The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), KwaZulu-Natal, has announced its Graduate Internship Programme for 2027/29, inviting unemployed graduates to apply for structured workplace training opportunities across various fields.
The programme is part of the Department’s contribution to skills development initiatives aligned with the National Skills Development Strategy III (NSDS III), New Growth Path (NGP), Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS), and National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030. Successful applicants will receive valuable workplace experience designed to enhance their skills and employment prospects. The 24-month internship programme also provides successful interns with a monthly stipend/allowance from the Department.
KwaZulu-Natal EDTEA Graduate Internship Programme 2027/29
The Department is offering opportunities to graduates who hold a relevant:
- Three-year Degree at NQF Level 7
- Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7
- National Diploma at NQF Level 6
- Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8
Qualifications must be obtained from a recognised university, university of technology or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college.
Programme duration: 24 months
Closing date: 2 October 2026
Department: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Application website: kznedtea.gov.za – Professional Vacancies
Internship opportunities and number of posts
| Programme / Field | Posts |
|---|---|
| Programme 1: Administration | 44 |
| Office Support – MEC Office | 2 |
| HOD Office Support | 3 |
| Risk & Integrity Management | 1 |
| Internal Audit | 1 |
| Monitoring & Evaluation | 2 |
| Public Entities Oversight | 3 |
| Strategic Planning | 2 |
| Intergovernmental Relations | 1 |
| Finance | 3 |
| Finance – Budget | 2 |
| Asset Management | 2 |
| Supply Chain Management | 7 |
| Internal Control | 1 |
| Human Resource Management | 4 |
| Employee Health & Wellness | 1 |
| Information Technology | 2 |
| Telecommunications | 2 |
| Communications & Marketing | 2 |
| Registry | 1 |
| Facilities Management | 1 |
| Fleet Management | 1 |
| Programme 2: Integrated Economic Development Services | 27 |
| Small Business Development – Area 1 | 5 |
| Small Business Development – Area 2 | 4 |
| Co-operatives – Area 1 | 2 |
| Co-operatives – Area 2 | 2 |
| Economic Empowerment | 3 |
| RLED – Capacity Building | 1 |
| RLED – MTES | 1 |
| Business Regulation | 2 |
| Consumer Protection | 7 |
| Programme 3: Trade Sector & Tourism Development | 16 |
| Tourism Development | 6 |
| Strategic Industrial Interventions | 5 |
| Agribusiness/Agro Processing | 1 |
| Trade & Investment Promotions | 1 |
| Forestry & Furniture | 1 |
| Creative Economy | 1 |
| Office of the DDG | 1 |
| Programme 4: Economic Research, Strategy & Planning | 22 |
| District Operations Management | 13 |
| Policy & Planning | 2 |
| Research & Modelling | 3 |
| Knowledge Management | 1 |
| Economic Analysis & Economic Impact | 2 |
| Statistic Database | 1 |
| Programme 5: Environmental/Empowerment Management Services | 30 |
| Environmental Management Services | 30 |
Total number of internships
Across the five programmes, the Department is offering 139 graduate internship opportunities for the 2027/29 intake. The opportunities cover areas including public administration, finance, human resources, information technology, communications, supply chain management, economics, business development, tourism, environmental sciences, law, research, planning and other related fields.
Who can apply?
- Applications are open to unemployed graduates who possess the relevant qualifications specified for the internship field. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements attached to the particular internship programme.
- Applicants with foreign qualifications must provide an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
- Applicants must also submit a signed affidavit confirming that they have not previously benefited from an internship programme offered by a national or provincial government department or local municipality.
How to apply
- Applicants must complete the new Z83 Application for Employment form, which became effective from 1 January 2021. The form must be fully completed, signed and dated.
- The completed Z83 must be accompanied by an updated detailed CV. Applicants are required to provide employment dates using the DD/MM/YYYY format.
- The Department states that applicants should submit their applications directly to the relevant Head Office or District Office.
Applications can also be submitted by post to:
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Private Bag X9152
Pietermaritzburg
3200
Alternatively, applications may be hand delivered to:
Ground Floor
270 Jabu Ndlovu Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201
Applications should be placed in the vacancy box provided for the attention of Ms W. Mkhulise. Applicants are discouraged from using registered mail because the Department will not accept responsibility for non-collection of applications.
Application offices
Applications may be submitted to the following offices:
Head Office:
270 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg
eThekwini District Office:
The Marine Building, 22 Dorothy Nyembe Street, 8th Floor, Durban
Ugu District Office:
46 Bisset Street, Port Shepstone
Harry Gwala District Office:
1 Northway Drive, Ixopo
iLembe District Office:
Albert House, Corner of Link Road and R102, Stanger
uThukela District Office:
20 Buckingham Street, Ladysmith
Amajuba District Office:
Harding Office Park, 50 Harding Street, Newcastle
uMzinyathi District Office:
26 Beaconsfield Street, Entrance 3, Dundee
Zululand District Office:
LA Building, Prince Mangosuthu Street / King Dinuzulu Highway, Ulundi B
uMkhanyakude District Office:
Mkuze, ERF 60, Mzolozolo Avenue, Mkuze, 3969
King Cetshwayo District Office:
ERF 11637, Veldenvlei, South Ext 3, 3 Aloe Loop Street, Richards Bay
uMkhanyakude District Office – Mtubatuba:
Lot 55d Kiepersol Street, Riverview Road, Mtubatuba
Important information for applicants
- Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide certified documents on or before the interview date after receiving communication from Human Resources.
- The Department may also require shortlisted candidates to undergo a competency test.
- Applicants who have not been contacted within three months after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
- Appointments will be subject to the required verification and security checks, including qualification, citizenship and previous employment verification. Reference checks may also be conducted with current or previous employers.
Closing date
The closing date for the KwaZulu-Natal EDTEA Graduate Internship Programme 2027/29 is 2 October 2026. Interested graduates are encouraged to carefully check the qualification, reference number and location of the internship they are applying for and ensure that the required Z83, CV and affidavit are submitted before the deadline.
Official application link
Applications and the official vacancy information are available through the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs professional vacancies page: Apply for EDTEA Graduate Internship Programme 2027/29
Enquiries: Ms Winno Mkhulise
Email: Winno.Mkhulise@kznedtea.gov.za
Tel: 033 264 2684 / 079 251 9525
