From Left: CoGTA Chief Director Cooperate Services - Mamorena Lehoko, Vice Chancellor of NWU Bismark Tyobeka, One of the Graduates and HoD for CoGTA, Dr Ben Bole.
Mahikeng
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and North West University (NWU), has concluded a three-year internship programme that has successfully placed 100 graduates across 22 municipalities in the North West Province.
The programme, which commenced on 03 July 2023, was celebrated during a Certification Ceremony held at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. The initiative forms part of government’s broader commitment to address youth unemployment through workplace-based learning.
Addressing the ceremony, Head of Department (HOD) Dr Ben Bole highlighted the programme’s success in providing “valuable workplace skills and experience.” The initiative was designed to transition graduates from higher education into the workforce, equipping them with the practical experience necessary for sustainable employment.
The programme covered graduates from various disciplines, including Commerce, Financial Management, Public Administration, Built Environment, Information Technology, and Environmental Sciences. North West University Vice Chancellor, Professor Bismark Tyobeka, commended the municipalities for providing mentorship to the interns. He emphasized that supervision is vital to the success of such programmes.
“Internship without mentorship can become a mere placement. Your investment transformed placement into learning, professional formation and for some a pathway into sustainable employment,” said Professor Tyobeka.
Dr Bole reiterated that the programme directly responds to the vision of the National Development Plan (NDP) to build a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
He stated that the initiative aligns with the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS), which prioritises economic growth, infrastructure development, employment creation, and social development. Furthermore, the programme supports the National Youth Policy and the government’s urgent response to rising unemployment rates.
The department has reported tangible results from the programme with graduates securing permanent employment.
“I am pleased to report that 19 interns have secured permanent employment in both the public and public sectors. Some have been permanently absorbed within municipalities”.
“This demonstrates that the programme has achieved its objective of transitioning graduates from learning to earning and building the internal capacity of various institutions” added Dr Bole.
Department of COGTA has committed to expanding these initiatives by enrolling more interns in line with the Professionalization Framework to ensure a seamless pipeline from education to employment.
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