In an inspiring effort to tackle youth unemployment and promote skills development, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in collaboration with the Gamagara Local Municipality, has launched an Unemployed Graduate Internship Programme aimed at providing young South African graduates with practical work experience in critical environmental sectors.
This groundbreaking internship initiative aligns with South Africa’s broader national strategy to uplift communities through education, training, and employment. The partnership between DFFE and the Gamagara Local Municipality emphasizes the value of local government collaboration in driving sustainable development and equipping youth with relevant, on-the-job experience.
Programme Objectives
The primary goal of the internship programme is to:
- Empower unemployed graduates by bridging the gap between academic qualifications and the labour market.
- Enhance capacity building in environmental conservation, sustainable development, local governance, and public sector administration.
- Provide valuable hands-on experience across key departments, including forestry, waste management, biodiversity, marine conservation, and environmental policy.
This initiative also aims to contribute to national efforts toward a greener, more sustainable economy, while promoting inclusive employment practices that target underrepresented groups, especially youth and women.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for this internship programme, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be unemployed graduates aged between 18 and 35.
- Have completed a National Diploma or Degree in a field relevant to DFFE’s focus areas.
- Have no prior work experience in the public sector internship space.
Fields of Internship:
Internship placements cover a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Horticulture
- Ecologist
- Botany
- Nature Conservation and Forestry
- Natural Sciences and Biological Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
Interns will be placed within municipal departments and DFFE satellite offices based in the Northern Cape, particularly in areas served by the Gamagara Local Municipality.
Duration and Benefits:
The internship programme typically runs for 12 months. Interns receive a monthly stipend in accordance with the DFFE’s internship remuneration policy. While the stipend may vary, it ensures that participants can focus on their professional growth without financial strain.
Interns will benefit from:
- Mentorship and professional development support.
- Work readiness training.
- Exposure to real-world challenges in environmental management.
- Enhanced employment prospects upon completion.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted by the advertised closing date. Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copies of ID and qualifications
- A cover letter clearly stating the preferred field of internship
Submit your CV, Certified Copies of Qualifications and ID at Gamagara Local Municipality at Environmental Office, P.O. BOX 1001, KATHU 8446, or hand-delivered at CNR Hendrick Van Eck & Frikkie Meyer Road at Municipal Reception, a box will be placed at reception.
DOWNLOAD THE DFFE UNEMPLOYED GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME ADVERT HERE
Why This Matters
This internship programme is more than just a job placement—it’s a pathway to economic freedom, professional growth, and environmental stewardship. Through strategic partnerships like this one, the DFFE and local municipalities are investing in a new generation of leaders who will shape South Africa’s environmental and socio-economic future.
CLOSING DATE: 11 JULY 2025
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