If you are a recent graduate searching for real‑world experience, the KwaZulu‑Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) is offering an Internship Programme for 2026/2027 that could jump‑start your career.
What the opportunity is
EDTEA will run a structured internship that lasts several months. Interns receive a monthly stipend or allowance and are placed in the Head Office in Pietermaritzburg, various district offices, or other designated sites across KwaZulu‑Natal.
Who can apply
The internship is open to unemployed South African graduates who have not previously benefited from an internship in a national, provincial or local government department. Applicants must hold a qualification that matches the reference number of the position they are interested in (see the tables below).
What you will gain
- Practical work experience in fields such as Finance, HR, IT, Public Administration, Tourism, Agriculture, Environment, Law and Business Management.
- Exposure to government processes and policy development.
- A monthly stipend that helps with living costs while you learn.
- Professional references that can strengthen future job applications.
How to apply – step‑by‑step
- Download the Z83 application form: Z83 Form.
- Complete the form in full. Write the reference number, position title and preferred area/centre clearly on the form.
- Attach an up‑to‑date CV.
- Write a signed affidavit stating you have not previously received a government internship.
- Submit the package to the address that matches your chosen placement (see the district office table). You may hand‑deliver, post, or deliver in person.
- If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to provide certified copies of your ID, qualifications and academic transcripts.
Tips to improve your chances
- Read each reference number carefully and only apply for positions that match your qualification.
- Proofread your CV and affidavit – errors can lead to disqualification.
- Use the exact wording for your qualification as listed (e.g., “Public Administration” not “Public Admin”).
- Submit your application before the deadline; late entries are not considered.
- Visit the nearest district office for any clarification before you send your documents.
Internship details
General information
Closing date: 2 October 2026
Location: KwaZulu‑Natal (Head Office and district offices)
Stipend: Monthly allowance paid by the Department
Application method: Z83 form + updated CV
Available internship positions
| Internship | Reference | Required qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Office Support – MEC Office | MEC Office Support-27/29 | Public Administration |
| Office Support – HOD Office | HOD Office-27/29 | Public Administration, Public Management, Business Administration or Business Management |
| Risk and Integrity Management | Risk-27/29 | Risk Management or Professional Ethics |
| Internal Audit | IntAudit-27/29 | Internal Auditing or Risk Management |
| Monitoring and Evaluation | M&E-27/29 | Postgraduate Monitoring & Evaluation qualification or Degree in Social Science |
| Public Entities Oversight | PublicEnt-27/29 | Law/LLB, Public Management or Accounting |
| Strategic Planning | Strat-27/29 | Postgraduate Development Studies, Public Policy, Town & Regional Planning or related Social Science/Research field |
| Intergovernmental Relations | IGR-27/29 | Social Science, Public Administration/Management, Development Studies, International Relations or Political Science |
| Finance | Finance-27/29 | Accounting or Financial Management |
| Finance – Budget | FinBudg-27/29 | Cost and Management Accounting |
| Asset Management | Asset-27/29 | Financial Management, Accounting or Cost Management Accounting |
| Supply Chain Management | SCM-27/29 | SCM, Public Administration, Business Management, Logistics Procurement or Purchasing Management |
| Internal Control | Internal-C27/29 | Internal Audit or Risk Management |
| Human Resource Management | HRM-27/29 | HR Management, Public Admin or Public Administration |
| Employee Health & Wellness | EHW-27/29 | Psychology or postgraduate Psychology |
| Information Technology | IT-27/29 | Information Technology |
| Telecommunications | TEL-COMM-27/29 | Information Technology |
| Communications and Marketing | COM-27/29 | PR, Media Studies, Communication, Photography, Desktop Publishing or Videography |
| Registry | Registry27/29 | Social Sciences, Records Management, Archives Management or Public Management |
| Facilities Management | Facilities-27/29 | Public Management, Facilities Management or Property Management |
| Fleet Management | Fleet-27/29 | Logistics, Supply Chain Management or Public Management |
Small Business Development and Co‑operatives
- Small Business Development – Area 1 (Ref: Area 1 SBD-27/29): Positions in Harry Gwala, uMzinyathi, Amajuba, uThukela and the Head Office. Required: Economics, Business Administration, Business Studies or Entrepreneurship.
- Small Business Development – Area 2 (Ref: Area 2-SBD-27/29): Locations in Ugu, eThekwini and Head Office. Required: Commerce or related qualification.
- Co‑operatives – Area 1 (Ref: Area 1-Co-ops-27/29): Required: Supply Chain & Logistics, Financial Management, Entrepreneurship or Clothing Management.
- Co‑operatives – Area 2 (Ref: Area 2-Co-ops-27/29): Placements in uMkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo. Required: Management of Co‑operatives, Economics, Business Management or related field.
Economic Development and Business
- Economic Empowerment – EconEmp-27/29: Development Studies, Policy and Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration or Finance.
- RLED‑PSS Capacity Building – RLEDPSS-27/29: Industrial Psychology, HRD, Development Studies, Economics or Social Science.
- RLED‑MTES – RLEDMTES-27/29: Development Studies, Economics, Social Science or equivalent.
- Business Regulation – Reg-27/29: Business Management, Business Administration, Public Policy or Bachelor of Laws.
- Consumer Protection – Consumer-27/29: LLB.
- Tourism Development – TOURISM27/29: Tourism Management or Ecotourism Management.
Industry, Agriculture and Trade
- Strategic Industrial Interventions – SII-27/29: Commerce (Economics), BCom Supply Chain Management & Logistics, Business Development, Development Studies, Aviation Management or Transport Economics.
- Agribusiness/Agro Processing – Agribus-27/29: Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Management or equivalent.
- Trade and Investment Promotions – Trade&Inv-27/29: Commerce fields such as Economics, International Trade or International Business.
- Forestry and Furniture – Forestry-27/29: Forest/Wood Science or Development Studies.
- Creative Economy – Creative-27/29: Arts, Marketing or Public Relations.
Administration, Research and Economic Analysis
- Office of the DDG – OfficeDir-27/29: Public Administration or Management.
- District Operations Management – OfficeDir-27/29: Business Administration, Business Management, Public Administration, Public Management or equivalent.
- Policy & Planning – P&P-27/29: Economics, Town and Regional Planning or Geo Information.
- Research & Modelling – R&M-27/29: BCom Honours Economics or BCom Honours Engineering (Civil).
- Knowledge Management – Knowledge-27/29: Library & Information Management, Knowledge Management or equivalent.
- Economic Analysis & Economic Impact – Economic-27/29: BCom Degree in Economics.
- Statistic Database – Stats-27/29: BCom Degree in Economics or Statistics Database Management.
Environmental Management Services
Reference: Enviro-27/29
Qualification: Degree in Environmental Sciences
Placements are available in Amajuba, uMzinyathi, uThukela, Harry Gwala, Ugu, eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, King Cetshwayo, uMkhanyakude, iLembe and Zululand.
Documents you must attach
- Completed Z83 application form.
- Current CV.
- Signed affidavit confirming you have not previously benefited from a government internship.
Indicate the reference number, position title and preferred area on the form. After shortlisting, you will need certified copies of your ID, qualifications and recent transcripts.
Where to send your application
Head Office (Pietermaritzburg)
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
270 Jabu Ndlovu Street
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu‑Natal
You may also post to:
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Private Bag X9152
Pietermaritzburg 3200
Or hand‑deliver to the ground floor of the Head Office, 270 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201, attention: Ms W. Mkhulise.
District office addresses (optional)
| District | Address |
|---|---|
| eThekwini | The Marine Building, 22 Dorothy Nyembe Street, 8th Floor, Durban |
| Ugu | 46 Bisset Street, Port Shepstone |
| Harry Gwala | 1 Northway Drive, Ixopo |
| iLembe | Albert House, Corner of Link Road and R102, Stanger |
| uThukela | 20 Buckingham Street, Ladysmith |
| Amajuba | Harding Office Park, 50 Harding Street, Newcastle |
| uMzinyathi | 26 Beaconsfield Street, Entrance 3, Dundee |
| Zululand | LA Building, Prince Mangosuthu Street / King Dinuzulu Highway, Ulundi B |
| uMkhanyakude – Mkuze | ERF 60, Mzolozolo Avenue, Mkuze, 3969 |
| King Cetshwayo | ERF 11637, Veldenvlei, South Ext 3, 3 Aloe Loop Street, Richards Bay |
| uMkhanyakude – Mtubatuba | Lot 55D Kiepersol Street, Riverview Road, Mtubatuba |
Closing date
All applications must be received by 2 October 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
Next steps
Gather your documents, choose the reference numbers that match your qualifications, complete the Z83 form and send it before the deadline. This internship could give you the experience you need to launch a successful career in the public sector or beyond. Good luck!
