Five young professionals from Pretoria are among a new generation helping to shape South Africa’s environmental future, having completed a year-long internship through the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF South Africa) Environmental Leaders Graduate Internship Programme.

Drawn from diverse academic backgrounds, they represent the growing pool of skilled graduates entering the green economy at a time when the country faces mounting environmental challenges.

The Pretoria-based participants in the latest cohort include Caroline Makofane and Ruth Senokoane, both geneticists at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, alongside plant taxonomist Lebogang Mokwatsi, also based at SANBI.

They are joined by Mbali Gumede, an environmental lawyer working with South African National Parks, and Prudence Khomo, a GIS technician at MAP Scientific Services.

Together, their work spans critical areas such as biodiversity research, environmental law, and spatial data analysis.

According to Andrea Weiss, WWF South Africa spokesperson, the organisation has been helping to shape the country’s future green workforce through its Environmental Leaders Graduate Internship Programme for some 15 years.

Designed as a practical, paid bridge into the working world, the programme equips recent Honours and Master’s graduates with hands-on experience, professional training, and access to networks that can launch long-term careers in the environmental sector.

Every two years, WWF South Africa selects a new cohort to take part in a structured, 12-month internship.

The programme responds directly to skills shortages in South Africa, offering opportunities across a wide spectrum of disciplines.

While some interns pursue traditional conservation roles, others are placed in emerging, high-demand fields, among them economics, green engineering, and sustainable architecture.

A key strength of the programme lies in its partnerships.

Over the years, interns have been hosted by leading organisations such as SANParks, SANBI, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Sustainable Energy Africa, and Wildlands Conservation Trust.

These partnerships ensure that graduates are exposed to real-world challenges while contributing meaningfully to ongoing environmental work.

The initiative has also benefited from sustained financial backing from the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, which has supported the programme since 2013, as well as companies such as Barloworld and, more recently, WWF’s Japan office.

The latest group, now completing their internships, reflects the diversity of South Africa’s academic landscape.

Graduates were drawn from universities across the country, bringing expertise in fields ranging from taxonomy and climate science to environmental law.

Weiss said, “As they step into the next phase of their careers, their experience highlights the importance of structured support in transitioning from academic study to professional practice.”

She noted that the programme continues to play an important bridging role, not just in nurturing talent, but in strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to pressing environmental challenges.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel