Summer Internships in South Africa

Who is Ikamva Labantwana Bethu (ILB)?

ILB are a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa that work with at-risk youth and disadvantaged families in hard-to-reach communities.

Their vision is to provide young people with the support to break free from the cycle of poverty and violence to reach their full potential.

ILB do this by addressing educational gaps, violence, and skills shortages through educational programmes, personal development, and skills training.

Just through their skills development programmes, ILB reach 225 unemployed young people a year, and through their community development work, have created more than 600 employment opportunities around Cape Town and Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape.

Despite operating in the most severely impacted communities, ILB is founded on the principle that resilience is everything.

The internships available are in:

• Education and Youth Development 
• Mental Health and Nutrition 
• Social Work 
• Community Outreach and Engagement 

Find more information about the types of internships available.

These internships are four-weeks long. The start and end dates can be chosen by you to allow flexibility and to make this opportunity possible around your schedule. The internship must fall between 31 May 2025 and 31 August 2025.

ILB are looking for interns who:

Are willing to work in the most challenging communities under the support and supervision of our staff;

• Possess good communication and leadership skills
• Are flexible and hard-working
• Sensitive and compassionate
• Innovative and self-driven
• And adaptive

Find specific intern profiles for each internship.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to all continuing undergraduate and postgraduate students (ie not completing their degree in June 2025).

ILB, established in 2012, have hosted many interns in the past that have gotten involved in the delivery of education and youth development programmes, as well as served as facilitators in many local school programmes. You can read testimonies from people who have benefited from ILB’s support, as well as past interns (pg. 21).

How to apply

Applications will open 13 January 2025 and close 5 March 10am.

This will be a strict deadline to be fair to all applicants. Please note applications will not be considered on a first come first served basis but will be collated after the deadline and considered together.

It is not recommended that you leave it to the last minute as you may miss the deadline. Only the strongest applicants will be considered; we recommend taking a look at our guidance so that you can write a strong application and increase your chances of successfully securing an internship. You may only apply to be considered for one internship.

In your application, you should demonstrate:

• How you meet ILB’s desired intern criteria
• Why you have chosen the internship you are applying for
• What skills and experience you will bring, as well as what you hope to gain from the internship
• Your motivation to travel and intern in South Africa.

This internship is unpaid, however application and programme fees will be waivered for Goldsmiths student applicants.

Interns will receive a grant for the duration of their placement which can be used to cover the costs of accommodation, travel and living costs.

The grant will be £527, or £651 (and £905 travel grant in addition) if you meet Turing Widening Access criteria (please note these figures are based on spending 31 days in South Africa). Shared accommodation in Cape Town is £400 a month, and £350 a month in Tarkastad; both on a self-catering basis. Private accommodation is of course optional and if desired, ILB can provide support with this.

These internships are an exciting and unique opportunity to gain practical experience assisting the most vulnerable youth in real time while working with trained staff who will provide support every step of the way.

In addition, interns will live in the area residing in secure accommodation with student safety being of utmost importance to ILB. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in a small tour of Cape Town including a garden route tour as well as fun activities like hiking and surfing, etc. Working hours are Monday-Friday 9-5 with weekends free to explore.

Successful students will be informed directly by the Global Opportunities team and will later take part in onboarding activities organised by ILB.

If you have any questions, please email goabroad@gold.ac.uk Key details on the internships can be found in the brochure and for more information on the organisation, please visit ikamvalabantwana.org/