The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has opened applications for its Graduate Internship Programme 2026, and the deadline is only a few weeks away. This is a timely chance for unemployed South African graduates to start a career in the public sector while earning a monthly stipend of R12,000.
What the opportunity is
The CIPC is offering two graduate‑internship tracks at its Sunnyside office in Pretoria, Gauteng. Internships run for either 12 months or 24 months, depending on the field. All interns receive a fixed stipend of R12 000 per month.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- South African citizen
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Currently unemployed
- Completed a recognised qualification
- No prior work experience in the chosen field
- Never participated in a government internship programme
- Available for interview when asked
Internship tracks
Strategic Communication (2 posts)
- Reference: CIP260703-1
- Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
- Duration: 24 months
- Stipend: R12 000 per month
- Closing date: 16 July 2026
- Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma in Media Studies, Communication, Journalism or Public Relations
- What you will do: internal communication, media relations, public‑awareness campaigns, digital communication, corporate branding, stakeholder engagement, content creation, social‑media management and corporate publications
Apply for the Strategic Communication internship here
Innovation and Collaboration (2 posts)
- Reference: CIP260702-1
- Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
- Duration: 12 months
- Stipend: R12 000 per month
- Closing date: 13 July 2026
- Required qualification: Degree or National Diploma in Computer Science with a focus on Software Development or Mobile Application Development
- Additional criteria: Minimum aggregate 75 % and participation in at least one hackathon
- What you will do: work on software projects, develop mobile apps, support digital transformation initiatives and collaborate on innovative solutions
Apply for the Innovation and Collaboration internship here
What you gain (benefits and skills)
- Monthly stipend of R12 000
- Hands‑on experience in a government department
- Professional communication, teamwork and problem‑solving skills
- Project coordination and stakeholder‑management experience
- Digital literacy and technical competencies (especially for the Innovation track)
- Better employability after the internship ends
How to apply (step‑by‑step)
- Update your CV so it reflects your most recent education and any projects or volunteer work.
- Gather the required documents:
- South African ID (scan)
- Qualification certificate (and transcript for the Innovation track)
- Academic transcript if you are applying for Innovation and Collaboration
- For the Innovation track, combine all documents into a single PDF (the system only accepts one upload).
- Visit the official CIPC recruitment portal and create an account.
- Select the internship you want, fill in the online form and upload your PDF(s).
- Review everything carefully and submit before the closing date (13 July for Innovation, 16 July for Strategic Communication).
Tips to improve your chances
- Proofread your CV and cover letter; avoid spelling mistakes.
- List all tertiary qualifications and include your final grade.
- Highlight relevant university projects, especially any hackathon participation for the Innovation track.
- Mention leadership roles, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.
- Include any technical skills or software you know (e.g., Adobe Suite, programming languages).
- Upload clear, readable PDF files – blurry scans will be rejected.
- Submit your application early; the system can become slow close to the deadline.
Conclusion and next steps
If you meet the eligibility criteria, start preparing your documents today. A complete and well‑presented application gives you the best chance of being shortlisted for a CIPC graduate internship. These internships are a recognised pathway into permanent employment, especially for graduates in communication, public relations, journalism, software development and IT.
Good luck, and remember to apply before the closing dates!
