Hiring Now | Cleaner (x2 Posts) | Middelburg, Eastern Cape | Permanent Government Position Available

The Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI), a directorate of the Department of Agriculture, is inviting applications for two permanent Cleaner positions based in Middelburg, Eastern Cape. These are government posts at salary level 02, open to candidates who hold an ABET qualification — no previous work experience is required. The successful candidates will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the GADI facility, including offices, corridors, boardrooms, kitchens, restrooms, and common areas. If you are reliable, hardworking, and looking to secure a permanent government position, apply without delay.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply today.

Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Cleaner
Reference Number	3/3/1/37/2026
Number of Posts	X2
Directorate	Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI)
Department	Department of Agriculture
Job Type	Permanent
Salary	R144 024 per annum (Level 02)
Location	Middelburg, Eastern Cape
EE Target	African Males, Coloured Males, Indians, Whites, and Persons with Disability
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

Please note: There are two posts available. A separate application must be submitted for each post you wish to be considered for, quoting reference number 3/3/1/37/2026.

Please note: This is a government position within the Department of Agriculture. All application procedures — including hand delivery and email submission with the correct reference number — must be followed precisely. Applications that do not comply with specified submission requirements may be disqualified.

This post has a specific EE target. Preference will be given to African Males, Coloured Males, Indians, Whites, and Persons with Disability in line with the Department’s Employment Equity plan. Candidates from these designated groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

What Does a Cleaner Do?

The Cleaner at GADI is responsible for maintaining a clean, hygienic, and presentable environment across the institute’s offices, boardrooms, corridors, kitchens, restrooms, and common areas. A well-maintained facility reflects the professionalism of the institution and ensures a safe, healthy working environment for all staff, researchers, and visitors.

This is an entry-level government position requiring no previous work experience. The minimum qualification is an ABET certificate, making this an accessible opportunity for candidates who are entering the job market or seeking to transition into stable, permanent government employment. What matters most is a reliable work ethic, attention to cleanliness standards, and the ability to perform physical cleaning tasks consistently and thoroughly throughout the working day.

The successful candidates will be responsible for a full range of cleaning duties — from dusting, sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming, and waxing floors and surfaces to maintaining restrooms, cleaning kitchens, managing waste, and caring for cleaning equipment and materials. This is a physically active role that requires stamina, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to keeping the GADI facility clean and well-maintained at all times.

Please note: Although no prior experience or job-related knowledge is formally required, candidates must be physically capable of performing cleaning duties throughout the working day, including lifting, bending, scrubbing, and operating cleaning machinery such as vacuum cleaners and floor polishers.

Key Responsibilities

Office & Common Area Cleaning

• Clean offices, corridors, elevators, and boardrooms to a consistently high standard, ensuring all areas are presentable and hygienic throughout the working day.
• Dust and wax office furniture including desks, shelves, cabinets, and meeting room tables as part of the daily and periodic cleaning schedule.
• Sweep, scrub, and wax floors in all assigned areas using appropriate cleaning products and techniques for each floor surface type.
• Vacuum and shampoo carpeted floors where applicable, ensuring deep cleaning is carried out at the required frequency.
• Clean walls, windows, and doors, removing marks, fingerprints, and dust to maintain a clean and professional appearance throughout the facility.
• Empty and clean dirt bins in all offices and common areas, ensuring waste is correctly disposed of and bins are returned clean and lined.
• Collect and remove waste papers and other refuse from all work areas, ensuring waste is deposited at the correct disposal points.
• Freshen office areas using approved air fresheners and deodorisers to maintain a pleasant working environment.

Kitchen Cleaning & Maintenance

• Clean general kitchens thoroughly, including sinks, basins, countertops, appliance surfaces, and all kitchen fixtures.
• Wash and keep stock of kitchen utensils, ensuring all items are cleaned after use and stored correctly in their designated locations.
• Monitor kitchen cleanliness throughout the day and address any spills, mess, or hygiene concerns promptly and without waiting to be directed.
• Ensure all kitchen cleaning is carried out in a manner that supports food safety and hygiene standards within the facility.

Restroom Cleaning & Hygiene

• Clean restrooms thoroughly and regularly, ensuring toilets, basins, floors, mirrors, and all surfaces meet the required hygiene standards at all times.
• Refill hand wash liquid soap, replace toilet paper, hand towels, and air fresheners as required throughout the day to ensure restrooms are always fully stocked.
• Empty and wash waste bins in all restrooms at the required frequency, ensuring bins are clean and correctly lined before being returned to service.
• Report any plumbing defects, damaged fixtures, or hygiene concerns in restrooms to the relevant supervisor without delay.

Cleaning Equipment & Materials Management

• Keep and maintain all cleaning machines and equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, mops, and buckets, in a clean and functional condition after each use.
• Report broken or faulty cleaning machines and equipment to the relevant supervisor immediately to ensure prompt repair or replacement.
• Request cleaning materials from the stores when supplies are running low, ensuring that sufficient stock is always available to carry out cleaning duties without interruption.
• Store all cleaning materials and equipment safely and correctly in the designated storage area at the end of each shift.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• ABET qualification — minimum requirement.
• Any additional qualification in cleaning services, hygiene, or facilities maintenance will be advantageous.

Experience

• No previous experience required — this is an entry-level government post open to first-time job seekers and candidates without prior formal employment.
• Any prior cleaning, housekeeping, or facilities maintenance experience will be beneficial but is not a prerequisite.

Job Related Knowledge

• No specific job-related knowledge is formally required for this post.
• A basic awareness of hygiene standards and cleaning products is beneficial.

Job Related Skills

• No specific job-related skills are formally required for this post.
• The ability to follow instructions, work consistently, and maintain cleaning standards throughout the working day is the most important practical requirement.

Personal Attributes

• Reliable and punctual — cleaning duties must be carried out consistently every day and the facility depends on staff who show up ready to work.
• Physically fit — the role involves sustained physical activity including lifting, bending, scrubbing, and operating cleaning equipment throughout each shift.
• Attention to detail — notices dirt, marks, and areas that need attention and addresses them proactively rather than waiting to be directed.
• Honest and trustworthy — works in offices and spaces that contain equipment and personal items belonging to colleagues and the institution.
• Team player — works alongside other cleaners and facility staff to ensure the entire GADI site is maintained to a consistent standard.

This post has a specific EE target: preference will be given to African Males, Coloured Males, Indians, Whites, and Persons with Disability. Candidates from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Core Values

Pride in Cleanliness

A clean, well-maintained facility is a direct reflection of the professionalism and standards of GADI as a national agricultural research institution. Every office dusted, every restroom restocked, and every corridor swept is a contribution to the quality of the environment in which researchers, staff, and visitors work. The Cleaner who takes genuine pride in the standard of their work makes a visible and valued difference every single day.

Reliability & Consistency

Cleaning is not a once-off task — it is a continuous responsibility that must be carried out to the same standard, shift after shift. GADI depends on Cleaners who show up, follow their schedule, and maintain high standards without needing constant supervision. Consistency is what separates a good cleaner from an exceptional one.

Responsibility & Reporting

Cleaning staff are often the first to notice a problem — a broken bin, a faulty vacuum cleaner, a plumbing defect, or a hygiene concern. Taking responsibility for reporting these issues promptly, rather than ignoring them or waiting for someone else to act, is an important part of this role and a genuine contribution to the efficient operation of the facility.

Honesty & Integrity

Cleaners work throughout the facility, often in areas where colleagues’ personal belongings and institutional assets are present. GADI expects absolute honesty and trustworthiness from every member of the cleaning team — in handling equipment, in accessing workspaces, and in all interactions with staff and management.

People at the Heart

The Department of Agriculture, like Tsebo and other leading employers, understands that the people who maintain its facilities are as essential to its mission as those who conduct research and manage programmes. GADI values its support staff and expects every team member — at every level — to be treated with dignity and respect.

Career Growth Opportunities

A permanent government cleaning position at GADI provides a stable foundation for a long-term career in the public service:

• Cleaner → Senior Cleaner / Cleaning Supervisor
• Cleaning Supervisor → Facilities Coordinator / Admin Support
• Facilities Coordinator → Facilities Officer
• Facilities Officer → Assistant Director: Facilities Management

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there really two permanent government cleaning posts available at GADI? Yes. This advertisement covers two permanent Cleaner posts (x2) at GADI in Middelburg, Eastern Cape. Both posts share the same reference number, salary, and requirements. Candidates interested in being considered for these posts should submit their application quoting reference number 3/3/1/37/2026.

What qualification do I need to apply for this Cleaner post? The minimum qualification required is an ABET certificate. No higher qualification is required and no previous work experience is needed. This is one of the most accessible entry points into permanent government employment and is suitable for candidates who are entering the job market for the first time.

What is the salary for this government Cleaner post? The position is remunerated at R144 024 per annum (salary level 02) in terms of the applicable government salary scale. This is a structured government salary and is not negotiable. It may be supplemented by applicable government employee benefits.

Who is the EE target for this post? The EE target for this post is African Males, Coloured Males, Indians, Whites, and Persons with Disability. Preference will be given to candidates from these groups during the selection process in line with the Department’s Employment Equity plan.

How do I apply for this position? Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002, or by email to Crecruit37@nda.gov.za. Quote reference number 3/3/1/37/2026 in all correspondence and ensure all required supporting documentation is included with your application.

Who do I contact for enquiries, and is there a closing date? Direct all enquiries to Mr Thabo Molekwa on Tel: (049) 802 6633. No formal closing date is specified in the available post information. Government vacancies typically close quickly — candidates are strongly advised to apply immediately and to contact Mr Molekwa to confirm the current application deadline.

How to Apply

Ready to apply for one of two permanent government Cleaner positions at GADI in Middelburg? Applications are open now. Quote reference number 3/3/1/37/2026 in all correspondence.

👉 Email: Crecruit37@nda.gov.za

🏢 Hand Delivery (office hours only): 20 Steve Biko Street Agriculture Place Arcadia, Pretoria 0002

📞 Mr Thabo Molekwa – Tel: (049) 802 6633

Quote reference number 3/3/1/37/2026 on all correspondence and application submissions.

Applications submitted by hand must be delivered during office hours only. Applications received outside of office hours will not be accepted.

This post has a specific EE target: African Males, Coloured Males, Indians, Whites, and Persons with Disability. Candidates from these groups are encouraged to apply.

Late applications will not be considered. Government vacancies close quickly — apply immediately.

Apply early — government vacancies close quickly.

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