What’s the job?
The KwaZulu‑Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is hiring fresh grads and students for two work‑in‑place programs that will run from 2026 to 2028. One is a 24‑month internship for people who just finished university and are still looking for a job. The other is a 12‑ to 18‑month Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program for students who still need hands‑on work to finish their studies. Both give you a chance to learn real skills in a government office and may open doors to future jobs in the public sector.
Quick facts
- Where? KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa
- When to apply? Until 28 January 2026 – no late submissions will be accepted
- Who can join? Unemployed graduates or students still enrolled in a recognized university
- Length of each program – Internship: 24 months; WIL: 12–18 months
- Special focus – People with disabilities get priority if they meet the other criteria
Graduate Internship (24 months)
This track is for people who have earned a 3‑ or 4‑year degree but haven’t started working yet. You need to be a resident of KwaZulu‑Natal and prove that you haven’t done a government internship before.
Eligibility checklist
- Unemployed
- Living in KwaZulu‑Natal – you’ll need a proof of residence such as a utility bill or council letter
- Never had a government internship
- Completed a university degree that matches one of the available fields
Fields and openings
| Field | Reference ID | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Public Management / Administration | PUB/1/26 | 15 |
| Accounting / Finance / Internal Audit | ACC/2/26 | 5 |
| Computer Science / IT | COM/3/26 | 3 |
| Law (LLB) | LLB/4/26 | 3 |
| Human Resources / Organisational Development | HRM/5/26 | 10 |
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | GIS/6/26 | 3 |
| Electrical / Civil Engineering / Architecture / Quantity Surveying | ELE/CIV/7/26 | 3 |
| Disaster & Environmental Management | DIS/8/26 | 3 |
| Town & Regional Planning | TOWN/9/26 | 2 |
| Visual Communication / Photography / Graphic Design | VIS/10/26 | 2 |
| Logistics / Transport Management | LOG/11/26 | 1 |
Tip: Pick only one field that matches your degree and apply for that. Applying for many fields can hurt your chances.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) – 12 to 18 months
WIL is for students who are still studying and need real work exposure to finish their course. You must be enrolled at a recognised institution and have a formal letter from your school that asks the government to let you work with them.
WIL eligibility
- Registered at an accredited university or college
- Have a formal WIL request letter from your institution
- Unemployed at the time of application
- First time applying for a government WIL program
- Live in KwaZulu‑Natal
WIL fields and posts
| Field | Reference ID | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Public Management / Administration | PUB/WIL/26 | 4 |
| Electrical / Civil Engineering | ELEC/WIL/26 | 2 |
| Human Resources | HRM/WIL/26 | 4 |
How to submit your application
Make sure you follow the steps closely – missing a document could automatically disqualify you.
Documents you must send
- Completed Z83 application form, signed by you
- A recent CV that shows your education and any work experience
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Proof that you live in KwaZulu‑Natal (utility bill, council letter, or affidavit)
- Certified copies of all your degrees and certificates
- Your academic transcripts
- WIL request letter (if you’re applying for WIL)
Applications that lack any of these certified documents will not be accepted.
Where to send your application
- By hand – Bring the papers to the Natalia Building, 13th Floor, Pietermaritzburg
- By post – Send to Private Bag X9078, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 (address the envelope to the Head of Department)
- You may also drop them off at any of the district COGTA offices if that is convenient.
Important dates
- Deadline: 28 January 2026 – applications after this date will not be considered.
Why take this opportunity?
These programs let you step into a real government office, learn how public services run, and develop skills that are in high demand. Whether you finish the internship or WIL, you’ll be better positioned for future jobs in local or provincial government, public sector groups, and development agencies.
To apply, visit the official COGTA website and follow the instructions to complete and send your application. Good luck, and we hope you become part of the next wave of young leaders in KwaZulu‑Natal!