KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education invites South African unemployed graduates to apply for the Graduate Internship Programme 2026/28.
Internship Application Closing Date: 27 February 2026
Internship Location: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Overview of the Graduate Internship Programme
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education will recruit 800 unemployed graduates for a fully structured 24-month Graduate Internship Programme. The internship is aimed at giving graduates workplace exposure, practical skills, and improved employability, with placements across departmental offices in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Interns will be placed in various directorates/fields, and compulsory rotation may be implemented after placement (except for specialised fields).
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be an unemployed graduate (without relevant work experience)
- Be currently not studying
- Must not have previously participated in a Graduate Internship Programme
- Be willing to sign a contractual agreement with the Department
- Be available for placement at departmental offices across KwaZulu-Natal
- People with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Fields and Reference Numbers
Below are the internship streams and the related reference numbers:
- Human Resource Administrative Services
Qualifications: HRD/HRM, Public Administration/Management, Office Administration/Office Management & Technology, Employee Relations/Labour Law/Management Assistant, Monitoring & Evaluation, Strategic Management
Ref Number: KZNDE/001/Intern - Information Technology Services
Qualifications: Information Systems, IT, Programming & Networking, Management Information Systems, Business Information & Management
Ref Number: KZNDE/002/Intern - Communications and Publications (Pietermaritzburg only)
Qualifications: Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Social Media, Photography, Graphic Design
Ref Number: KZNDE/003/Intern - Supply Chain Management
Qualifications: Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Logistics Management
Ref Number: KZNDE/004/Intern - Organisational Development (Pietermaritzburg only)
Qualifications: Human Resource Management
Ref Number: KZNDE/005/Intern - Legal Services (Pietermaritzburg only)
Qualifications: LLB
Ref Number: KZNDE/006/Intern - EMIS, Infrastructure Planning and Delivery
Qualifications: Statistics, Data Analysis, Web Design, Computer Science, Programming, Geography, Environmental Studies, Quantity Surveying, Civil/Structural Engineering, Building Management, GIS, Geography & Environmental Management, Electrical Engineering, Built Environment, Town & Regional Planning
Ref Numbers: KZNDE/007/Intern and KZNDE/008/Intern - Special Needs Education, Inclusive Education, Library & Information Services
Qualifications: Psychology, Psycho-social, Social Work, Career Guidance, Library & Information Science
Ref Numbers: KZNDE/009/Intern and KZNDE/010/Intern - Inter-Governmental Relations
Qualifications: International Relations, Political Science, Government Business & Ethics, Policy Development
Ref Number: KZNDE/011/Intern - Occupational Health and Safety
Qualifications: OHS Management, Safety/Health/Environmental Management
Ref Number: KZNDE/012/Intern - Finance
Qualifications: Accounting, Financial Management, Cost & Management Accounting, Tax Administration, Internal Auditing
Ref Number: KZNDE/013/Intern - Co-Curricular
Qualifications: Sport Management, Sport Science, Music
Ref Number: KZNDE/014/Intern
Required Documents (Compulsory)
Your application must include:
- Recently certified copy of South African ID
- A recent detailed CV
- Recently certified copy of Matric certificate
- Recently certified copy of Degree/Diploma certificate (or confirmation letter where applicable)
- Full academic record (modules/courses passed)
- Proof of residence (important: once placed, transfers will not be allowed due to incorrect info)
- Proof of registration with a relevant professional body/council (where applicable)
Important: If any required document is missing, your application may be disqualified.
How to Apply
Applicants should hand deliver their applications to their nearest KZN Department of Education office (district or head office) as listed below.
Click here to apply for KZN Department of Education 800 Graduate Internship Programme 2026/28: Download the official KZN Circular (Graduate Internship Programme 2026/28)
Office contact details (hand-delivery)
Head Office (Pietermaritzburg)
- Contact: Mrs. B.C Sithole / Mr. S. Funeka
- Tel: 033 846 5197 / 5506 | 033 846 5294 / 5293
- Address: 228 Pietermaritz Street, 2nd Floor, Ex-NED Building, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Umgungundlovu District (Pietermaritzburg)
- Contact: Mr. S. Daniso | Tel: 033 355 2256
- Address: 3rd Floor, Old Mutual Building, 185 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Pinetown District
- Contact: Mr. Z. Gagai | Tel: 031 737 2003
- Address: 17 Crompton Street (Former Italia Building), Pinetown, 3600
Umlazi District (Durban)
- Contact: Mrs. N. Msomi | Tel: 031 360 6354
- Address: 8th Floor, Truro House, 17 Margaret Mncadi, Durban, 4001
iLembe District (KwaDukuza)
- Contact: Mrs. N.A. Ngonyama | Tel: 032 439 6184
- Address: Corner R103 and Link Road, KwaDukuza, 4450
Zululand District (Vryheid / Ulundi)
- Contact: Mr. M.C. Sibanyoni | Tel: 035 874 1102 / 1290
- Address: Parkhome No. 11, Cnr South & West Parkhome, Vryheid, 3100 or King Dinuzulu Highway, 2nd Floor Administrative Building, Ulundi, 3838
Ugu District (Port Shepstone)
- Contact: Mrs. T.N. Ngcobo | Tel: 039 688 8808
- Address: 03 Jan Smuts, Port Shepstone, 4240
Harry Gwala District (Kokstad)
- Contact: Mr. B.M. Mkhanyawo | Tel: 039 797 3700
- Address: 8 Main Street, Kokstad, 4700
uThukela District (Ladysmith)
- Contact: Mr. W.B. Tshangase / Mr. T. Venge | Tel: 036 638 7793 / 94
- Address: 49 Murchison Street, Ladysmith, 3370
Umzinyathi District (Dundee)
- Tel: 034 219 2103 / 2761
- Address: No. 40 Wilson Street, Dundee, 3000
Amajuba District (Newcastle)
- Contact: Mr. B.N. Mdlalose | Tel: 034 328 4566 / 4562
- Address: 113 Panorama Drive, Lennoxton, Newcastle, 2940
King Cetshwayo District (Empangeni)
- Contact: Mr. B.E. Mazibuko | Tel: 035 901 1457
- Address: Cnr Maxwell & Hancock Avenue, Empangeni, 3880
uMkhanyakude District (Mkhuze)
- Contact: Mr. S.A. Mkhwanazi | Tel: 035 573 3858
- Address: Cnr Thubelathu & Telembe Road, Mkhuze, 3965