The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has officially opened applications for the Tourism Graduate Development Programme (TGDP) 2026.
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This programme aims to provide unemployed tourism graduates and tourism students requiring in-service training with 24 months of structured workplace exposure in municipalities, tourism agencies and wildlife reserves across KwaZulu-Natal.
Participants will gain practical work experience, professional mentorship and a monthly stipend, helping them transition from academic qualifications into real employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.
For many young people struggling to enter the tourism industry, this programme could be the stepping stone that launches a professional career.
Quick Overview
- Programme Name: Tourism Graduate Development Programme (TGDP) 2026
- Department: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA)
- Programme Duration: 24 months
- Fields of Study: Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism, Ecotourism Management
- Total Opportunities: 62 Internship placements & 20 In-Service Training placements
- Stipend: Monthly stipend will be paid to successful participants
- Closing Date: 25 March 2026
- Application Email: TGDP@kznedtea.gov.za
Programme Placement Areas and Reference Numbers
Applicants must state the reference number and placement area they are applying for when submitting their application.
Below are the official host employers and reference numbers listed in the advert.
Amajuba District Municipality Opportunities
Host employers include:
- Emadlangeni Municipality — Reference: TGDP/2026/EMAD
- Newcastle Municipality — Reference: TGDP/2026/NEW
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Chelmsford) — Reference: TGDP/2026/CHELM
Fields include:
- Tourism Management
- Ecotourism Management
- Hospitality Management
eThekwini Metro and Durban Tourism Opportunities
Available placements include:
- eThekwini Metro (Durban Tourism) — Reference: TGDP/2026/METRO
- Msinsi Holdings (Nagle Dam) — Reference: TGDP/2026/NAG
- UShaka Marine World — Reference: TGDP/2026/USHAKA
These placements provide direct exposure to some of the most visited tourism destinations in KwaZulu-Natal.
Harry Gwala District Municipality Opportunities
Placements available at:
- Harry Gwala Development Agency — TGDP/2026/HGDA
- Greater Kokstad Municipality — TGDP/2026/GKLM
- Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality — TGDP/2026/NDZ
- Johannes Phumani Phungula Municipality — TGDP/2026/JPPM
- uMzimkhulu Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMZIM
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Lotheni) — TGDP/2026/LOTH
iLembe District Municipality Opportunities
Placements available at:
- iLembe Enterprise — TGDP/2026/ILEM
- KwaDukuza Municipality — TGDP/2026/KWAD
- Mandeni Municipality — TGDP/2026/MAND
- Maphumulo Municipality — TGDP/2026/MAPH
- Ndwedwe Municipality — TGDP/2026/NDWE
- Msinsi Holdings (Hazelmere Dam) — TGDP/2026/HAZE
King Cetshwayo District Municipality Opportunities
Available placements include:
- King Cetshwayo District Municipality — TGDP/2026/KCDM
- uMhlathuze Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMHL
- Mthonjaneni Municipality — TGDP/2026/MTHO
- Nkandla Municipality — TGDP/2026/NKAN
- uMfolozi Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMFO
- uMlalazi Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMLA
Ugu District Municipality Opportunities
- South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise — TGDP/2026/SCTIE
- uMuziwabantu Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMUZ
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Oribi Gorge) — TGDP/2026/ORIBI
uMgungundlovu District Municipality Opportunities
Placements available at:
- Impendle Municipality — TGDP/2026/IMPE
- Mkhambathini Municipality — TGDP/2026/MKHA
- Mpofana Municipality — TGDP/2026/MPOF
- Richmond Municipality — TGDP/2026/RICH
- uMshwathi Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMSH
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife:
- Wagendrift — TGDP/2026/WAGE
- Midmar — TGDP/2026/MIDM
- Central Reservations — TGDP/2026/QEP
- Rhino Club — TGDP/2026/RHIN
- Travel Trade — TGDP/2026/TRAV
Msinsi Holdings:
- Albert Falls — TGDP/2026/ALBE
- Bon Accord — TGDP/2026/BONA
uMkhanyakude District Municipality Opportunities
- Umhlosinga Development Agency — TGDP/2026/UMDA
- Big 5 Hlabisa Municipality — TGDP/2026/BIG5
- Mtubatuba Municipality — TGDP/2026/MTUB
- uMhlabuyalingana Municipality — TGDP/2026/BUYA
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife:
- Hilltop — TGDP/2026/HILL
- Mpila Camp — TGDP/2026/MPIL
uMzinyathi District Municipality Opportunities
- Endumeni Municipality — TGDP/2026/ENDUM
- Nquthu Municipality — TGDP/2026/NQUT
- uMvoti Municipality — TGDP/2026/UMVOT
uThukela District Municipality Opportunities
- uThukela Economic Development Agency — TGDP/2026/UEDA
- Alfred Duma Municipality — TGDP/2026/ADLM
- Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality — TGDP/2026/ILLM
- Okhahlamba Municipality — TGDP/2026/OKHA
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife placements include:
- Didima — TGDP/2026/DID
- Giants Castle — TGDP/2026/GIAN
- Royal Natal Mahai — TGDP/2026/MAHAI
- Royal Natal Thendele — TGDP/2026/THEN
Zululand District Municipality Opportunities
- Zululand District Municipality — TGDP/2026/ZDM
- eDumbe Municipality — TGDP/2026/EDUM
- Nongoma Municipality — TGDP/2026/NONG
- Ulundi Municipality — TGDP/2026/ULUN
- uPhongolo Municipality — TGDP/2026/UPHON
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ntshondwe / Ithala Game Reserve) — TGDP/2026/NTSHO
Application Addresses
Applicants can submit applications directly to host employer offices or EDTEA district offices.
Below are some official submission addresses from the advert.
Amajuba District Municipality
Unit B9356 Amajuba Building
Section 1 Madadeni
Emadlangeni Municipality
34 Voor Street
Utrecht
2980
Newcastle Municipality
37 Murchison Street
Newcastle
Durban Tourism (eThekwini Metro)
North Beach Tourism Office
2 KE Masinga Road
North Beach
Durban
Msinsi Holdings
Nagle Dam
Lot 183 Cato Ridge Rural
3681
Ushaka Marine World
1 King Shaka Avenue
Point
Durban
4001
EDTEA District Office Application Addresses
Applicants may also submit applications to EDTEA district offices.
EDTEA Tourism Office
Calder House
217 Burger Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201
eThekwini District Office
Marine Building
8th Floor
22 Dorothy Nyembe Street
Durban
Ugu District Office
46 Bisset Street
Port Shepstone
Harry Gwala District Office
139a Margaret Street
Trigon Place
Ixopo
Amajuba District Office
43 Harding Street
Newcastle
Zululand District Office
2nd Floor Legislature Building
King Dinuzulu Highway
Ulundi
Requirements for Tourism Graduates
Applicants must have:
A three-year Degree or National Diploma in:
- Tourism Management
- Hospitality Management
- Travel and Tourism
- Ecotourism Management
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Matric Certificate
- Qualification and academic transcript
- Copy of South African ID
- Proof of residence from municipality or traditional authority
Affidavits will not be accepted as proof of residence.
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
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- Daily Career Score Tracker
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Edupstairs Advice
If you are applying for this programme:
Apply to placements near your residential area
Clearly state the reference number on your application
Prepare a professional CV
Research the tourism organisation you are applying to
Workplace exposure in tourism can open doors in both government tourism departments and private tourism businesses.
Career Growth Path After the Programme
After completing the TGDP programme, participants may pursue careers such as:
Tourism Officer
Destination Marketing Officer
Hotel Operations Manager
Tourism Development Specialist
Eco-tourism Guide
Wildlife Tourism Officer
Tourism Project Manager
Many tourism professionals begin their careers through internship programmes like TGDP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
Unemployed tourism graduates or students needing in-service training.
How long is the programme?
24 months.
Will participants be paid?
Yes, a monthly stipend will be provided.
When is the closing date?
25 March 2026.
How can applications be submitted?
Through host employer offices, EDTEA offices or email.
You can also:
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