The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Harambee and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), is inviting unemployed young South Africans to apply for the Integrated Service Excellence Programme 2026.
The programme is aimed at creating employment opportunities for young people interested in the hospitality, travel and tourism sector. Successful participants will receive a monthly stipend of R4,600, based on a maximum of 23 days worked per month.
Opportunities are available in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape.
Tourism Ambassador Programme 2026
Programme: Tourism Ambassador – Integrated Service Excellence Programme 2026
Department: Department of Tourism
Partner: SANBI and Harambee
Employment Type: Fixed-term
Stipend: R4,600 per month
Provinces: KZN, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape
Closing Date: 18 September 2026
The programme is specifically targeted at unemployed youth and is intended to widen access to employment and skills development within the tourism and hospitality industries.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be between 18 and 35 years old
- Have a Matric Certificate
- Have a certified copy of their ID
- Provide proof of residence
- Have a clear criminal record
- Be passionate about travel, tourism and hospitality
- Be willing to work flexible hours
- Have reliable transport to and from work
Applicants must also live within a 50-kilometre radius of the participating sites and surrounding communities and land claimants.
Candidates who have previously participated in a Department of Tourism learnership or skills programme must declare this information in their application.
What Will Successful Participants Do?
The successful participants may perform various duties in accordance with SANBI workplace requirements.
The exact responsibilities may differ depending on the participating site and operational requirements. The programme follows a demand-led skills development approach, meaning participants may be placed in duties based on the skills required at the relevant workplace.
Because the programme operates within the tourism and hospitality environment, applicants should be comfortable interacting with members of the public and working in a professional service environment.
Participants must also be prepared to work weekends, public holidays and as-and-when required.
Stipend and Programme Conditions
Successful participants will receive a R4,600 monthly stipend.
The stipend is based on a maximum of 23 days worked per month.
This is a fixed-term programme, meaning it is not advertised as permanent employment. The main purpose is to provide unemployed youth with employment exposure and skills development within the tourism-related services sector.
Important Application Requirements
Applicants should make sure that their SA Youth profile is fully updated before applying.
In particular, applicants are reminded to provide their exact residential address on their SA Youth profile because residence within the required radius is one of the programme conditions.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide:
- Certified copy of Matric Certificate
- Certified copy of ID
- Proof of residence
Acceptable proof of residence may include a municipal bill, letter from a Tribal Authority or another relevant proof of residence document. A bank statement containing the residential address may also be accepted.
Failure to provide the required documents may result in the application not being considered.
Selection Process
All shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview to determine their suitability for the position or programme.
Appointed candidates will also be subjected to criminal record checks.
People with disabilities are specifically encouraged to apply.
Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If an applicant has not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
Final Thoughts
The Department of Tourism and SANBI Tourism Ambassador Programme 2026 is an opportunity for unemployed South Africans aged 18 to 35 who are interested in gaining experience in tourism, hospitality and related services.
With a R4,600 monthly stipend, opportunities across five provinces and no requirement for a post-school qualification, this programme could provide valuable workplace exposure for eligible young people.
Applicants should ensure that their SA Youth profiles contain their correct residential addresses and that they have the required documents ready if shortlisted.
How to Apply
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