800 Graduate Internship – KZN Department of Education

ByRainbow Time

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education invites unemployed graduates to apply for the 2026/28 Graduate Internship Programme. A total of 800 interns will be recruited for a fully structured 24-month programme aimed at providing valuable workplace experience and improving future employment prospects. Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend and will be placed in departmental offices across KwaZulu-Natal Province.

This opportunity is open to South African graduates who hold a relevant Degree or Diploma and have not previously participated in a graduate internship programme. The internship offers exposure in various fields within the department, allowing participants to gain practical skills and professional development. The closing date for applications is 27 February 2026.

  • Position: Graduate Internship Programme
  • Number of Interns: 800 Unemployed Graduates
  • Duration: 24 Months
  • Location: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
  • Closing Date: 27 February 2026

Recruitment of 800 Unemployed Graduates – 24 Months

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is implementing the Internship Programme as part of its contribution to skills development initiatives as expressed in the NSDS, NDP and PGDS objectives by inviting unemployed graduates to participate in the programme that will provide them with valuable work experience and increase their opportunities towards employment.

The programme offered is fully structured and the Department will pay successful interns a monthly stipend / allowance.

Applications are therefore invited from interested applicants in possession of a relevant Degree/Diploma from recognized higher education institutions, to undertake a Graduate Internship Programme that shall run for a period of 24 months in the following fields/areas. Compulsory rotation will be implemented after placement except for specialized fields.

Closing Date: 27/02/2026

REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • South African citizen
  • Unemployed graduates without relevant work experience
  • Currently not studying
  • Unemployed graduates who have not previously participated in the Graduate Internship Programme
  • Prepared to enter into a contractual agreement with the Department
  • Available for placement in the departmental offices across the province
  • People with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Required Documents:

  • Recently certified copy of South African Identity Document
  • A recent detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Recently certified copy of Matric certificate
  • Recently certified copy of Degree or Diploma certificate. Diploma from TVET Colleges/Letter from Higher Education and confirming graduation
  • A full academic record indicating individual modules or courses passed/completed
  • Proof of residence must be attached (once interns have been placed no transfers will be allowed due to incorrect information provided)
  • Proof of registration with the relevant body/council (where applicable)

If any of the documents mentioned above is not attached, the applicant will automatically be disqualified. Preference will be given to applicants with copies of qualification certificates. Where an applicant has not been contacted within 2 months from the closing date, the applicant must kindly consider that their application has been unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right to place or not to place applicants based on its needs and requirements.

Fields / Directorates Available

Human Resource Administrative Services

Qualifications Required:

  • Human Resource Development / Human Resource Management
  • Public Administration / Public Management
  • Office Administration / Office Management and Technology
  • Employee Relations / Labour Law / Management Assistant
  • Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Strategic Management
    Ref Number: KZNDE/001/Intern

Information Technology Services

Qualifications Required:

  • Information Systems
  • Information Technology
  • Programming & Networking
  • Management Information Systems
  • Business Information and Management
    Ref Number: KZNDE/002/Intern

Communications and Publications (Pietermaritzburg Based Only)

Qualifications Required:

  • Public Relations
  • Communications
  • Journalism
  • Social Media
  • Photography
  • Graphic Design
    Ref Number: KZNDE/003/Intern

Supply Chain Management

Qualifications Required:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Project Management
  • Logistics Management
    Ref Number: KZNDE/004/Intern

Organisational Development (Pietermaritzburg Based Only)

Qualifications Required:

  • Human Resource Management
    Ref Number: KZNDE/005/Intern

Legal Services (Pietermaritzburg Based Only)

Qualifications Required:

  • LLB
    Ref Number: KZNDE/006/Intern

Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) Infrastructure Planning and Delivery

Qualifications Required:

  • Statistics
  • Data Analyst
  • Web Design
  • Computer Science
  • Programming
  • Geography
  • Environmental Studies
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Civil / Structural Engineering
  • Building Management
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Geography and Environmental Management
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Built Environment
  • Town and Regional Planning
    Ref Number: KZNDE/007/Intern
    Ref Number: KZNDE/008/Intern

Special Needs Education and Inclusive Education Library and Information Services

Qualifications Required:

  • Psychology
  • Psycho-social
  • Social Work
  • Career Guidance
  • Library and Information Science
    Ref Number: KZNDE/009/Intern
    Ref Number: KZNDE/010/Intern

Inter-Governmental Relations

Qualifications Required:

  • International Relations
  • Political Science
  • Government Business and Ethics
  • Policy Development
    Ref Number: KZNDE/011/Intern

Occupational Health and Safety

Qualifications Required:

  • Occupational Health and Safety Management
  • Safety, Health and Environmental Management
    Ref Number: KZNDE/012/Intern

Finance

Qualifications Required:

  • Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Cost and Management Accounting
  • Tax Administration
  • Internal Auditing
    Ref Number: KZNDE/013/Intern

Co-Curricular

Qualifications Required:

  • Sport Management
  • Sport Science
  • Music
    Ref Number: KZNDE/014/Intern

Closing Date: 27 February 2026

Applicants should hand deliver their applications to their nearest offices as indicated below.

OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

Head Office

Contact Person:

  • Mrs. B.C Sithole
  • Mr. S. Funeka

Telephone Numbers:

  • 033 846 5197 / 5506
  • 033 846 5294 / 5293

Address:
228 Pieter Maritz Street,
2nd Floor, EX-NED Building,
Pietermaritzburg, 3201

Umgungundlovu District

Contact Person: Mr. S. Daniso
Telephone Number: 033 355 2256
Address:
3rd Floor, Old Mutual Building,
185 Langalibalele Street,
Pietermaritzburg, 3201

Pinetown District

Contact Person: Mr. Z. Gagai
Telephone Number: 031 737 2003
Address:
17 Crompton Street (Former Italia Building),
Pinetown, 3600

Umlazi District

Contact Person: Mrs. N. Msomi
Telephone Number: 031 360 6354
Address:
81st Floor, Truro House,
17 Margaret Mncadi,
Durban, 4001

Ilembe District

Contact Person: Mrs. N.A. Ngonyama
Telephone Number: 032 439 6184 / 6184
Address:
Corner R103 and Link Road,
KwaDukuza, 4450

Zululand District

Contact Person: Mr. M.C. Sibanyoni
Telephone Numbers:

  • 035 874 1102
  • 035 874 1290

Address:
Parkhome No. 11, Cnr. South and West Park Home,
Vryheid, 3100 or
King Dinuzulu Highway, 2nd Floor Administrative Building,
Ulundi, 3838

Ugu District

Contact Person: Mrs. T.N. Ngcobo
Telephone Number: 039 688 8808
Address:
03 Jan Smuts,
Port Shepstone, 4240

Harry Gwala District

Contact Person: Mr. B.M. Mkhanyawo
Telephone Number: 039 797 3700
Address:
8 Main Street,
Kokstad, 4700

uThukela District

Contact Person:

  • Mr. W.B. Tshangase
  • Mr. T. Venge

Telephone Number: 036 638 7795/94
Address:
49 Murchison Street,
Ladysmith, 3370

Umzinyathi District

Telephone Number: 034 219 2103 / 2761
Address:
No. 40 Wilson Street,
Dundee, 3000

Amajuba District

Contact Person: Mr. B.N. Mdlalose
Telephone Number: 034 328 4566 / 4562
Address:
113 Panorama Drive,
Lennoxton, Newcastle, 2940

King Cetshwayo District

Contact Person: Mr. B.E. Mazibuko
Telephone Number: 035 901 1457
Address:
Cnr. Maxwell and Hancock Avenue, Empangeni, 3880

uMkhanyakude District

Contact Person: Mr. S.A Mkhwanazi
Telephone Number: 035 573 3858
Address:
Cnr. Thubelathu and Telembe Road,
Mkhuze, 3965