Unisa’s 2024 internship programme in full swing

An upbeat and energised audience comprising of interns and mentors were in attendance as Dr Phumzile Dlamini, Acting Executive Director, Human Resources, welcomed them to the 2024 Internship Orientation Programme. This year’s orientation session was  held at the OR Tambo Building on Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus, on 08 February 2024.

Some of the interns and mentors in attendance

Appointment of the 70 participating graduates forms part of Unisa’s mission to mitigate the unemployment rate and shape the future in the service of humanity by empowering its graduates. They joined the 80 graduates who joined the programme last year – the combined group of 150 is quite the largest ever facilitated at Unisa through the programme.

Dr Phumzile Dlamini, Acting Executive Director: Human Resources

In her welcome address, Dlamini said the purpose of the internship programme is to increase job opportunities, create employability for interns in the market, and also increase the number of capabilities, competencies, skills, and abilities over and above the theory that they've learned in the university. “This,” she said, “is very important, since our graduates must know how to practically apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained in the actual world of work.

From left, Azwafarwi Mavhungu, Mmathapelo Masilela, and Mosalauno Mercy Mukhadi

We spoke to three attendees at the event – here is what they shared:

Azwafarwi Mavhungu, a mentor in the Human Resources Department, said she believe it's time to share her knowledge and experience with interns. “I strongly believe that one should not limit someone's willingness to learn and develop themselves. As much as I will be transferring skills to the interns, I am also looking forward to learning from them.”  Mavhungu acknowledged that she was born before the rise of modern technology, and the younger generation is more advanced in that area. “Therefore,” she concluded, “their presence in the workspace will be highly useful to the department.”

Mmathapelo Masilela, an intern at the Department of Institutional Intelligence, said the internship programme has opened her eyes to Unisa’s impact on the country, and has renewed her determination to continue her journey with the institution to the PhD level. “The internship has equipped me to create my work after the end of the programme,” she said. “I hope have acquired the skills to complete my honours degree, and the confidence to conceptualise and complete research projects.

Mosalauno Mercy Mukhadi, an intern at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Department of Laboratory and Horticulture Research, had this to say: "I feel honoured as it will help me put my theoretical skills into practice and gain knowledge and experience in my field and profession. I hope to gain valuable experience and, one day, be my own boss in the remarkable agricultural industry.”

* By Remembrance Manganyi, Kgothatso Mojela, Kagiso Moroatsehla, Nomusa Ngema and Seyabonga Thipe, journalism interns at the Department of Institutional Advancement