The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) invites unemployed South African graduates residing in Mpumalanga to apply for the Graduate Internship Programme 2026 / 2027.
Internship Application Closing Date: 11 September 2026 at 16:00
Internship Location: MTPA Head Office and various Nature Reserves across Mpumalanga, South Africa
MTPA Graduate Internship Programme 2026 / 2027
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency is offering 35 graduate internship opportunities for unemployed graduates who want to gain practical workplace experience within conservation, environmental sciences and nature reserve operations.
The programme will run for 12 months and successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend of:
R5,000 per month
Applicants must reside in Mpumalanga Province and must not have previously participated in a graduate internship programme.
Programme Overview
Organisation: Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency
Programme: Graduate Internship Programme 2026 / 2027
Number of Posts: X35
Duration: 12 months
Stipend: R5,000 per month
Age Requirement: 18 to 35 years
Province: Mpumalanga
Target Group: Unemployed graduates
Application Method: Hand delivery only
Closing Date: 11 September 2026 at 16:00
Qualifications Accepted
Applicants must hold one of the specified qualifications from a public university or university of technology.
The accepted qualifications are a National Diploma in Nature Conservation / Wildlife Management, a Bachelor of Science in Geology, or a Bachelor of Science Honours in Botany.
Applicants should apply only for positions where their qualification matches the field required at the relevant base station or nature reserve.
Available Internship Posts
| Base Station / Nature Reserve | Posts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Head Office – Terrestrial Systems | 1 | BSc Honours in Botany |
| Songimvelo Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Songimvelo Nature Reserve | 1 | BSc in Geology |
| Barberton Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Barberton Nature Reserve | 1 | BSc in Geology |
| Mahushe Shongwe Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Mthethomusha Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Sterkspruit Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve | 2 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Bushbuckridge Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Andover Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Manyeleti Nature Reserve | 2 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve | 2 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve | 1 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Mkhombo Dam Nature Reserve | 3 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Mabusa Nature Reserve | 3 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Mdala Nature Reserve | 3 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| SS Skosana Nature Reserve | 3 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Loskop Dam Nature Reserve | 4 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Verloren Valei Nature Reserve | 2 | National Diploma in Nature Conservation |
| Total | 35 |
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must be unemployed South Africans between the ages of 18 and 35, reside in Mpumalanga Province, hold one of the required qualifications and must not previously have participated in a graduate internship programme.
People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will be placed at the relevant nature reserves based on their area of residence.
Internship Stipend
Successful interns will receive:
R5,000 per month
The internship runs for 12 months.
The advertised monthly stipend would amount to R60,000 over 12 months if a participant remains in the programme for the full period and receives the stated stipend each month.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a covering letter, updated CV, relevant qualification, academic record, copy of ID and valid proof of residence.
The covering letter must clearly indicate the qualification being applied for and the name of the Base Station or Nature Reserve where the applicant wants to be placed.
How to Apply for MTPA Graduate Internships 2026 / 2027
Applications must be hand delivered only.
Applicants may submit their applications at any nearest MTPA Nature Reserve or hand deliver them to:
MTPA Head Office
N4 National Road
Hall’s Gateway
Mataffin
Block J
Office J18
For Attention: HRD Manager
There is no online or email application method for this programme.
Email applications will not be accepted.
Internship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
11 September 2026 at 16:00
Late applications will not be considered.
Applicants should submit their documents well before the closing time because applications received after 16:00 will not be accepted.
Important Application Notes
Applicants must reside in Mpumalanga Province and provide valid proof of residence.
Only hand-delivered applications will be considered.
Applicants should ensure that the qualification and nature reserve or base station they are applying for are clearly stated in the covering letter.
The programme is specifically aimed at unemployed graduates seeking practical experience in Nature Conservation, Wildlife Management, Geology or Botany.