VerifiedMetropolitan municipalities are among the largest employers of graduate interns in Gauteng, and the City of Ekurhuleni recruits through a portal of its own. Its finance internships are the ones we are asked about most, but the rules below apply across the city’s departments.
The residency rule
This is the requirement that surprises people. The city asks that applicants be residents of the City of Ekurhuleni. The metro covers Germiston, Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Springs, Brakpan, Nigel, Alberton, Edenvale, Tembisa, Daveyton, Katlehong, Vosloorus, Thokoza, KwaThema, Tsakane and Duduza, among others. If you live in Johannesburg or Tshwane, this is not your municipality, and those metros run their own programmes.
Who qualifies
- A Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma in the field named in the advert. For finance internships that has meant Accounting, Economics, Finance, Risk Management or Auditing.
- South African citizenship.
- Residence in the City of Ekurhuleni.
- Currently unemployed.
- No previous participation in a similar internship.
- Under 35 years old.
- Applicants living with disabilities are encouraged to apply, and the city recruits under employment equity guidelines.
What it pays, and what it is not
Recent finance internships advertised from about R4 833 a month on a temporary internship contract. Two things follow. First, that is a municipal internship rate, well below the graduate internship stipends paid by national departments, so compare before you commit. Second, the city states plainly that an internship does not guarantee permanent employment afterwards.
How to apply without falling at the first hurdle
- Register on the City of Ekurhuleni eRecruitment portal and complete your profile fully before you start an application.
- Find the advert and note its reference number, which looks like XFIN0055 for a finance post.
- Apply online. The city does not accept hand-delivered or emailed applications for these posts.
- Attach everything the advert lists. Incomplete applications and missing documents are not considered.
- Be ready to prove your qualification level, since shortlisted candidates may be asked for proof of the NQF level of their qualification.
If you have not heard back within eight weeks of the closing date, the city says to regard your application as unsuccessful. Diarise that date and move on rather than waiting.
The rest of local government
- Other Gauteng metros run their own portals and their own residency rules.
- LGSETA is the SETA for local government, and it funds learnerships and skills programmes across municipalities.
- National departments pay more and run 24-month programmes. See how the public service advertises.
- If you have no degree yet, a municipality is unlikely to take you as an intern. A learnership is the route that starts from Matric.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Ekurhuleni to apply?
Yes. The city requires that interns be residents of the City of Ekurhuleni, which covers Germiston, Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Tembisa, Katlehong and the other towns in the metro.
What do City of Ekurhuleni interns earn?
Recent finance internships advertised from about R4 833 a month on a temporary contract. The advert always carries the current figure.
How do I apply?
Online through the city’s eRecruitment portal, quoting the reference number in the advert. Hand-delivered and emailed applications are not accepted.
How long until I hear back?
If there is no response within eight weeks of the closing date, the city says to consider the application unsuccessful.
