The Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism is inviting applications for its Graduate Internship Programme 2026/27, with an opportunity available under the Directorate: Tourism and Chief Directorate: Tourism.
The internship is aimed at unemployed South African graduates who hold an appropriate three-year National Diploma or Degree in Tourism Management or Tourism Development. Successful interns will receive structured workplace exposure and training relevant to their field of study.
If you are looking for tourism internship opportunities in Mpumalanga, this programme offers graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience while receiving a monthly stipend of R8,174.75.
Quick Overview
| Opportunity | Details |
| Programme | Graduate Internship Programme 2026/27 |
| Department | Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism |
| Directorate | Tourism |
| Chief Directorate | Tourism |
| Programme | Programme 6 |
| Opportunity Type | Graduate Internship |
| Reference Number | DEDT 2026/27/12 |
| Experience | 0 years |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Stipend | R8,174.75 per month |
| Qualification | Three-year National Diploma/Degree in Tourism Management/Development |
| Location | Mpumalanga |
| Closing Date | 28 August 2026 at 16:00 |
| Application Method | Online Provincial e-Recruitment Portal |
About the Mpumalanga Economic and Development Tourism Internship Programme
The Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism Internship Programme is designed to provide graduates with practical workplace experience related to their qualifications.
The Tourism placement falls under the Department’s tourism-related functions and is intended to give successful interns structured work exposure and training relevant to their field of study.
Interns will participate in workplace activities, projects and capacity-building initiatives while working under the supervision and guidance of experienced professionals.
The programme is specifically intended to help unemployed graduates gain practical experience that complements their academic qualifications.
What You Will Learn and Experience
Successful interns will receive structured workplace exposure and training relevant to their field of study and placement area.
Depending on the work assigned, interns may gain experience through:
- Participation in workplace activities.
- Practical exposure related to tourism.
- Participation in departmental projects.
- Capacity-building initiatives.
- Learning from experienced professionals.
- Applying academic knowledge in a workplace environment.
- Developing professional workplace skills and experience.
The internship is intended to provide graduates with practical workplace experience over a 24-month period.
Requirements
Applicants for the Tourism internship should meet the following requirements:
- An appropriate three-year National Diploma or Degree recognised by SAQA.
- The qualification must be in Tourism Management or Tourism Development.
- Applicants must have 0 years of experience, meaning previous work experience is not required for this opportunity.
- Applicants must be unemployed South African citizens.
- Applicants must not have previously participated in an internship programme within a National or Provincial Government Department or State Institution.
- Applicants must submit proof of residence issued by the relevant Local Municipality or Traditional Authority.
- Applicants must provide a comprehensive, recently updated CV with three contactable references.
- Applicants must upload all mandatory supporting documents through the online application portal.
Applicants who have previously participated in a government internship programme must disclose this information. Failure to disclose previous participation may result in termination of the internship contract.
Explore other opportunities:
Who Can Apply?
This internship is intended for unemployed South African citizens who have completed an appropriate three-year National Diploma or Degree in Tourism Management or Tourism Development.
Applicants must not have previously participated in an internship programme within a National or Provincial Government Department or State Institution.
The programme is therefore particularly relevant to recent tourism graduates who need practical workplace experience after completing their studies.
Applicants should carefully check the official advertisement and ensure that they satisfy all requirements before submitting an application.
Stipend
Successful interns will receive a stipend of:
R8,174.75 per month.
The internship programme has a duration of 24 months.
Location
The opportunity is offered by the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourismunder the Tourism Directorate.
Applicants should carefully check the relevant official advertisement for the specific placement location and any additional location-related requirements.
How to Apply
Applications for the Mpumalanga Economic and Development Tourism Internship Programme must be submitted online through the Provincial e-Recruitment Portal.
Application steps
- Visit the official Mpumalanga Provincial e-Recruitment Portal: https://erecruitment.mpg.gov.za
- Register and create a profile on the system if you do not already have one.
- Search for the relevant internship opportunity using Reference No. DEDT 2026/27/12.
- Read the full advertisement and confirm that you meet the requirements.
- Prepare your recently updated CV.
- Include three contactable references in your CV.
- Prepare and upload all mandatory supporting documents.
- Complete the online application.
- Submit the application before the deadline of 28 August 2026 at 16:00.
No manual, emailed or faxed applications will be accepted.
Documents You May Need
Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the Department.
These may include:
- Comprehensive, recently updated CV.
- Three contactable references.
- Proof of residence issued by the relevant Local Municipality or Traditional Authority.
- Qualification documentation and other mandatory documents requested through the application process.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of their qualifications, identity document and other relevant documents on or before the day of the interview.
Applicants should follow the official advertisement carefully and upload all documents required by the online application system.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is:
28 August 2026 at 16:00.
Applications received after the specified closing date and time will not be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early rather than waiting until the final day.
Important Information for Applicants
The Department states that the 24-month Internship Programme is intended to provide graduates with practical workplace experience relevant to their qualifications.
Applicants must be unemployed South African citizens and must not have previously participated in an internship programme within a National or Provincial Government Department or State Institution.
Shortlisted candidates may be subjected to pre-entry and integrity/ethics assessments.
Successful candidates will also be subjected to personnel suitability checks, which may include verification of:
- Criminal records.
- Citizenship.
- Financial records.
- Qualifications.
- Previous dismissal for misconduct.
Applicants must also disclose relevant information regarding directorships or shareholding in companies, business conducted with organs of state and remunerative work outside their normal duties, where applicable.
The Department indicates that correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If applicants have not been contacted within three months after the closing date, they should consider their applications unsuccessful.
The Department also reserves the right not to make an appointment to the advertised post.
Employment Equity
The Department states that its strategic intent is to promote employment equity in terms of race, gender and disability through the filling of Graduate Internship Programme opportunities.
Appointments will be made with consideration of equitable representativity in line with the numeric targets contained in the Department’s Employment Equity Plan.
Why This Internship Is Worth Considering
The Mpumalanga Economic and Development Tourism Internship Programme could be valuable for graduates who want to establish a career in the tourism sector.
The opportunity combines a relevant academic qualification with structured workplace exposure, allowing successful candidates to develop practical skills and gain experience in a professional government environment.
The R8,174.75 monthly stipend can also provide financial support while interns gain experience over the 24-month programme.
However, applicants should remember that an internship is primarily a workplace learning and development opportunity. Participation does not automatically guarantee permanent employmentunless the Department explicitly states otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mpumalanga Tourism Internship Programme 2026 open for applications?
Yes. The opportunity was published on 14 August 2026, and applications close on 28 August 2026 at 16:00.
Who can apply?
Unemployed South African citizens who meet the qualification requirements can apply, provided they have not previously participated in an internship programme within a National or Provincial Government Department or State Institution.
What qualification is required?
Applicants need an appropriate three-year SAQA-recognised National Diploma or Degree in Tourism Management or Tourism Development.
How much is the internship stipend?
The advertised stipend is R8,174.75 per month.
How long is the internship?
The internship programme is intended to run for 24 months.
Is previous work experience required?
The advertisement states 0 years of experience, so previous work experience is not required for the advertised opportunity.
Where do I apply?
Applications must be submitted online through the Mpumalanga Provincial e-Recruitment Portal at:
https://erecruitment.mpg.gov.za
Applicants must register and create a profile before submitting their applications.
Can I apply by email or fax?
No. The Department states that manual, emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.
What is the reference number?
The reference number for this opportunity is DEDT 2026/27/12.
What is the closing date?
Applications close on Friday, 28 August 2026 at 16:00.
Final Thoughts
The Mpumalanga Economic and Development Tourism Internship Programme 2026/27 provides an opportunity for eligible unemployed tourism graduates to gain structured practical workplace experience.
With a R8,174.75 monthly stipend, a 24-month internship period and training relevant to the intern’s field of study, the programme may be particularly useful for graduates seeking to build experience in the tourism sector.
Before applying, make sure that you meet the qualification and eligibility requirements and have all the required documents ready.
Applications must be submitted through the official Mpumalanga Provincial e-Recruitment Portalbefore the 28 August 2026 at 16:00 deadline.
Applicants should always verify application details through the official Department and e-Recruitment channels and should never pay anyone to submit an application on their behalf.
Simphiwe Dube is the Founder and Managing Editor of sa-learnership.co.za, an independent South African platform dedicated to publishing accurate information about learnerships, bursaries, internships and skills development programmes.
He specialises in researching and verifying updates from official government departments, SETAs, TVET colleges and accredited institutions to ensure readers receive clear, reliable and up-to-date guidance.
Simphiwe is committed to simplifying complex education and career information so that South African students, graduates and job seekers can make informed decisions with confidence.