South African National Parks (SANParks) is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for the position of Tourism Assistant (Fixed-Term Contract) at Agulhas National Park. This opportunity is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with people, have excellent customer service skills, and are passionate about tourism, heritage, and conservation. The successful candidate will play an important role in creating a memorable experience for visitors while supporting the daily operations of one of South Africa’s most historic tourist attractions.
The contract is for a period of three months and offers valuable experience in the tourism and hospitality sector. The position is based at Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum and Tower, one of the country’s most iconic heritage sites. The Tourism Assistant will also provide relief support at the reception office whenever required.
If a career in tourism, heritage management, and customer service is of interest, this fixed-term opportunity provides an excellent chance to gain practical experience while working in one of South Africa’s most beautiful national parks.
Position Overview
Position: Tourism Assistant
Location: Agulhas National Park
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (3 Months)
Paterson Grade: B1
Closing Date: 16 July 2026
Agulhas National Park sits at the southernmost tip of Africa, home to the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. The Tourism Assistant plays a central role in helping visitors connect with this heritage landmark, offering both an educational and hospitality-focused experience.
About The Role
The Tourism Assistant will be the primary point of contact for visitors touring the lighthouse museum and climbing the tower. This includes welcoming guests, sharing historical context, issuing permits, and processing payments. The role also involves administrative tasks such as compiling visitor statistics, maintaining exhibition displays, and managing museum inventory.
Beyond the lighthouse itself, the successful candidate may be called upon to relieve reception staff and assist with general front-office duties. This means the role requires flexibility and a willingness to move between different tasks depending on operational needs.
Given the physical layout of the lighthouse, applicants should be prepared for regular stair climbing, as the tower does not have elevator access. Physical fitness is listed as a requirement for this reason.
Location Details
The position is based at Agulhas National Park, located in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. The park is known for its dramatic coastline, unique fynbos vegetation, and the iconic lighthouse that marks the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
No official staff accommodation is provided for this role. Candidates will need to arrange their own housing in or near the area before starting the contract.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants interested in this position should meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualification
A Grade 12 (Matric) certificate is required, along with at least 2 years of relevant experience in office administration or tourism-related work.
Language Proficiency
Proficiency in both Afrikaans and English is essential for this role. Knowledge of a third language will be considered an added advantage, particularly given the international visitor traffic the lighthouse attracts.
Interpersonal Skills
A friendly, welcoming personality is important, along with strong verbal communication skills for engaging both individual visitors and larger tour groups. Written communication, liaison abilities, and customer service skills should also be well developed.
Working Under Pressure
The role involves frequent interruptions and unpredictable visitor flow, so the ability to remain composed and professional under pressure is necessary.
Heritage Interest
An interest in, or willingness to learn about, heritage assets, particularly lighthouses, will benefit candidates in this role. Visitors often ask detailed historical questions, so enthusiasm for learning this content matters.
Physical Fitness
Candidates must be physically able to climb all stairs within the lighthouse tower as part of daily duties.
Computer Literacy
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office is required. Prior experience with Property Management Systems (PMS) will be considered an advantage, particularly for candidates who may assist with reception duties.
Availability
This role requires willingness to work weekends and public holidays, as these are typically peak visitor periods at the lighthouse.
Key Responsibilities
The Tourism Assistant will be responsible for a range of visitor-facing and administrative duties, including:
- Welcoming and engaging with visitors at the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum and Tower
- Issuing permits, processing payments, and reconciling daily takings
- Representing the lighthouse with enthusiasm and respect for its historical significance
- Providing accurate information to visitors about the park, lighthouse, and related tourism activities
- Performing administrative duties, including compiling visitor statistics and basic reporting
- Maintaining exhibition displays and managing inventory of museum items
- Compiling and distributing brochures and other lighthouse-related information
- Assisting in supervising security and cleaning services at the lighthouse, including oversight of public ablution facilities
- Performing relief receptionist duties at the front office when required
This mix of duties makes the role well suited to someone who enjoys variety and does not mind switching between visitor engagement, light administration, and operational oversight throughout the day.
Remuneration And Benefits
The remuneration package for this position is aligned with a Paterson B1 job grade. As noted above, no official accommodation is available within the park, so successful candidates should factor this into their planning before applying.
Equal Opportunity Statement
SANParks operates as an equal opportunity employer. The organization reserves the right not to make an appointment for this position. South African citizens will be given priority consideration unless otherwise specified in future communications.
How To Apply
Candidates who meet the requirements listed above should apply through the official application link below:
Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/iu4AuwRGjL
In addition to completing the online application form, supporting documents must be emailed separately.
Required Supporting Documents
- Detailed CV
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Certified copy of ID
- Other relevant supporting documents
Email Address: [email protected]
Subject Line Reference: AG: FT Tourism Assistant
Applications that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered, so candidates should review the qualification criteria carefully before submitting documentation.
Enquiries
For any questions regarding this position, candidates can contact:
Contact Person: Thembelihle Madlala
Telephone: 021 741 2521
Application Timeline
Closing Date: 16 July 2026
Applicants who have not received a response within 21 days of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. Given the fixed-term nature of the role and the specific skill set required, candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible and ensure all documentation is complete and correctly labeled before submission.
Why Consider This Role
This position offers a unique opportunity to work at one of South Africa’s most recognizable heritage landmarks. For candidates with a passion for tourism, history, and visitor engagement, the Tourism Assistant role at Agulhas National Park provides hands-on experience in a working national park environment, combining hospitality skills with heritage preservation work.
The southernmost tip of Africa draws visitors from around the world, and this role places successful candidates directly at the center of that experience, sharing the story of the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse while contributing to smooth daily operations at one of the park’s most visited attractions.
