Integrated Service Excellence Programme 2026 – 12-Month Youth Opportunity with R4,600 Monthly Stipend

The Department of Tourism, in partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), is recruiting unemployed youth for the Integrated Service Excellence Programme.

The programme is available at selected SANBI sites in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Western Cape.

Successful participants will receive a 12-month contract and a stipend of R200 per day for 23 days, equivalent to R4,600 per month.

The opportunity is aimed at young South Africans who are passionate about tourism and the environment.

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Programme Details

Job Description

Participants will be recruited to work at participating SANBI workplaces and tourism sites.

The programme is suitable for young people who are passionate about tourism, the environment and biodiversity and who are willing to perform various duties according to SANBI's workplace requirements and skills needs.

Participants must be prepared to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays, where required.

What You Will Do

Successful participants may be required to:

• Perform various duties based on SANBI workplace requirements.
• Support activities at participating tourism and biodiversity sites.
• Work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays when required.
• Carry out duties according to the skills and operational needs of the workplace.
• Work in a professional environment focused on tourism and the environment.

What You Need to Succeed

Applicants must meet the following selection criteria:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be aged 18–35 years.
• Have a Matric/Grade 12 certificate.
• Provide a certified copy of your Matric certificate.
• Provide a certified copy of your ID.
• Provide proof of residence, such as a municipal bill, Tribal Authority letter or another relevant document.
• Declare any previous participation in Department of Tourism learnerships or skills programmes in your application letter.
• Be available to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays, when required.
• Be willing to perform various duties based on SANBI workplace requirements and skills needs.
• Have reliable transport to and from work.
• Applicants must live no further than 50 kilometres from the participating site.

Previous Programme Participants

Applicants who previously participated in the Tourism Monitors Programme are not eligible.

Applicants who have participated in other Department of Tourism learnerships or skills programmes must declare this in their application letter.

Additional Requirements

• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Applications missing required documents will not be considered.
• Short-listed candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability.
• Successful candidates will be subject to criminal record checks.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Participating Sites

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden
2 Swartkops Road, Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg

Gauteng

Three participating sites are listed:

• Pretoria National Botanical Garden – 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Pretoria
• Pretoria National Zoological Garden – 232 Boom Street, Pretoria
• Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden – Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort

Mpumalanga

Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Off Madiba Drive (R40), Mbombela (Nelspruit)

Limpopo

Two participating sites are listed:

• Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre – Thabo Mbeki Drive (Route R101 North), Mokopane
• Thohoyandou National Zoological Garden – 451 Garden Route, Thohoyandou Unit D, Thohoyandou

Northern Cape

Hantam National Botanical Garden
Oorlogskloof Road, Nieuwoudtville, Hantam

Western Cape

Three participating sites are listed:

• Harold Porter National Botanical Garden – Cnr Clarence Drive (R44) & Broadwith Rd, Betty's Bay
• Karoo Desert National Zoological Garden – 108 Roux Road, Worcester
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – Rhodes Drive (M63), Newlands, Cape Town

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Stipend and Contract Duration

Successful participants will receive:

R200 per day × 23 days = R4,600 per month

The contract duration is:

12 months

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via SA Youth.

Application Process

1. Visit the SA Youth platform.
2. Register if you do not already have an account.
3. If you are already registered, log in.
4. Once registered, opportunities will be shown based on your address.
5. Search for “Tourism Ambassador Programme” if the relevant opportunity does not automatically appear.
6. Select the applicable opportunity and complete your application.
7. Upload/provide the required information and documents.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The advert states that SA Youth is free and does not require data.

Documents You Need

Applicants should have:

• Certified copy of Matric/Grade 12 certificate.
• Certified copy of ID.
• Proof of residence.
• Application letter containing the required declaration regarding previous Department of Tourism programmes.

Applications without the required documents will not be considered.

Closing Date

18 September 2026 at 23:59

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you are not contacted within two weeks of the closing date, your application was unsuccessful.

Important Information

Applicants must stay within 50 kilometres of the participating site.

Successful candidates will be subject to criminal record checks.

Applicants should also be prepared to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays, where required.

For assistance with SA Youth applications, the advert provides the following contact details:

SA Youth: 0800 72 72 72
Hours: 09:00–16:30, Monday–Friday

iYouth Application Tips

• Make sure your ID, Matric certificate and proof of residence are ready.
• Check that you live within 50 km of the site you are applying for.
• Select the correct opportunity based on your location.
• Declare any previous participation in Department of Tourism programmes where required.
• Apply early instead of waiting until the final day.

See Also Other Categories:

• Various Government Posts
• General Worker Jobs
• Internship Opportunities
• Learnership Programmes
• Career Advice & Job Search Tips

iYouth Disclaimer

iYouth shares opportunities to help South African job seekers and unemployed youth access available programmes. Applicants should verify all information on the official application platform before submitting personal information. iYouth does not charge applicants to apply.