Nonprofit Internship in Cape Town: Digital Marketing and Sales

Monkeybiz is a non-profit beading project supporting women in Khayelitsha, one of Cape Town’s largest townships. Monkeybiz is dedicated to reviving the tradition of African beadwork by taking the love and knowledge that is passed down, over the centuries, from mother to child and turning this into contemporary artworks. These are then sold online and through various shops, and the artists are empowered bead by bead to become breadwinners and community leaders. As a result, women are financially empowered, crafters become artists, and the art of beadwork is revived.

Monkeybiz started simply with a beaded doll. Back in 1999, Barbara Jackson and Shirley Fintz, both South African ceramicists and African art collectors, had a “light bulb” moment. Showing a small beaded doll to a part-time student, Mathapelo Ngaka, who then took it to her mother, Makatiso, a skilled bead artist with the brief “can you do a doll that looks unique?” and Monkeybiz was born. Word of mouth spread of this wonderful supportive and empowering project and the register grew to over 450 beaders that the non-profit works with today.

International acclaim has followed; Monkeybiz pieces were snatched up by Sotherbys Contemporary Decorative arts for a sell-out exhibition in 2002, and the vibrant dolls, animals and beaded pictures have enthralled shoppers and collectors in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo – and Donna Karan has sold Monkeybiz craft art in her New York store DKNY. You’ll also find these iconic pieces at ABC carpet and Home, a department store that sets trends not only as a New York institution but worldwide.

Read more about Monkeybiz

Your tasks
Monkeybiz art is sold in shops all over the world as well as via the Monkeybiz website. As an intern with Monkeybiz you will be based in their colourful office in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. It will be a great opportunity for you to get involved in multiple aspects of the daily operation of running a non profit organization. Depending on your interests, skills and needs at that moment from Monkeybiz you will be involved in a variety of tasks, such as:

• Communications
  • Creating and posting content to our social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest), e.g. writing, taking pictures and/or creating short videos.
  • Creating content and sending newsletter to our mailing list
  • Updating the website and webshop, a.o. taking and editing pictures of new art pieces for webshop
  • Drafting press releases and articles
  • Research possible media contacts and maintain a media database
• Marketing and sales:
  • Guide and present to groups coming to Monkeybiz, assist with sales and order process (intake, dispatch, pulling stories, etc.)
  • Helping out in the store, telling the Monkeybiz story to customers, taking cash and credit card sales and recording sales. Selection and display of retails goods in the shop.
• Assisting on market days, e.g. intake of art pieces, sorting, assisting with quality checks and payments, etc.
• Database entry & management for both sales opportunities (orders) and artists (purchases and orders from market days)
• Assist with fundraising activities and/or do market research

Skills or abilities you will learn while doing an internship with Monkeybiz

You will gain experience in the following main areas

• Social media and creative writing
• Customer relationship management
• Operations of a non profit business

Main skills that can be developed during this Non Profit internship in Cape Town

• Sales and communication skills
• Database management skills
• Operational management skills
• Social media communication skills

NB. Please note this internship is based on a volunteer work placement, so you won’t receive any payment or stipend.

Where You’ll Stay 

Your accommodation is included in the internship fee, and we’ll arrange it all for you! We’re excited to offer a variety of options, ranging from dorm rooms to twin and single rooms. The options available depend on your internship period, but we’ll always make sure you’re in a comfortable, central, and safe place. Please get in touch to find out what options are available during your preferred period.

Requirements
If you are ready to make an impact, please keep in mind Monkeybiz is looking for someone with the following skills and experience for this Non Profit Internship:

• Work well in a team
• Have a just-do-mentality, be flexible and keen to take on different kind of tasks
• Have good written and spoken English skills
• Be precise, accurate and moving fast
• Bring your own laptop

The Application Process

If you’re keen for this work placement and feel that you could make a good contribution to Monkeybiz, we’d love to hear from you! Here’s what to do:

1. Fill in the Application form (it will show in a slider pop-up!) and send us your CV.
2. If we might have a placement available for you, we’ll chat to you on the phone or Skype to go through your application and make sure it’s a good match.
3. We’ll set up a call between you and the person who would be your supervisor during the work placement.
4. If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, get started with a detailed booking form, and we’ll give you all the information you need to prepare for your upcoming adventure.
5. Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

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

When can you start making an impact?
You can start your internship with Monkeybiz every week, so your final starting date is based on what suits you and Monkeybiz the best.

Fees

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 accommodation you choose, but start at the following level:

• 8 weeks – USD 1,502 (2018)
• 12 weeks – USD 1,978 (2018)
• 16 weeks – USD 2,454 (2018)

What is included in the fee?

• Full accommodation rental fees
• Transfer from Cape Town International airport to your accommodation and back on arrival and departure day
• Assistance with finding the perfect work placement
• Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
• On the ground support during your stay
• A discount on weekend activities, exclusive to Roots interns

What is not included in the fee?

• Flights to Cape Town
• Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
• Meals, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing).
• Costs for additional excursions or activities

Optional extra

Academic Guidance Apart from the logistical support we offer, and regular check-ins, we also offer additional academic guidance during your internship. At an additional fee of USD 75 a month, you’ll receive monthly sessions with a local lecturer, who will support you in placing your work experience in the context of your academic course, and assist you with any report writing and/or research you’re required to do.