Operating the largest television and radio network in the country means managing a relentless 24-hour live broadcast schedule. To keep up with this non-stop media cycle without completely burning out their senior producers, the public broadcaster regularly brings fresh media graduates directly into their active studios through structured SABC internships.
A placement at their massive Auckland Park headquarters drops you right into the middle of national television and radio production. Junior staff are not kept in the background. Depending on your division, you could be cutting live audio clips for Metro FM, writing morning news scripts for SABC 2, or setting up studio lighting for a prime-time talk show.
The broadcasting environment here is incredibly fast and strictly bound by the clock. If a live news bulletin is scheduled to go on air at 18:00, you cannot be late with your video edit or research notes. Every single second of dead air or incorrect reporting costs the network money and audience trust.
Working inside a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) also means you have to learn how to produce high-quality media under strict budget constraints. You will often work with older broadcast equipment and legacy systems, which actually teaches you raw technical problem-solving skills that graduates at heavily funded private studios rarely develop.
Because it is a highly regulated public entity, their HR department follows the rulebook exactly. Missing a required document or failing to align your application with the specific radio station or TV channel advertising the post will simply stall your paperwork before a senior producer ever sees your portfolio.
Our Honest Take: Public Broadcaster vs. Private Media?
Our Analysis: Getting hired at a private network like MultiChoice or eNCA gives you access to the latest digital broadcasting technology. However, the SABC gives you unmatched audience scale and vernacular reach. You learn how to create content that speaks to millions of South Africans across 11 official languages. The downside is the heavy state bureaucracy; getting financial approval to shoot a documentary or buy new camera gear can take weeks of paperwork.
Expert Pro Tip: “Match the Language.” The network operates multiple regional radio stations (like Ukhozi FM, Lesedi FM, and Umhlobo Wenene). If you are applying for a journalism or radio production internship at a specific regional station, your CV and cover letter must clearly highlight your fluency in that exact broadcast language.
Job Overview: Stipends & Allowances (2026 Estimates)
| Qualification Level | Est. Monthly Stipend (ZAR) | Programme Type |
| BA / BJourn Degree (NQF 7) | R6,500 – R8,500 | Graduate Intern |
| National Diploma (NQF 6) | R5,500 – R7,000 | Production Trainee |
| Media Certificate (NQF 5) | R4,500 – R5,500 | Technical Trainee |
| Matric / NCV (NQF 4) | R3,500 – R4,500 | Basic SETA Learnership |
Which Media Departments Take Interns? (2026 Breakdown)
The broadcaster is split into distinct TV, Radio, and Corporate divisions. You must apply to the section that directly matches your tertiary training:
1. News & Broadcast Journalism
- Target Audience: Graduates holding Degrees in Journalism, Media Studies, or Communications.
- The Daily Grind: Finding the story. You will assist senior reporters by calling sources to verify facts, writing short news scripts for the daily radio bulletins, and occasionally going out into the field with a camera crew to cover local community events or press briefings.
2. Technical Production & Sound
- Target Audience: Graduates with Diplomas in Sound Engineering, Film & Television Production, or Video Editing.
- The Daily Grind: Making the broadcast happen. You will spend your shifts inside the control rooms or on the studio floor. Trainees help set up microphone levels for talk shows, operate studio cameras, and use software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Pro Tools to edit pre-recorded interviews before they air.
3. Digital Media & Corporate Services
- Target Audience: Graduates in Digital Marketing, IT, Graphic Design, or Human Resources.
- The Daily Grind: Running the brand behind the scenes. You will help the digital team schedule social media posts for upcoming soapies, assist IT in maintaining the internal corporate network, or help HR process the monthly payroll for the massive permanent staff.
The Reality of Working in Live Broadcasting
Having the national broadcaster on your CV is a massive boost for your media career, but the daily reality of Auckland Park is not glamorous:
- The 24/7 Shift Roster:
News and radio do not stop on weekends. If you are placed in a live production or newsroom role, you will not work a normal Monday to Friday schedule. You must be prepared to work very early morning shifts (starting at 4:00 AM for the breakfast shows) or late-night weekend shifts.
- High-Stress Deadlines:
There is no room for error in live television. If a guest cancels two minutes before a show starts, the production team has to fix it instantly. You have to learn how to stay completely calm and solve problems while the director is shouting instructions through your earpiece.
- Navigating the Hierarchy:
The newsroom has a very strict chain of command. As a junior, you cannot just publish a story or post on the official social media accounts. Every piece of content you create must go through a sub-editor and a final executive producer for legal and quality checks.
Featured “Hot” Programme: Broadcast Journalism Graduate
With the constant demand for verified daily news across television and digital platforms, the national newsroom frequently recruits sharp journalism graduates to help cover developing stories.
- Estimated Stipend: R6,500 – R8,500 per month (12-month contract).
- Location: Auckland Park (Johannesburg) or Regional Provincial Studios.
- Requirements:
- A completed Degree or National Diploma in Journalism, Media Studies, or Communications.
- Excellent writing skills and the ability to work under strict hourly deadlines.
- A basic understanding of media law and broadcasting ethics.
- Must be a South African citizen with no prior formal media employment.
How to Apply Correctly? (The Broadcaster Process)
The SABC does not hire interns through casual emails. Because they are a public entity handling thousands of media graduates, you have to follow their strict internal hiring channels.
The SABC E-Recruitment Portal
All official corporate and journalism graduate intakes are posted directly on the SABC Careers Portal. You need to create an online profile and upload your CV and certified documents. Make sure your degree subjects are clearly listed, as the HR clerks use this portal to filter candidates before sending the shortlists to the actual newsroom editors.
Local Radio Stations Announcements
If you want to work for a specific radio station like Metro FM, Ukhozi FM, or Good Hope FM, they do not always use the main head office website. Station managers often announce trainee presenters or sound jobs live on the radio or on the station’s official Facebook and Twitter pages. If you want a job in radio, you need to follow your favorite station’s social media and actually listen to their daily shows for intake announcements.
Voice or Video Demos
For creative roles like video editing, sound engineering, or presenting, a standard CV is almost useless. The senior producers need to hear your voice or see your camera work. Always type a short YouTube or Google Drive link directly into your CV so they can click and watch a 1-minute video of your best work (your showreel). If they cannot see or hear what you can do, they will just move on to the next person.”
Thabo Mandla is the lead Career Guide Expert at DurbanTalent.com. With over 10 years of practical experience in South African recruitment, he specializes in connecting professionals with top employers in Aviation, Finance, and Hospitality. Thabo combines his background in Human Resources with direct insights from local hiring managers to provide job seekers with accurate, actionable, and reliable career advice. He is passionate about helping candidates navigate the Durban job market and achieve their professional goals.