Government youth portal

SA Youth login: how to sign in to sayouth.mobi

Use your ID number and password to access the official SA Youth platform — free, on any network, with no data needed on Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom or Virgin Mobile.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open SA Youth login
Official URL
sayouth.mobi/Home/Login
Data-free URL
sayouth.datafree.co
Cost
Free
Username
Your 13-digit SA ID
Support
0800 72 72 72
Run by
Harambee + Presidency

Who can log in

  • Anyone who has already registered on SA Youth (sayouth.mobi)
  • South African ID holders aged 18–34 (some programmes accept up to age 35)
  • Refugee ID holders and valid SA work-permit holders
  • Previously registered Harambee or Tshepo 1 Million users — log in here, don't re-register

What you need to log in

  • Your 13-digit South African ID number (this is your username)
  • The password you chose when you registered
  • Access to your registered cell number — if you need an OTP

Step by step

  1. Open the official login page

    Go to sayouth.mobi/Home/Login. The URL will automatically change to auth.sayouth.mobi — this is the identity server and is completely safe.
    Tip: On Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom or Virgin Mobile, use sayouth.datafree.co instead — it's zero-rated, so no data is used.

  2. Enter your username

    Type your 13-digit South African ID number (or your refugee number) into the Username field. Don't use spaces.

  3. Enter your password

    Type the password you set when you registered. Passwords are case-sensitive.

  4. Tap the green Login button

    You'll land on your dashboard, which shows opportunities matched to your postal code, your profile completion bar, and the My Applications tab.

  5. If it's your first time logging in: complete your profile

    Tap the profile icon and fill in qualifications, work experience, languages and preferences. Profiles below 80% complete get fewer matches — employers can filter by completion level.
    Tip: Add a profile photo. Profiles with photos are roughly twice as likely to be shortlisted.

Forgot your password? Reset it in 60 seconds

On the login page, tap "I forgot my username / password". SA Youth gives you three reset routes:

  • SMS — enter your registered cell number; you'll get a unique reset link (not a temporary password — tap the link and create a new password).
  • Email — enter your registered email; check spam if it doesn't arrive within 5 minutes.
  • Security question — answer the question you set at registration.

Your new password needs at least 8 characters and one number.

Common SA Youth login problems and fixes

Most login issues fall into one of these buckets. Try the fix below before contacting support.

OTP / SMS not arriving
Wait 2–3 minutes (Vodacom and MTN gateways can lag), check signal, and confirm the number on file is still active. If still nothing, try the email route or call 0800 72 72 72.
"Too many attempts" / account locked
The system unlocks automatically after about 30 minutes. Don't keep guessing — reset your password instead.
Page won't load
Even on data-free networks, your SIM needs ~R5 of data balance to negotiate the zero-rated connection. Load airtime, then retry. Or use Wi-Fi.
Stuck on auth.sayouth.mobi
Clear browser cache (Chrome → 3 dots → Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data) or open in Incognito/Private mode.
Email reset link missing
Check Spam/Junk, especially on Gmail and Yahoo. Whitelist anything from @sayouth.org.za. Reset links expire after 24 hours.

Is there an SA Youth app?

No — there is no official SA Youth app on Google Play or the App Store. sayouth.mobi is a mobile-optimised website. Any APK or app on a third-party store claiming to be SA Youth is unofficial and may steal your credentials.

For an app-like experience: open sayouth.mobi in Chrome → tap the 3 dots → Add to Home Screen. The icon will sit on your home screen just like an app.

Data-free access: sayouth.datafree.co

SA Youth is zero-rated on the major SA networks, meaning you can browse and apply without using your data. Use sayouth.datafree.co to guarantee the zero-rated route.

Supported networks: Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom Mobile, Virgin Mobile.

Not supported: Rain, most MVNOs, and while roaming. On unsupported networks the page will still work, but it will use your data.

Alternatives if the site is down

  • WhatsApp Coachmee chatbot — save 060 011 0110 and send 'Hi'. You can search and apply for opportunities entirely through chat.
  • Phone support — 0800 72 72 72 (toll-free), Monday to Friday, 09:00–16:30.
  • Email — support@sayouth.org.za
  • Facebook Messenger — message @SAYouth.mobi.

Watch out for SA Youth scams

SA Youth is 100% free. You will never be asked to pay for registration, applications, training materials, uniforms, or to "secure" a placement.

Common scams to ignore and report:

  • WhatsApp messages offering jobs in exchange for a "registration fee"
  • Emails from @gmail.com addresses claiming to be from SA Youth (real emails come from @sayouth.org.za or @harambee.co.za)
  • Fake login pages on URLs like sayouht.mobi, sayouth-login.com, or sayouthmobi.co.za — always bookmark the real URL
  • Anyone asking for your SA Youth password

Report scams to 0800 72 72 72.

Frequently asked questions

What is my SA Youth username?
Your username is your 13-digit South African ID number. If you registered with a refugee ID or work-permit number, use that. Some users registered via Harambee using an email address — try that if your ID doesn't work.
Is SA Youth login free?
Yes. SA Youth is run by Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI). Registration, login, and applications are all free. On Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Virgin Mobile the site is also zero-rated, so no data is used.
Why does the URL change to auth.sayouth.mobi when I log in?
That's the SA Youth identity server (the system that handles passwords and security). It's the official site — the redirect is normal and safe.
I'm not receiving the OTP — what should I do?
Wait 2–3 minutes for the SMS to arrive, then check your signal. If your registered cell number is no longer active, you can't reset by SMS — try the email route or call 0800 72 72 72 with your ID number ready.
I've changed my phone number. How do I update it?
You can't update your cell number from inside your profile if you can't log in. Call 0800 72 72 72 or WhatsApp 060 011 0110 with your full name, ID number, old number, and new number. They'll verify and update it manually within a few working days.
How long does SA Youth account verification take?
Instant for valid SA IDs — the system checks your ID number against Home Affairs records during registration. Manual corrections (e.g. updating a wrong ID) take 3–10 working days through support.
Can foreigners log in to SA Youth?
Refugee ID holders and people with a valid South African work permit can register and log in. Tourists and visitors cannot. There is no path for foreign passport holders without an SA work permit.
Where is the SA Youth app?
There is no official app. sayouth.mobi is a mobile website that works like an app — add it to your home screen from Chrome's menu. Any 'SA Youth' app on third-party APK sites is unofficial.

Related guides

How to register on SA Youth

Step-by-step registration on sayouth.mobi — takes about 4 minutes.

SA Youth not working? Common fixes

OTP problems, locked accounts, datafree issues — every fix in one place.

Z83 form 2026

How to complete the official government job application form correctly.

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.