Sorry Nyathi if I seemed critical - it was not the intention.
The cadets get a huge opportunity. One that all of us would have grabbed if we were in the same boat. But, they do have to work to make a success of it. SAX does not lower its standards to accommodate cadets. It is either shape up or ship out - and a few have been sent packing.
The cadets also have to take a lot of flak at work. Can you imagine the frustration of a captain who flies with a 3500hr FO the one day and a 350hr cadet the next. There is no substitute for experience. These cadets still have to gain theirs, but most/some realise their fortune and actually perform above expectation.
Currently the system counts against self-starters like yourself, but the wheel does turn and soon the airlines will be looking for experience in their FO pools so that they can groom their future captains. SAX has already started this process. The last cut-off for interviews was 2000hrs. With larger a/c arriving next year, a pool of senior FO's have to be available to crew these and to be ready to upgrade when required. Cadets will never be captains in SAX, and the airline will always need non-cadet FO's.
In short, the shotgun approach to CV distribution should be followed, frequently. Be a nuisance at the airlines you are interested in. In this industry, an oversupply of pilots turn into a shortage in an instant. Be ready.
And good luck. We all went through that long wait for the first airline job.