Getting to know some of Unisa KwaZulu-Natal’s interns

Unisa KwaZulu-Natal’s internships do not merely entail stepping through a doorway – they provide a stage for professional development, personal growth and career preparation. For some of the recent graduates, the internships are an essential link between their theoretical learning at university and their practice in the workplace, providing them with experiential learning, mentorship and exposure to the institution's internal processes. Unisa interns acquire skills, build confidence, and better prepare to handle the job market.

Their stories teach us that regardless of a person’s history or obstacles, motivation and desire to learn will always level the playing field.

Buyisiwe Mbatha: Library Intern
"Libraries are not about books—they're critical information hubs for communities."

Another Library Intern at Unisa is Themba Buyisiwe Mbatha, who also graduated with a Bachelor of Information Science. Attracted to the profession by a passion for learning and wanting to assist people, Mbatha enjoyed the way Unisa utilised distance learning, but acknowledged that the lack of face-to-face interaction was lonely at times.

Buyisiwe Mbatha

Currently working in the everyday functions of the library, Mbatha enjoys assisting students through databases, catalogues and printed media. Looking back on her experience, she wishes she had gained volunteer experience sooner so that she might be more equipped for life as an employee. In the future, she would like to be a promoter of information and knowledge and an inventive information specialist, using this internship to further develop her digital skills and grow her sector knowledge. “Continue learning and being flexible,” she suggests, since "the information world continues to change."

Slindokuhle Dlamini: Communication & Marketing Intern
"Field experience honed my interest in public relations and stakeholder relations."

Slindokuhle Dlamini’s professional path took a sharp and purposeful turn, thanks to her time in the corporate world. Having worked for five years as a sales representative, she frequently found herself representing her employers to clients and stakeholders – experiences that nudged her toward a National Diploma in Public Relations at Unisa.

She found distance learning at Unisa to be both liberating and demanding. The course taught her communication and time management, giving her a platform on which to build media relations and strategic thinking. As a Communications and Marketing Intern, Dlamini is excited about implementing what she has learnt in class in real life, whether this entails writing a press release or planning an event. She feels that internships are not only about gaining experience; they are also a testing ground for professionalism and creativity. Her dream is eventually to lead a PR department or communications agency that gives back to others what it has given to her.

Lindani Ndebele – Library Intern
"Be focused and give as much as you can to the opportunity that has been given to you. Do your best in whatever work or training you are given and take advice from guides and follow it."

Lindani Ndebele decided to pursue a Bachelor of Information Science because he enjoyed  reading and assisting others in obtaining information to meet their requirements. He says that he had a good experience studying at Unisa and enjoyed the support facilities and tutorials, but had difficulty communicating with lecturers only by e-mail, as answers took too long to arrive.

In transitioning to an internship, Ndebele noticed that the theoretical knowledge acquired in his Unisa education helped him adjust more readily to the practical aspects of working within a library setting. As he had previously studied in a conventional high school environment, adjusting to independent distance learning took discipline and time management.
As an intern, he enjoys translating theory into practice and experiencing the daily library operations and client interactions. In the future, Ndebele would like to advance in the profession, moving from assistant to librarian and, finally, into management roles.

Slindokuhle Dlamini, Lindani Ndebele, Nokuzola Khumalo and Shaikjee Mohammed

Nokuzola Khumalo – Library Intern

"A library is more than a space for books. It's a sanctuary for all your information needs."
Library intern Nokuzola Khumalo is based in Bergville and is a graduate of the Unisa Bachelor of Information Science. She always wanted to work with books and be in a calm setting, which is why she pursued a career in academic libraries. She is grateful for the flexibility that Unisa has provided, although she confesses that connectivity problems and the unreliability of the website during examination times were her greatest challenges. Her determination to succeed, however, enabled her to overcome such obstacles by purchasing a laptop and router and commuting to town to access better facilities.

Now employed as an intern at Unisa's library, Khumalo is putting her training to good use – helping students with research, coordinating circulation services, and even designing attractive library displays. "I like discovering what resources are needed most by the students and making them easily accessible," she says. She hopes to stay in the field of information sciences, possibly lecturing in the future.

Shaikjee Mohammed: Facilities Management Intern

"Be positive-minded and be nice to your colleagues—it will make your day better."

Shaikjee Mohammed started his career as an engineer in his father's garage. Watching his father repair cars shaped a long-term passion for mechanical systems, which culminated in a Unisa qualification in mechanical engineering. As much as he enjoyed the independence of distance learning, the restricted access to study materials encouraged him to pursue independent research.

His hands-on experience during the last year of study exposed him to translating theory into practice with actual tools—a foundation that he is now building on through his internship. "Making new friends and working with them has been the most thrilling experience," he says. He now has his eye on owning his own engineering company, taking every chance to acquire hands-on experience that will pay dividends in the future. His words of wisdom to other students? "Never give up. Be patient and persistent. One day, the right opportunity will present itself."

These stories offer a small window into the real-life journeys of a few Unisa KZN interns who are learning, growing and finding their footing in the working world. Through hands-on experience and daily challenges, they’re gaining the confidence and skills needed to take their next steps. Unisa’s commitment to supporting young talent through its internship programme plays a meaningful role in helping graduates transition from studies to a career with purpose and direction.

* By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region