National Film and Video Foundation and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture need 200 unemployed South African graduates for a digitisation internship that starts on 24 August 2026. The deadline is 03 August 2026 at 16:00 – you have only a few weeks to apply.
What the internship is about
The NFVF‑PESP7 Digitisation Project is part of the Seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP). Interns will work as Assistant Archivists and help digitise, organise and preserve records that belong to the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA) and its provincial archives.
Who can apply
- South African citizens, unemployed, aged 35 years or younger.
- Graduates with a 3‑year degree or 4‑year diploma in Archival Studies, Information Science, Film Studies, Sound Engineering, Heritage Studies, ICT or a related field.
- You must not have taken part in a previous PESP project.
- If a province has several sites, state the exact site you want.
What you will gain
- Practical experience in arranging, describing and digitising archival material.
- Skills in records‑management, oral‑history interviewing, audiovisual preservation and basic video editing.
- Exposure to heritage institutions across all nine provinces and the National Archives in Pretoria.
- Professional networking and a reference that can strengthen future job applications.
How to apply – step by step
- Download your CV and update it to a maximum of two pages.
- Gather certified copies of:
- Your South African ID
- All qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates)
- Driver’s licence (if you have one) and Code 10 licence with Professional Driving Permit if the site needs it
- Write an email with the subject line containing the reference code and site, e.g. LMP.01 – Assistant Archivist – Polokwane.
- Attach the CV and all certified documents.
- Send the email to pesp7internship@nfvf.co.za. Use the “Click here to apply for NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Internships 2026” link if you receive it in an official invitation.
Available positions by province
| Province / Site | Reference | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Western Cape – Cape Town | WC.01 | 10 |
| KwaZulu‑Natal – Ulundi, Durban, Pietermaritzburg | KZN.01 | 22 |
| North West – Mahikeng | NW.01 | 22 |
| Limpopo – Polokwane, Makwarela, Giyani, Lebowakgomo | LMP.01 | 20 |
| Mpumalanga – Mbombela | MP.01 | 22 |
| Eastern Cape – Qonce, Gqeberha, Mthatha | EC.01 | 22 |
| Gauteng – Kagiso, Johannesburg | GP.01 | 22 |
| Northern Cape – Kimberley & surrounding districts | NC.01 | 22 |
| Free State – Bloemfontein | FS.01 | 15 |
| NARSSA – Pretoria (National Archives) | NARSSA.01 | 23 |
| Total | 200 |
Typical duties you may perform
- Scanning and digitising paper records, photographs, film and sound tapes.
- Describing collections and creating catalogue entries.
- Assisting with oral‑history interviews and transcriptions.
- Supporting records‑management and appraisal processes.
- Maintaining strongrooms, reading rooms and providing client assistance.
- Basic video‑capture, editing and digital preservation tasks.
Tips to improve your chances
- Match your qualification exactly to the listed fields; list relevant modules (e.g., “digital archiving” or “audio preservation”).
- Tailor your CV to highlight any experience with archives, libraries, museums, film or IT projects.
- Use a clear, professional email subject line with the reference number and site.
- Ensure all attached documents are legible and certified – blurry files are rejected.
- Apply early; applications received after the deadline are not considered.
- Be prepared for citizenship, criminal‑record and qualification verification if shortlisted.
What happens after you apply?
If your application meets the criteria, NFVF will verify your South African citizenship, identity documents, qualifications and any required licences. You may be asked for a criminal‑record check. Candidates who do not hear back within 30 days after the closing date should assume they were not selected.
Final thoughts
This internship offers hands‑on experience in preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage while you earn a stipend. The deadline is fast approaching – 03 August 2026 at 16:00. Prepare your documents, send a well‑structured email, and take the first step toward a career in archives, heritage or media.
