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Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow

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Against the backdrop of the Eastern Cape’s current youth employment crisis, the Coega Internship Programme continues to serve as a beacon of hope for many graduates in search of opportunities to boost their career prospects.

Since inception in 2008, the Programme has mentored thousands of young professionals who have gone on to become successful businesspeople and specialists in their fields. The Programme offers opportunities across the corporation’s various business units and has assisted in the career development of thousands of talented graduates, including SABC Radio Station (Tru FM) Programme Manager, Sakikaya Makapela.

Makapela is a graduate of the Nelson Mandela University, who joined the Class of 2007 Coega Internship Programme to kickstart his career. Today, Makapela is a media practitioner with over 15 years’ experience acquired in various aspects of media, marketing, and communications. Makapela shares that “a Coega internship is a great opportunity to begin a future career. A developed mentor system, a strong and resilient corporate culture, and assistance for newcomers are all demonstrated by the company. You will receive aid and advice on how to improve things, but what’s also crucial is that your suggestions will be acknowledged and are likely to be used.”

“We are proud to welcome young professionals into our space and offer them the experience they need to prosper as candidates in the job market. Young minds fuel the engine room of this organisation in line with our culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and we appreciate their contribution to the Coega vision of championing socio-economic development,” says Bronwen Addison, Coega Unit Head of Human Resource Management (Acting).

Coega established the Programme with the aim of providing the platform for experiential learning opportunities to unemployed graduates and students in specific study disciplines – who are required to complete practical work to obtain a qualification. The Programme forms part of the Corporation’s Social Responsibility Initiatives.

Another Coega Internship Programme alumni who is employed as a Coega Digital Media Specialist by the organisation, Rene Marais, recommends the Programme to recent graduates looking to gain professional experience. She states that “the Programme provides hands-on learning through experienced mentors and specialists and gives interns the chance to practice their skills and gain real-life work exposure and training.”

Babalwa Menze, who is one of the current Coega Internship Programme Finance Interns, also shared her thoughts: “I want to express my gratitude to the entire Coega corporate team for their welcoming and kind manner at the start of the programme. My internship, in my perspective, will assist me in expanding my skills and experience, enhance my self-confidence, and help me determine my career goals.”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.