Internships | Paid and Graduate Opportunities in South Africa

Internships are one of the best ways to gain work experience, build skills, and transition into full-time employment. In South Africa, internships are available in both the private and public sectors, offering young professionals the chance to grow in real-world settings while earning a stipend or entry-level salary.

Many companies offer formal graduate programs, while others provide 6- to 24-month internships for students, TVET college graduates, and recent university alumni. Internships are available in fields like administration, IT, finance, HR, healthcare, law, and engineering.

Kickstart Your Career with Internships in South Africa

Internship Fields in High Demand

Some of the most popular and frequently advertised internship areas include:

• Accounting and Finance Internships
• Information Technology and Software Development
• Human Resources and Office Administration
• Marketing, Media, and Graphic Design
• Engineering and Technical Learnerships
• Healthcare and Social Work Placements
• Legal Internships and Compliance Roles
• Environmental Science and Research Internships

Programs are offered by companies such as Transnet, Eskom, SARS, Capitec, MTN, Standard Bank, Discovery, and various government departments.

Why Apply for Internships

Internships provide benefits beyond the monthly stipend:

• Gain hands-on industry experience
• Build your CV and references
• Get mentored by professionals
• Improve your employment prospects
• Access to permanent job opportunities after internship period

Internships often lead to internal hiring or referrals to partner companies, making them a strategic career entry point.

Where Internships Are Offered

You can find internship placements across South Africa, including:

• Gauteng – Johannesburg and Pretoria (corporate and government)
• Western Cape – Cape Town (media, tech, and tourism-related fields)
• KwaZulu-Natal – Durban and Pietermaritzburg (public and logistics sectors)
• Eastern Cape, North West, and Free State – TVET-linked placements and municipal internships

Minimum Requirements for Internships

Each internship has its own criteria, but general requirements include:

• South African citizenship and valid ID
• Completed Grade 12 or post-matric qualification
• Diploma, degree, or N6 certificate (depending on field)
• Unemployed status and between 18–35 years old (for many programs)
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn

TVET graduates may need to complete in-service training hours to qualify for final certification.

Apply Now for Internship Opportunities

Explore verified internship listings below and apply today. Whether you’re seeking hands-on work experience, industry exposure, or a foot in the door, internships in South Africa offer the ideal path to build a future-ready career.