Cannabiz Africa picked up on the ‘news’ by the Services Sector Training Authority that it was launching a course for cannabis dispensary professionals, hailing it as a major development in the commercialization of cannabis.
But in fact, as several readers worked out, this SSETA ‘development’ is actually a major development in cannabis scamming in South Africa.
Cannabiz Africa has removed the story, based on the ‘news release’ issued here.
The release called for applications for the dispensary professionals to enrol ‘soon’ to get training and nationally-recognized certification, and provided a link for Dischem bursaries for the course.
However, this link takes one to a general ‘opportunities’ Dischem splash page that has nothing to do with cannabis. The contact us link leads to a dead end.
The ‘media release’ was well-timed as it coincides with the slow-burn release of the Department of Trade and Industry’s draft cannabis commercialization policy, giving it a veneer of legitimacy.
“It’s bizarre” says one Cannabiz Africa reader, “as it’s not clear how they’re taking money off people at this stage, but they’re also offering courses in the mining and general career advancement sectors on the sseta.co.za site, which in itself does not mention cannabis” .
The SSETA scam follows the Dr Green and Professor Herb attempt to set up a dodgy medical cannabis investment and supply chain in South Africa, which came apart in May 2025 when their marketing effort collapsed.
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