Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) Programme

Tasked with both skills transfer and cultural exchange, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers are passionate about development activities and fostering lasting friendships in their assigned workplaces and communities. When returning to Japan after dispatch periods ranging from a few months to two years, volunteers share their experiences with their own communities back home in Japan.

Soon after South Africa became a democracy in 1994, the JICA South Africa Office was established in 1997. From the onset, there was a high expectation from the Government of South Africa that volunteers would be dispatched, and in January 2001, the two countries signed the Exchange of Notes. After that, in July 2002, the first batch of five volunteers arrived in South Africa. Initially, volunteers worked in education and health. However, aligning with the development plans of the Government of South Africa, JICA is now dispatching volunteers with the focus to vocational schools, primary schools and science centres to support the strengthening of mathematics and science education and vocational training.

In 2012, JICA started dispatching volunteers to Lesotho and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). JICA South Africa Office is managing the JOCV Programme in these two countries as well.

JICA South Africa Office will continue to provide these three countries with volunteers based on the needs of communities.

• Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs)