WWF South Africa has played a pioneering role in shaping the future of South Africa's environmental sector through its graduate internship programme, which connects post-graduate students with real-world opportunities in organisations across the country.
This paid internship programme offers a critical stepping stone for young professionals, providing 12 months of structured, mentored work experience designed to develop skills, grow networks, and launch meaningful careers.
The programme started in 2011 when the first seven interns were placed with WWF. The second intake of eight interns included the first placement of an intern with a partner organisation.
Since then, the programme has recruited a total of 251 interns working in more than 40 partner organisations. The initiative has seen close to 80% of interns move on to full-time employment and 18% going on to further their studies.
Every two years, funding permitting, a new cohort of graduates is selected based on their academic background and a demonstrated passion for environmental impact.
Interns are placed within a host organisation -- ranging from conservation NGOs to government entities like SANParks -- and paired with a trained mentor to guide them through their transition into the professional world.
The current 2025 cohort of 19 interns started their internships in April this year. Five of them are working on GIS mapping, two are climate scientists and the rest work in disciplines ranging from environmental law to communications, and plant taxonomy -- highlighting the growing demand for multi-disciplinary approaches to sustainability.
"This programme is more than a bridge into the workforce," says Yolande Jacobs, head of People & Culture at WWF South Africa. "It's a foundation for transformative change in South Africa's environmental landscape."
Prudence Mamello Khomo started her internship in April 2025 working as a GIS technician with M.A.P Scientific Services (MAPSS).
Prudence was raised in Harrismith in the Free State and completed an MSC in GIS and remote sensing at the University of Witwatersrand. She was inspired by a geography high school teacher who introduced her to "the fascinating ways natural and human systems interact".
She says "Ultimately, I want to contribute to a future where technology and nature work hand in hand to create sustainable and thriving communities. Whether it's through mapping vulnerable areas or tracking land use changes, I believe geospatial tools are key to bridging the gap between science and policy for the benefit of people and planet."
"I am excited to learn from experts in the field and look forward to contributing to meaningful work that supports environmental sustainability. I am also excited about gaining practical experience that will shape my future as an environmental GIS specialist. I am eager to develop my skills in communicating complex spatial information effectively to diverse audiences."
Oscar Maeyer started his internship in April this year as a climate scientist with SANParks.
Oscar grew up in Prince Albert in the Karoo and studied politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at the University of Cape Town, later completing an MSC in governance of sustainability at Leiden University in the Netherlands. In his new role, Oscar participates in climate readiness planning, park management and a public mural campaign.
He says: "I am passionate about the complexity of life and how humans relate to the rest of nature. I thrive on bridging knowledge systems across disciplines and applying insights creatively."
His internship has given him the freedom to engage deeply in a range of exciting projects. "It allows me to work to my strengths and feel intrinsically motivated...I am also drawn to working in natural spaces and contributing to more inclusive approaches to conservation where fortress-style thinking is questioned and diverse stakeholders are included. I hope to help shift how we see people not as separate from nature, but people as nature"
For more on the WWF Graduate Internships Programme, see: WWF Graduate Internships. The next intake will be in 2027, funding permitting.