The deadline for SAQA registration for professional hunter training has been extended from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025. It has been renewed multiple times before, but a new unit standard has been created, which might come into effect. It is uncertain whether this unit standard and the new training (yet to be developed) will lead to a qualification (managed by Higher Education) or a trade (managed by the Department of Labour).
When such a qualification expires, arrangements are usually made to retain the old qualification by recognition of prior learning (RPL).
We recommend that members with certificates, issued by the director of a professional hunting school (even if it was over 30 years ago), who want to keep their existing/old qualifications as professional hunters, register voluntarily for prior learning recognition for professional hunters offered by Phasa. Phasa has been registered with SAQA as the regulatory industry body since 2015. This has nothing to do with Phasa’s role as the association for professional hunters. Only one organisation can be registered as an industry body.
Registration for recognition of prior learning through Phasa offers all professional hunters the opportunity to convert their certificates obtained for “former training” into an NQF level 4 National Certificate which is currently certified and issued by Cathseta (SAQA 58930 Professional Hunting – a new unit standard for a qualification).
Members must register for recognition of prior learning before 30 June 2025, when the existing unit standard expires. (The existing unit standard could also be renewed before 30 June 2025, as has been done on various occasions before).
Due to the uncertainty regarding many aspects, SA Hunters advises professional hunters to do the following:
Register with Phasa for recognition of prior learning.
If SAQA renews the old qualification, it places no obligation on members. If the new qualification gets registered, members would be registered already for the conversion through recognition of prior learning to the new qualification or trade, whichever it may be.
Members who have obtained professional hunter status through SA Hunters do not need to apply for Phasa membership to register for recognition of prior learning as described above. The process is available to all professional hunters, not just Phasa members. The cost of the “RPL” process is not yet available.
We recommend that professional hunters complete step 1 below.
Step 1: Registration
- Download the registration form here.
- Complete the registration form fully (It must be in PDF).
- Attach a certified copy of your identity document. Ensure the date stamp is visible. For the new ID card, both the front and back are required. (It must be a PDF.)
- Attach a certified copy of your highest school qualification or National Senior Certificate (Matric certificate). Ensure the date stamp is visible. (It must be in PDF.)
- If you no longer have the above certificate, an affidavit from the SAPD is also acceptable. For an example, click here. (It must be in PDF).
- Download the “Learner Signature” document. Click here. Complete in black ink. (This document must be in a JPEG format).
- Name and surname
- Signature
- Initial
- Attach a certified copy of your professional hunting school certificate and ensure the date stamp is visible. (This must be in PDF.)
- Attach a certified copy of your provincial professional hunter licence and ensure the date stamp is visible. (This must be in PDF.)
- Email all the above documents to training@phasa.co.za Also send a copy to boetiek@sahunt.co.za for SA Hunters to assist you with follow-up registration.
Step 2: Portfolio of Evidence
- The process will only be completed once the registration described above and the new SAQA unit standard have been registered. The required documentation will only be sent out after the SAQA unit standard is registered.
- Submit a complete Portfolio of Evidence to prove sufficient experience to receive the new qualification. This process will only begin from a date to be announced after the new qualification has been registered via SAQA’s unit standard and when it is known whether the Department of Higher Education or Labour will take responsibility for it.
- For now, you only need to complete the first step, namely, to register with Phasa to recognise prior learning.
