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Peace Corps to Phase Out Country Program in South Africa by 2027
The Peace Corps has announced that the agency will phase out and close its country program in South Africa by 2027. Volunteers currently serving in South Africa will be able to complete their service without interruption.
In May, the Peace Corps paused an incoming volunteer cohort for South Africa, and those individuals were given an opportunity to serve with the Peace Corps in another country. No additional cohorts will serve in South Africa prior to the program’s 2027 closure.
The Peace Corps is working closely with the administration, the government of South Africa and community partners to phase out the program. South Africa will remain a medical and safety and security hub for the Peace Corps to support volunteer operations in the region with a limited number of staff.
The Peace Corps is grateful to the government and people of South Africa for decades of partnership and friendship. Since the Peace Corps opened its country program in 1997, over 1,700 Volunteers have served in South Africa in the Health and Education sectors.
About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends passionate and talented American volunteers abroad to collaborate with community members on projects that advance both American and local priorities. Volunteers build relationships, model democratic values and make a lasting impact in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development. The Peace Corps equips volunteers with valuable leadership, management and language skills that make them assets to the U.S. workforce and strengthen America’s economic competitiveness at home and abroad. Since 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 144 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.