Twenty-two workplace-ready young graduates – armed mainly with knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry – were released on to the jobs market last week after completing their two-year internship programme with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.

Four years ago, the interns began the internship programme, which was extended by another two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this period, they gained valuable experience and expertise in tourism information, tourism development, destination marketing, public relations and communications; research and development; supply-chain management; human resource management; financial administration; executive office management, as well as business events bidding and hosting.

Phindile Makwakwa, Acting CEO of Tourism KZN, said the tourism authority had introduced internships to help close the country’s skills gap. “The hands-on work experience that trainees receive is invaluable and cannot be achieved in the classroom, making it one of the most important benefits of internships.”

Makwakwa pointed out that the graduates of the programme not only acquired on-the-job experience and knowledge but also gained softer skills such as professionalism, leadership and how to communicate effectively.

“Although our internship programme does not guarantee employment at TKZN, I am pleased and proud to say that some of our former interns have been fully employed in government departments and in the private sector. Over the years, Tourism KZN has also employed some of our former interns through a competitive recruitment process. This speaks to the quality of experience that they gain through our internship programme.”

Makwakwa said many businesses used internships as a means of improving their recruitment efforts and, even if a job offer did not occur immediately, an intern who made a favourable impression might receive an offer down the line when an opening occurred.        

Amanda Ngcobo, who attained a Diploma in Eco-Tourism Management from the Durban University of Technology, has been an intern with TKZN’s Tourism Development department, which promotes responsible tourism destination development and contributes towards transformation of KwaZulu Natal’s tourism sector.

“Tourism KZN gave me the opportunity to work in and out of the office where we helped uplift several communities within KZN. I learned that there are hidden tourism attractions around the province, and I was lucky enough to experience being part of steering committees of big tourism development projects.

“I assisted with feasibility studies for new projects and worked closely with SMMEs, linking them up with business support programmes,” she said.

Khajal Kramlal, a B.Soc.Sc. Psychology and B.Soc.Sc. Hons Industrial Psychology graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal said, apart from developing confidence and people skills, the four-year internship at Tourism KZN helped her to develop the necessary professional skills to become a successful human resources practitioner.

“I worked alongside great mentors, receiving continuous support and encouragement and was given many opportunities to learn and grow at TKZN.”

Noluvuyo Matshoba graduated with a Diploma in Public Relations Management from the Nelson Mandela University and has been an intern in the Public Relations and Communications department that drives Tourism KZN’s communications, aimed at enhancing a positive destination image.

“It has been an amazing experience and I learned about stakeholder management, events support and had the opportunity of travelling to many parts of the beautiful province of KZN,” she said.

Savuma Mchunu, a Bachelor of Arts: Culture and Heritage Tourism graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal completed his four-year internship in the Convention Bureau department, which focuses on bids for business events nationally and internationally.

Mchunu said he had gained a vast amount of experience and had had the opportunity to work in a corporate environment.

“I also learned how to network and engage with different people in the events industry and co-ordinating business events.”

Tourism KZN is in the process of interviewing candidates for the 2022-2024 internship.