Marketing and Communications Internship in Cape Town

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Assist with digital marketing, communications, and fundraising to spread the message of Ubuntu.

This grass-roots social enterprise is based in a township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Support their valuable work at the community center where they provide children with troubled backgrounds each day a safe and stimulating space to go to.

As an intern, you’ll assist with the day to day running of the center and, depending on your knowledge and experience, assist with their digital marketing, communications, (digital) fundraising activities. This Marketing and Communications internship is a great opportunity to gain practical working experience while at the same time contribute and be involved in a worthwhile and very much needed project.

ORGANIZATION

Ubuntu Project is a social development organization that works in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town that deals with a high level of social issues such as poverty, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and HIV/AIDS. Ubuntu’s main focus is the Ubuntu Centre, a community center that directs resources to the community and cares for between 60 and 100 children every day. The children are from families that lack the resources to provide them with daycare, and the center offers a safe and educative space on a daily basis. They also offer the children healthy meals. Many of the children have experienced traumas and receive as much emotional support as possible at the center. The organization also supports a number of daycare centers in the township that are run by the grandmothers and mothers of the community.

TASKS & REQUIreMENTS

As an intern, your role will be designed according to your specific skills, academic focus, and desired learning outcomes.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with Digital Marketing and Communication strategy and content creation: social media run (Facebook, Instagram), newsletter, blog post and website
  • Identify fundraising opportunities locally or internationally and assist with (online) fundraising campaigns
  • Maintain donor relations
  • Assist in day-to-day management of the center, volunteer coordination and administrative tasks
  • Support the design and implementation of development projects at the
  • Ubuntu center or within the community
  • Assist in Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Every intern will regularly be involved in helping create stimulating, educative, and fun activities and offering organizational support to a number of daycare centers in Masiphumelele

Project hours

                                    Monday-Thursday                                    Friday
08:30-12:30               Morning projects                                      Morning projects
12:30-14:00               Lunch                                                          Lunch
14:30-16:30               Afternoon projects                                        –

The weekends are off unless you are assisting with volunteer house arrivals/departures.

Requirements

  • Preferably background or experience in Communications, (Digital) Marketing or Journalism or similar.
  • Good social skills
  • Good English writing skills
  • Experience and/or interest in Fundraising is a nice to have
  • Enjoy working with children and people of different cultures
  • Interest in community projects
  • Open minded and creative

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

You’ll stay at a comfortable and welcoming volunteer house in a picturesque suburb of Cape Town, on the Southern Peninsula. It’s a great setting; you’ll be surrounded by beaches and mountains, and the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach is only a 5-minute drive away. The house hosts people from around the world that are volunteering in the surrounding communities, which creates a wonderfully international vibe. The nearest shops and restaurants are a 5-minute drive away, and Cape Town’s city center is a 40-minute drive away. It’s easy to take Ubers and make your way around.

Safety & Support

Safety & Support

Be sure to prioritize hydration in the summer to avoid heatstroke. South Africa does have high crime rates, so it’s important to be aware and use common sense to stay safe. Some safety guidelines are to always walk in groups, take a taxi/Uber in the evenings, know safe/dangerous areas, secure your belongings, don’t walk around with large sums of cash (you can pay everything with a card), minimize wearing flashy accessories, and be cautious of overly friendly strangers.

Communication

Communication

The accommodation offers free Wi-Fi to keep family and friends up to date via WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. Cafes/restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. You can also consider getting a local SIM card if your phone is unlocked, or setting your phone’s status to roaming, depending on your provider’s rates.

Meals

Meals

A simple breakfast and a delicious cooked dinner (vegetarian & vegan options available) from Monday to Friday are included in your fee. Indulge in local dishes, like bobotie and South African Braai! For desserts, don’t miss out on milk tarts and malva pudding. There is a diverse food scene in Cape Town, so no matter your cuisine preference or dietary restrictions you’ll have plenty of options. Let us know in advance if you have any allergies/dietary needs.

Location details

Location details

Discover Cape Town’s attractions: Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, city tours, historical sites, and the Cape Point Peninsula. There are also opportunities to surf, kayak, paraglide, cage dive with sharks, and more! Cape Town has a mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers so be sure to check what the temperature will be like during your stay.

DATES & RATES

Fee Breakdown

You can start your internship with this organization every Monday. Please keep in mind this organization is closed for one month of summer holiday at the end of the year.

What you’ll pay (2024 rates)

8 WEEKS USD 2,415

12 WEEKS USD 3,270

16 WEEKS USD 4,125

20 WEEKS USD 4,980

At Roots, we do everything we can to make your internship experience smooth and hassle-free. We offer an all-inclusive service, which means we will help you find the right internship (we believe we are great matchmakers!), help you with visa arrangements, book accommodation for you in Cape Town, give you all the pre-departure information you need before arriving, pick you up from the airport and check in with you while on your work placement to ensure you feel supported. Your exact fee depends on the duration of your stay, so if you tell us how long you would like to stay, we can give you an exact quote.

Inclusions

  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
  • Accommodation in a shared room. If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices.
  • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Breakfast and dinner from Monday to Friday
  • Wifi access
  • Assistance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
  • An orientation program with your supervisor
  • Supervision and support during your stay
  • Regular check-ins during your internship with your supervisor
  • Troubleshooting if needed
  • A reference letter at the end of your internship
  • A discount on weekend activities, exclusive to Roots Interns

Exclusions

  • Flights to Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport)
  • Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals over the weekend
  • Daily transport to the project
  • Lunch, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING

FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in South Africa.

What can I expect from a NGO internship in South Africa?

During your internship in South Africa you can expect to meet people from around the world, as well as indulging yourself into the culture of this beautiful country! If you want to know more about what to expect, make sure to check out our top 7 reasons for an internship in Cape Town.

Will I have time to explore South Africa during my internship?

Yes! We partner with various activity organizers that can offer discounts exclusive to Roots Interns, for example, a road trip through the Garden Route and bungee jumping off the world’s largest natural bungee. You may also explore the country on your own and we are happy to give recommendations.

Am I able to do an internship while on a study program in Cape Town?

Yes! You are able to do a part-time internship with certain organizations so that you can continue your studies, while also gaining valuable work experience.

Will I receive a stipend of any kind during my internship with Roots?

Unfortunately, no. When working with a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but there are many ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth that are invaluable!

QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
PROGRAM FOCUS: Nonprofit, community projects
TASK FOCUS: Project Management, Communications, Marketing, Fundraising
LENGTH: 8-26 Weeks
COST: From USD 2,832

REVIEWS

“It's a wonderous time to be a part of the journey. I strongly believe that more and more interns working here could be the next level to even greater accomplishments. The outcome of how brilliant this experience can be results in how much engagement you put into it. With a large amount of freedom to see what you can create, whether it be a documentary, blog writing, or fundraising events, you can really let this project be the canvas of your creativity, and with the intent being that you are here to support, stand as a good representation, a contributor not a saviour and prove to yourself what you are capable of and lastly; to listen to the message of Ubuntu and discover your own interpretation of it.”

Denver, United KingdomMarketing and Communications Internship, Cape Town
READ MORE REVIEWS

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gain experience in project management, communications, marketing, and fundraising
  • Contribute to a charity on a mission to spread the message of Ubuntu and achieve happiness for the children
  • Gain a full insight in the day to day running of a community project
  • Plenty of opportunity to help out with fun and stimulating activities for the children at the community center
  • Live and work in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world
  • Enjoy exploring South Africa’s many highlights during your time off
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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