South African graduates looking to gain real workplace experience in human resources, organisational development, biodiversity institutions, and public sector administration now have a valuable opportunity to launch their careers through the SANParks CATHSSETA Internship Programme 2026.

This 12-month internship programme offers unemployed graduates practical exposure within South African National Parks (SANParks) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), based at Groenkloof National Park Head Office in Pretoria. Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend ranging from R6 335.69 to R9 088.37, depending on their qualification level.

If you recently completed a National Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, or Honours Degree and are struggling to get workplace experience — this programme is specifically designed to bridge that gap.

Quick Overview

Programme: SANParks CATHSSETA Internship Programme 2026
Host Institutions: SANParks & SANBI
Location: Groenkloof National Park (Head Office), Pretoria
Duration: 12 Months
Stipend: R6 335.69 – R9 088.37 per month
Qualification Levels: NQF Level 6, 7, or 8
Age Requirement: 18 – 35 years
Closing Date: 06 March 2026
Employment Guarantee: None (training-focused programme)
Application Method: Online only

Internship Fields and Available Positions

The programme focuses mainly on Human Capital Management and organisational support roles.

Available Fields of Study

Learning and Development Division

Human Resources Development / Training Management — 5 positions
Industrial Psychology (Honours Degree) — 1 position

Performance Management

Human Resources Management — 2 positions

Occupational Health and Safety

Safety Management — 2 positions

Labour Relations

Human Resources Management / Labour Relations — 2 positions

Human Capital Management Administration

Payroll and Benefits — 1 position

Biodiversity Special Projects (BSP)

Human Resources Management — 2 positions

SANBI Placement

Human Resources Management — 5 positions

These placements provide practical exposure to real organisational functions such as employee relations, training coordination, compliance, and HR operations.

Minimum Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet ALL the following criteria:

Be an unemployed graduate aged between 18 and 35
Be a South African citizen
Hold a National Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, or Honours Degree (NQF 6–8)
Qualification must be from a South African public Higher Education Institution
Must not have participated in a public service internship previously
Must not have formal employment experience related to the internship

Documents Required

Applicants must prepare certified copies of:

Updated CV
South African ID document
Matric certificate
Academic qualifications
Full academic transcript (academic record)

Important application rule:

Clearly indicate the Park/Workstation, Division, and Field of Study you are applying for.

Failure to submit complete documentation will result in disqualification.

Stipend Structure

Interns will receive a monthly stipend based on qualification level:

NQF Level 6 (National Diploma): Starting stipend range
NQF Level 7 (Bachelor’s Degree): Mid-range stipend
NQF Level 8 (Honours Degree): Up to R9 088.37 monthly

This stipend is intended to support living expenses during the training period.

Applicants relocating to Pretoria must arrange:

Accommodation
Transport

SANParks may provide accommodation within a park only if available.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps carefully:

Prepare all required certified documents.
Ensure your CV clearly reflects your qualification and field.
Confirm eligibility requirements.
Apply online using the official application form:

https://forms.office.com/r/j0EbJ47mcN

Manual or emailed applications will NOT be accepted.

Selection Process

Applications undergo several verification stages:

Document screening
Qualification verification
Pre-employment checks
Interview assessments

Applicants may be contacted for interviews at dates determined by SANParks.

If you do not receive feedback within 14 days after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.

How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare

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

Recommended Tools:

Edupstairs Advice for Applicants

To increase your chances of selection:

Tailor your CV to HR or organisational skills.
Highlight academic projects related to people management or training.
Include volunteer or leadership experience.
Demonstrate interest in conservation or public service.
Apply early — do not wait until the closing date.

Preparation tip:

Start gathering certified documents immediately since certification delays cause many applicants to miss deadlines.

Career Growth Path After This Internship

Although permanent employment is not guaranteed, this internship significantly improves career prospects.

Possible career pathways include:

Human Resources Officer
Training Coordinator
Labour Relations Assistant
HR Administrator
Organisational Development Practitioner
Performance Management Officer
Government Administration Roles
Environmental institution administration careers

Many interns later secure opportunities within:

Government departments
Municipalities
Conservation agencies
Corporate HR departments
SETA-funded programmes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this a permanent job?

No. This is a 12-month internship designed for workplace experience.

Can I apply if I completed an internship before?

No. Applicants must not have participated in a public service internship previously.

Will accommodation be provided?

Only if available. Most applicants must arrange their own accommodation.

Can graduates from private colleges apply?

No. Qualifications must be from South African public Higher Education Institutions.

What happens after the internship ends?

You receive workplace experience and references but employment is not guaranteed.

CLOSING DATE: 06 MARCH 2026

You can also:

Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)

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

Have you applied for this opportunity?

Total responses: 1

Disclaimers

SANParks is under no obligation to offer permanent employment.
Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA.
Only online applications are accepted.
Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.

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.

OrganisationSANParks

SourceOfficial website/career portal

Open source link

Apply viaOnline portal

ReferenceSANParks_CATHSSETA_Internship2026

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SANParks & CATHSSETA Internship Programme (X20 Posts) 2026