INTERNSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA
A large proportion of the South African population still lacks access to education. Access to good education still varies greatly from neighbourhood to neighbourhood in South Africa. This is also the case in Port Elizabeth, a port city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Our work takes place in schools in the townships of Port Elizabeth. As no PE lessons are taught in schools in these neighbourhoods, we provide them. You will be delivering sports training to children and young people. Our foundation uses sport as a means of tackling social issues in these neighbourhoods, such as raising awareness about HIV, AIDS and gender equality. Furthermore, the sessions are designed to help children develop key skills such as teamwork, decision-making and leadership. We also provide children with educational opportunities to help them develop their talents. Every year, around 18,000 children take part in our projects and activities!
As an intern you can give lessons in your favourite sport (football, hockey, rugby, swimming, tennis and so on). You can also assist in lessons at various schools we support, as there is a shortage of teachers. We can also make good use of interns’ help in managing our projects.
The internship is based in Port Elizabeth (P.E.), a city with more than 300,000 inhabitants (1,300,000 including the neighbouring towns). The port city lies in the Eastern Cape and is also known as the ‘Windy City’, so ideal for surfing! Three languages are spoken in Port Elizabeth: English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
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South Africa
WHO IS THIS INTERNSHIP SUITABLE FOR?
We can always take your own wishes into account. It is also possible to do research in South Africa; contact us to see what the options are.
ARRIVAL WEEKENDS
We strongly recommend joining one of the arrival weekends below. On these weekends many volunteers and interns arrive at the same time, and there is an introduction, orientation and icebreaker activities. So it is always better to arrive on one of these Saturdays.
A session always ends with a holiday week. You can stay at the accommodation during this week or choose to go on holiday for a week. You can then join a new session the following week.
2026
10 January: 4 to 12 weeks
7 February: 4 to 8 weeks
7 March: 4 weeks
11 April: 4 to 12 weeks
9 May: 4 to 8 weeks
6 June: 4 weeks
18 July: 4 weeks
22 August: 4 to 12 weeks
19 September: 4 to 8 weeks
17 October: 4 weeks
2027
6 February – 4 to 8 weeks
6 March – 4 weeks
10 April – 4 to 12 weeks
8 May – 4 to 8 weeks
5 June – 4 weeks
17 July – 4 weeks
21 August – 4 to 12 weeks
18 September – 4 to 8 weeks
16 October – 4 weeks
I am a vegetarian. Will my dietary requirements be taken into account?
-If you let us know in advance that you are a vegetarian, they can take this into account in South Africa.
What do I need to bear in mind when travelling abroad?
-Following our no-obligation consultation, during which we’ll go through everything, we’ll also send you a ‘welcome pack’ setting out in detail everything you need to bear in mind, what you need to bring with you, what to watch out for, and so on.
Can I arrive earlier or later than the designated arrival weekend?
– This is possible but strongly discouraged. Not only will you miss the introduction and orientation, but you’ll also be joining an existing, often close-knit group, and it’s always harder to fit in once the group has already formed. If you really can’t arrive any earlier or later, or if the flight is much cheaper, we’d also recommend staying in a hostel for the first few days before moving into our accommodation. Just let us know – we’d be happy to help!
How many other people will I be doing my internship with?
– There are always other interns/volunteers at the accommodation in South Africa. The size of the group varies between 15 and 35. They do not all come from the UK, but from other countries as well. You can contact us to find out how many others will be there during your stay. We’ll also set up a group chat with other Dutch people who’ll be making the trip at the same time. That way, you can get to know each other in advance.
Sport in South Africa
Several sports are popular in South Africa, but the most popular are:
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Football: this is the most popular sport in South Africa, and the national team, Bafana Bafana, has a huge following. The country also has a very competitive national league, the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
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Rugby: rugby is also a popular sport in South Africa, especially among the white population. South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks, is one of the most successful rugby teams in the world and has won the Rugby World Cup four times.
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Cricket: cricket is another popular sport in South Africa, especially in the Indian and white communities. South Africa’s national cricket team, the Proteas, is a strong international side and has produced a number of talented players.
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Netball: netball is the most popular sport for women in South Africa, and the national netball team, the SPAR Proteas, has achieved international success.
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Athletics: athletics is a popular sport in South Africa and the country has produced several successful athletes, including Wayde van Niekerk, Caster Semenya and Akani Simbine.
Other popular sports in South Africa include swimming, golf, hockey, boxing and motorsports such as motocross and motor racing.
Turing Scheme
Through the Turing Scheme, UK universities, colleges and schools can fund students who take part in a study or internship abroad, including outside Europe. The funding is applied for by your institution, not by you directly.
Ask your study abroad or international office whether your institution takes part and whether our programme qualifies. Visit the Turing Scheme website for the conditions. Make sure you do this well in advance, as institutions work with strict deadlines and gathering the required documents can take a while. A good, timely application also increases your chance of success.
Erasmus+
Other grants
Many universities, colleges and sports bodies offer their own travel grants or bursaries for students who want to spend part of their studies or internship abroad. Availability differs per institution and course.
So always check with your course, personal tutor or international office whether your participation in our project qualifies for such a grant. They can also tell you about the conditions, the application procedure and the amount. It is well worth looking into early, as a grant can make a nice contribution to the cost of your experience abroad.
South Africa
4 week internship
€ 1.245
No registration fee
- Each extra week € 210
- Each week after 12 weeks € 170
What’s included
Stay
- Beautiful accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (on weekdays)
Support
- Dedicated coordinator at your project
- Meet your coordinator before you go
- Visa advice and support.
Arrival
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Introduction and guided tour
Extra
- Group chat with everyone travelling at the same time as you
- Social activities with other volunteers and interns
- Free The Power of Sports shirt and socks
Ready to go? Book a free, no-obligation intake call and we’ll help you plan.
About South Africa
South Africa is a country of unparalleled beauty and diversity. From the vast savannahs to the beautiful coastlines and vibrant cities, there is something for everyone in this country.
One of South Africa’s biggest attractions is its wildlife in its natural habitat. Kruger National Park, in the north east of the country, is one of the best places to spot the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard). The park is also home to a range of other animals and plants, and offers safaris and accommodation options for every budget.
Another natural attraction is Table Mountain in Cape Town. This iconic mountain, rising above the city, offers stunning views and is a great place to hike and enjoy nature. It is also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers various adventure activities such as abseiling and paragliding.
South Africa has several vibrant cities with lots to offer. Cape Town, at the foot of Table Mountain, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has various attractions, including the historic Bo-Kaap, the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay.
South Africa’s history includes many years of racial inequality and discrimination, with apartheid as the best known example. This has led to tensions between the different population groups and has contributed to today’s social and economic inequality.
It is wise to know something about South Africa’s history, because the legacy of apartheid still affects the country’s current social and political situation. So it is important to treat the different population groups with respect and to strive for a better future for all South Africans, regardless of their ethnic background.
Accommodation
This accommodation in Port Elizabeth has plenty of room for you and your friends. You will always share your room with others. If you go for a longer period, you may be able to get a room to yourself, although this comes at an extra cost. Your accommodation has a living room, chill out area, swimming pool and kitchen, and there is 24/7 security. The accommodation also has an office where you can work on your university assignments.
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