committed to providing equal opportunities and adheres to the affirmative action policy in line with the Employment Equity Act, the SMS Handbook and all relevant legislation applicable in the Public Service.