The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has officially opened applications for the Seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP7) Digitisation Project 2026.
The programme aims to recruit 200 unemployed South African graduates and young people to assist with the digitisation and preservation of historical records held by the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA) and Provincial Archives across the country.
NFVF PESP7 Assistant Archivist Internship Overview
| Programme: NFVF PESP7 Digitisation
| Organisation: National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
| Partner: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)
| Programme: Seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP7)
| Position: Assistant Archivist
| No of Posts: 200
| Project Start Date: 24 August 2026
| Placement: All 9 Provinces and NARSSA Pretoria
| Best Before: 03 August 2026 at 16:00
About the NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Project
The PESP7 Digitisation Project has been established to preserve South Africa’s documentary heritage by digitising valuable archival records stored by the National Archives and Provincial Archives. Interns will receive practical workplace exposure while supporting archival management, records preservation, digitisation, oral history projects and information management.
This initiative also contributes to youth employment while strengthening South Africa’s archival and heritage sector.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be unemployed
- Be 35 years old or younger
- Hold the required qualification for the selected province
- Meet the qualification requirements listed for the advertised post
Candidates who have previously participated in any Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) project are discouraged from applying.
Applicants applying in provinces with multiple project sites must indicate their preferred location.
Available Assistant Archivist Vacancies
A total of 200 Assistant Archivist positions are available across South Africa.
| Province | Number of Posts |
| Western Cape | 10 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 22 |
| North West | 22 |
| Limpopo | 20 |
| Mpumalanga | 22 |
| Eastern Cape | 22 |
| Gauteng | 22 |
| Northern Cape | 22 |
| Free State | 15 |
| NARSSA Pretoria | 23 |
| Total | 200 |
Internship Locations
Successful candidates will be placed at archive facilities across South Africa, including:
- Cape Town
- Ulundi
- Durban
- Pietermaritzburg
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Makwarela
- Giyani
- Lebowakgomo
- Mbombela
- Qonce
- Gqeberha
- Mthatha
- Kagiso
- Johannesburg
- Kimberley
- Bloemfontein
- National Archives and Records Service of South Africa in Pretoria
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Qualification requirements differ slightly depending on the province.
Accepted qualifications include:
- Archival Studies
- Archives and Records Management
- Records Management
- Information Science
- Heritage Studies
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
- Information and Communication Technology
Applicants should carefully check the qualification requirements for the province they wish to apply to before submitting an application.
What Will Assistant Archivists Do?
Successful interns may assist with:
- Digitising archival records
- Arrangement and description of archival collections
- Records management
- Oral history projects
- Preservation and conservation
- Reading room management
- Strong room maintenance
- Appraisal and disposal of records
- Client services
- Capacity building
- Digital archiving
- Videography and editing
- Sound preservation
Actual duties may vary depending on the province and project site.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copies of qualifications and certificates
- Certified driver’s licence where applicable
- Certified Code 10 driver’s licence and PDP where required
Ensure that all documents are clear and properly certified before submission.
How to Apply for NFVF PESP7 Assistant Archivist Internship
Applications must be submitted via email.
- Application Email: pesp7internship@nfvf.co.za
Applicants must include the correct job reference number in the subject line.
Examples include:
- WC.01 – Assistant Archivist
- KZN.01 – Assistant Archivist
- LMP.01 – Assistant Archivist
- GP.01 – Assistant Archivist
- NARSSA.01 – Assistant Archivist
Where provinces have multiple project sites, applicants should also include the preferred location.
Example:
- LMP.01 – Assistant Archivist – Polokwane
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
| Applications Open | 15 July 2026 |
| Applications Close | 03 August 2026 at 16:00 |
| Expected Project Start | 24 August 2026 |
Late applications may not be considered.
Verification Process
Successful applicants may undergo:
- South African citizenship verification
- Criminal record checks
- Qualification verification
- Identity verification
- Driver’s licence verification where applicable
Applicants should ensure that all information submitted is accurate and complete.
Why This Internship Is Worth Applying For
The NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Project offers graduates a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in:
- Archival management
- Digital preservation
- Records management
- Heritage conservation
- Information management
- Government administration
The experience gained through this programme can strengthen future employment opportunities within government departments, museums, archives, libraries, heritage institutions and information management organisations.
Tips for a Strong Application
Before submitting your application:
- Use the correct job reference number.
- Clearly indicate your preferred project site if more than one location is available.
- Attach all certified supporting documents.
- Ensure your CV highlights relevant qualifications and experience.
- Submit your application well before the closing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many internships are available?
- There are 200 Assistant Archivist internship opportunities available nationwide.
Who can apply?
- Unemployed South African graduates and youth aged 35 years or younger who meet the qualification requirements.
Where will interns be placed?
- Interns will be placed across all nine provinces and at the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa in Pretoria.
What qualifications are accepted?
Relevant qualifications include:
- Archival Studies
- Archives and Records Management
- Records Management
- Information Science
- Heritage Studies
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
- Information and Communication Technology
Qualification requirements differ slightly by province.
When is the closing date?
- Applications close on 03 August 2026 at 16:00.
Final Thoughts
The NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Project 2026 is one of the largest public heritage internship programmes currently available in South Africa. With 200 Assistant Archivist vacancies across all provinces, unemployed graduates have an excellent opportunity to gain valuable government workplace experience while contributing to the preservation of South Africa’s historical and cultural records.
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