Nkomazi Local Municipality & DFFE Opens EPWP Youth Internships for 2026

Nkomazi Local Municipality has officially released an external advert announcing Youth Graduate Internships in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

And what makes this opportunity powerful is that it is aimed at young people who are currently unemployed, including those who are classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). That means this programme was created for people who are ready to work—but simply need a real chance.

Quick Overview

Programme Name: Nkomazi Local Municipality & DFFE Youth Graduate Internships (EPWP)
Programme Type: Youth empowerment + work exposure (EPWP initiative)
Target Group: Youth aged 18–35 (unemployed / underemployed)
Location: Within the four regions of Nkomazi Local Municipality
Closing Date: 04 February 2026 @ 16h00
Stipend Options (Daily):

Matric (Grade 12): R165.00 per day
Diploma/Degree (Environmental-related): R271.04 per day
How to Apply: Submit application + CV to Director: Corporate Services, Private Bag X101, Malalane, 1320
Disability Friendly: Yes — applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Available Opportunities (What You Can Apply For)

According to the advert, there are two categories you can apply under:

1) Matric / Grade 12 Opportunity (40 Positions)

If you have Grade 12, you can apply even if you have no further qualification.

Minimum daily stipend: R165.00 per day

This is great for:

school leavers
unemployed youth who need income and experience
candidates trying to build a CV for future opportunities

2) Diploma / Degree Internship (20 Positions)

This is aimed at youth who studied in environmental-related qualifications such as:

Environmental Sciences
Agriculture
Development Studies
any other environmental-related qualification

Minimum daily stipend: R271.04 per day

This is great for:

graduates who need practical exposure
young professionals who are underemployed
candidates who want a career in biodiversity/environmental work

Where the Internship Will Take Place

The advert states:
Within the four regions of the Municipality

That means applicants should expect placement within Nkomazi Local Municipality’s jurisdiction and communities.

If you live in the area, this is a big advantage because you won’t necessarily need to relocate far, and you may be deployed near your region depending on project needs.

Requirements (Who Qualifies)

To apply, you must meet the following:

Basic Requirements

Must be a South African citizen
Must be between 18 and 35 years old
Must be unemployed or underemployed
Must have the qualification relevant to the category you apply for
Must be innovative, dynamic and creative
Must show commitment to career development in the environmental / biodiversity sector
People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Even if you feel nervous, don’t disqualify yourself early. If you meet the age requirement and have the correct qualification, apply.

What Documents Should You Prepare (Strong Application Checklist)

Even though the advert is short, municipal applications normally require a professional and complete pack.

Here’s what we recommend submitting:

Must-Have Documents

Updated CV
Certified copy of ID
Certified copy of Matric certificate
Certified copy of Diploma/Degree certificate (if applicable)
Academic transcript (highly recommended)
Proof of residence (optional but helpful)

Optional but Powerful

Short motivational letter (1 page)
Any volunteer/community work proof
Reference letters (if you have)

Tip: Your documents must be neat, readable, and combined in the right order.

How to Apply

Here is the official instruction from the advert:

Applications and CVs to be directed to:
Director: Corporate Services
Private Bag X101
Malalane
1320

Step-by-step to avoid mistakes:

Write or print a clean CV.
Attach certified copies of your supporting documents.
Place everything in one envelope (if applying physically).
Deliver or send it properly to the correct address.
Do it early—don’t wait for the last day.

Closing date and time: 04 February 2026 @ 16h00
No late applications should be assumed to be accepted.

If you submit after 16h00, your application may be rejected even if you qualify.

How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare

At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.

Recommended Tools:

Edupstairs Advice (Read This Before You Apply)

Let me give you honest advice, the kind that helps you win:

1) Don’t submit a “weak CV”

Municipality applications get many entries. A basic CV with no structure gets ignored.

Make sure your CV includes:

personal details
education (with year)
skills
experience (even volunteer work counts)
references

2) Apply for the right category

If you have only Matric, don’t apply under the Diploma/Degree category.

If you have a Diploma/Degree, apply under that one because the stipend is higher and the role may match your qualification.

3) Certification matters

Ensure your copies are certified properly. Uncertified documents often lead to disqualification.

4) Show interest in environmental work

Even if you studied Development Studies or Agriculture, explain how it connects to the environment.

This advert is clearly focused on:
environmental management + biodiversity + green development

5) Apply early

Applying early helps you avoid:

queues
transport issues
document printing stress
last-minute mistakes

Career Growth Path After This Opportunity

This internship can open doors into multiple career pathways, depending on what work you do and what skills you build.

After EPWP Matric Category, you can progress into:

EPWP Supervisor roles (in future projects)
General Worker roles in municipalities
Admin support roles
Community development work
Further studies or learnerships (SETA funded)

After Environmental Diploma/Degree Category, you can progress into:

Environmental Officer Assistant roles
Biodiversity Monitor / Conservation Assistant
Waste Management Officer (entry level)
Environmental Compliance trainee roles
Conservation NGOs and private nature reserve work
Government internships (DFFE, SANParks, provincial departments)

If you use the internship wisely, you can turn it into a long-term career in the green economy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Can I apply if I only have Matric?

Yes. The advert includes Grade 12 (40 unemployed) opportunities.

2) Can I apply if I’m 36 years old?

Unfortunately no. The advert clearly states applicants must be 18 to 35.

3) Is this internship only for graduates?

No. It includes both Matric and Diploma/Degree categories.

4) What stipend will I get?

It depends on your category:

Matric: R165.00 per day
Diploma/Degree: R271.04 per day

5) Do I need experience?

The advert focuses on unemployed youth and skills development, so experience is not presented as a requirement.

6) Can people with disabilities apply?

Yes. The advert says people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

7) Where do I submit my application?

To: Director: Corporate Services, Private Bag X101, Malalane, 1320

8) Is this opportunity legitimate?

It appears to be an official municipal external advert, but always verify by checking Nkomazi Local Municipality official communication channels before submitting personal documents.

CLOSING DATE: 04 FEBRUARY 2026

You can also:

Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)

No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.

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Disclaimers

Edupstairs is not the employer. We share opportunities for informational purposes to help young people access real openings.
Always verify the advert through official Nkomazi Local Municipality platforms before applying.
Do not pay anyone claiming they can “secure” you a placement—EPWP applications are free.
Closing dates may change at the employer’s discretion.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY

Edupstairs TrustScore™

100 /100

Verified / Low Risk This is an evidence-based risk assessment to help applicants verify opportunities.

OrganisationNkomazi Local Municipality

SourceOfficial social media (verified)

Open source link

Apply viaIn-person / Walk-in

ReferenceKLM_INTERNS2026

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