Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Internships 2026-2028: Gain Experience in Various Fields

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) is offering internship opportunities for unemployed South African graduates from 2026 to 2028. This programme aims to provide valuable workplace experience across a range of fields, including agriculture, finance, IT, and law.

Application Closing Date: 30 November 2026 at 16:00
Location: Various locations across South Africa
Programme Duration: 24 months
Monthly Stipend: R8 174.75 (depending on qualification level)
Minimum Qualification: National Diploma, Degree, or equivalent
Opportunity Type: Internship

About the DLRRD Internship Programme

The DLRRD Internship Programme is designed to equip graduates with practical skills and exposure within the public service. It offers a structured learning environment for individuals looking to build a career in fields related to land reform and rural development. The programme covers a wide array of disciplines, ensuring diverse opportunities for applicants.

This initiative is crucial for developing a new generation of professionals who can contribute to the department’s mandate. It provides a stepping stone for graduates to gain essential work experience and understand the operational aspects of a government department.

About the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development is a government entity responsible for implementing policies and programmes related to land reform, land tenure, and rural development in South Africa. It plays a key role in addressing historical land imbalances and promoting sustainable land use and economic growth in rural areas.

The department operates at national, provincial, and regional levels, working to ensure equitable access to land and support for rural communities. Its work is vital for social justice and economic transformation across the country.

Available Internship Fields

The DLRRD is seeking graduates in numerous fields. Applicants should apply for the specific field that matches their qualification.

• Agriculture Internships: Qualifications in Crop Production, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Management, Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness Management, Rural Development, Development Studies, Animal Production, or Project Management.
• Animal Production Internships: Qualifications in Agriculture, Animal Production, Animal Nutrition, Livestock Production Systems, or Animal Breeding and Genetics.
• Business and Public Management Internships: Qualifications in Business Management, Economics, Public Management, or related fields.
• Community Development Internships: Qualifications in Social Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, Public Management, or Project Management.
• Disaster and Risk Management Internships: Qualifications in Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, Disaster Risk Management, Botany, or related fields.
• Finance, Accounting and Auditing Internships: Qualifications in Finance, Accounting, Financial Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Financial Management, Public Finance, Auditing, Internal Auditing, or Public Management.
• Property Management Internships: Qualifications in Property Management, Property Law, Real Estate, Property Studies, Public Management, Law, LLB, Regional Planning, or Social Sciences.
• Town, Urban and Regional Planning Internships: National Diploma or Degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, or related fields.
• Geographic Information Systems Internships: Qualifications in Geoinformatics, Geography, Cartography, Geomatics, Geographic Information Systems, Computer Science, or Surveying.
• Building and Civil Engineering Internships: National Diploma or Degree in Building, Civil Engineering, or related engineering disciplines.
• Civil Engineering, Geomatics and Quantity Surveying Internships: Qualifications in Civil Engineering, Geomatics, Information Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or Architecture.
• Human Resources Internships: Qualifications in Human Resource Management, Labour Relations, Labour Law, Public Management, Public Administration, Management of Training, Industrial Psychology, Human Resource Development, or Public Affairs.
• Records and Information Management Internships: Qualifications in Information Management, Records Management, Archives Management, Information Science, Public Administration, Public Management, Knowledge Management, or Library Information Science.
• Legal Internships: Qualifications in Law, LLB, BProc, Legal Secretary, Paralegal Studies, Humanities, or Social Sciences.
• Communications, Journalism and Marketing Internships: Qualifications in Communication, Public Relations, Media Studies, Journalism, or Marketing.
• Language Practice Internship: Qualifications in Language Practice, Linguistics, Translation Studies, Communications, or related fields.
• Information Technology Internships: Qualifications in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Development, Computer Systems Engineering, Information Systems, Information Management, or Business Information.
• Office Administration and Management Internships: Qualifications in Administration Management, Business Administration, Public Management, Public Relations, Social Science, Office Administration, Management Assistant, or Office Management and Technology.
• Environmental Management Internships: Qualifications in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Geography, or Environmental Planning.
• Security Services Internships: National Diploma or Degree in Security Management, Policing, or Police Science.
• Employee Health and Wellness Internships: Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Industrial Psychology, or Social Behavioural Studies.
• Supply Chain Management Internships: Qualifications in Public Management, Public Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, or Purchasing Management.
• Procurement and Contract Internships: National Diploma or Degree in Public Management, Public Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, or Purchasing Management.
• Project Management Internships: Qualifications in Project Management, Public Management, Information Technology Project Management, Development Studies, Construction Management, Infrastructure Development, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, or Administration.
• Land Reform and Tenure Internships: Qualifications in Social Sciences, Human Sciences, Law, LLB, Agriculture, or Agricultural Economics, focusing on Tenure Reform, Strategic Land Development, or Project Management and Land Acquisition.
• Surveying, GIS and Remote Sensing Internships: Qualifications in Geomatics, Surveying, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, or Geographic Information. Registration with the South African Geomatics Council may be required for some roles.
• Videography Internship: National Diploma or Degree in Video Production, Cinematography, Film Making, or related fields.
• Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Internship: Qualifications in Social Science, Community Development Studies, Disability Studies, or Public Management.
• Youth Development Internship: Diploma or Degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Project Management, or related fields.

What the Internship Offers

Successful interns will benefit from:

• Gaining 24 months of valuable work experience in a government department.
• Receiving a monthly stipend to support living expenses.
• Exposure to various aspects of land reform and rural development.
• Developing professional skills and understanding public service operations.
• Opportunities to network with professionals in their chosen fields.

Programme Duration and Location

The internship programme runs for a duration of 24 months. Opportunities are available across all nine provinces of South Africa, including national and provincial offices, as well as specific Deeds Registries.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following general requirements:

• Be an unemployed South African graduate.
• Hold a relevant National Diploma, Degree, or equivalent qualification for the internship field applied for.
• Have completed Grade 12 where required.
• Not have participated in a Public Service internship programme before.
• Not have previously served as a contract worker in the Public Service.
• Submit a separate application for each internship field.

Competencies Required

While specific competencies may vary by field, general skills beneficial for this internship include:

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Willingness to learn and adapt.
• Basic computer literacy.
• Attention to detail.

Who Should Apply?

This internship programme is ideal for unemployed graduates who have recently completed their studies and are eager to gain practical experience in the public sector. It is particularly suited for those interested in contributing to land reform, rural development, and related fields. If you are a driven individual looking to kick-start your career and make a meaningful impact, this opportunity is for you.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare the following documents for their application:

• Completed Z83 application form.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Relevant academic transcripts or certificates.
• Any other supporting documents specified in the advertisement.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide certified copies of their ID and qualifications.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted in two ways:

1. Hand Delivery: Applications can be hand-delivered to the relevant provincial or national office addresses provided in the official advert. Ensure you clearly indicate the field of study you are applying for.
2. Online Portal (Deeds Registries): For internship opportunities at the Office of the Chief Registrar of Deeds and participating Deeds Registries, applications can be submitted through the official Deeds portal: Click here to apply for DLRRD Deeds Registry Internships 2026-2028.

Remember to submit a separate application for each internship field you are interested in.

Important Notes

Please take note of the following important information:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Late applications will not be considered.
• Ensure that you apply for only one field per application.
• Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA.
• The department reserves the right not to fill advertised positions.
• DLRRD is an equal opportunity employer.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 30 November 2026 at 16:00. Ensure your application is submitted well before this deadline.

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