The National Film and Video Foundation, together with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, invites unemployed South African graduates and youth to apply for the PESP7 Digitisation Project Internship Programme 2026.
Africans& Diaspora
Internship Application Closing Date: 03 August 2026 at 16:00
Internship Locations: All nine provinces and the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa in Pretoria
NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Project Internships 2026
The National Film and Video Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, is recruiting 200 unemployed graduates and young South Africans for the seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.
Successful candidates will support the digitisation of records held by the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa and its provincial archives.
Africans& Diaspora
The project is expected to begin on 24 August 2026 and will operate across all nine provinces, including several provincial archive sites and the National Archives in Pretoria.
Internship Programme Overview
Organisation: National Film and Video Foundation
Partner: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Programme: Seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme
Project: NARSSA Archives Digitisation Project
Position: Assistant Archivist
Number of positions: 200
Target group: Unemployed South African graduates and youth
Maximum age: 35 years
Expected starting date: 24 August 2026
Opening date: 15 July 2026
Closing date: 03 August 2026 at 16:00
Application method: Email
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to suitably qualified South African graduates and unemployed young people aged 35 or younger.
Applicants should have completed a relevant diploma or degree aligned with archival work, records management, information science, film, sound, heritage or information technology.
Candidates who previously participated in PESP projects are discouraged from applying.
Applicants applying in provinces with more than one project site must clearly indicate the preferred site in their application.
Available Assistant Archivist Posts
1. Western Cape Assistant Archivists: 10 Posts
Reference number: WC.01 – Assistant Archivist
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Number of positions: 10
Areas of Work
Successful candidates may assist with:
- Arrangement and description of archival records
- Digitisation of archival records
- Client services
- Oral history
- Appraisal
- Records management
- Capacity building
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in one of the following fields:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
2. KwaZulu-Natal Assistant Archivists: 22 Posts
Reference number: KZN.01 – Assistant Archivist
Locations: Ulundi, Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Number of positions: 22
Applicants must indicate the site for which they are applying.
Areas of Work
- Arrangement and description
- Digitisation of archival records
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
3. North West Assistant Archivists: 22 Posts
Reference number: NW.01 – Assistant Archivist
Location: Mahikeng, North West
Number of positions: 22
Areas of Work
- Oral history
- Arrangement and description
- Digitisation
- Videography
- Video editing
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
4. Limpopo Assistant Archivists: 20 Posts
Reference number: LMP.01 – Assistant Archivist
Locations: Polokwane, Makwarela, Giyani and Lebowakgomo
Number of positions: 20
Applicants must specify their preferred Limpopo project site.
Areas of Work
- Arrangement and description
- Appraisal
- Records management
- Digitisation
- Oral history
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
5. Mpumalanga Assistant Archivists: 22 Posts
Reference number: MP.01 – Assistant Archivist
Location: Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Number of positions: 22
Areas of Work
- Appraisal
- Arrangement and description
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a diploma or degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
6. Eastern Cape Assistant Archivists: 22 Posts
Reference number: EC.01 – Assistant Archivist
Locations: Qonce, Gqeberha and Mthatha
Number of positions: 22
Applicants must indicate the Eastern Cape site for which they are applying.
Areas of Work
- Arrangement and description of archival records
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Three-year bachelor’s degree in Archives and Records Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
7. Gauteng Assistant Archivists: 22 Posts
Reference number: GP.01 – Assistant Archivist
Locations: Kagiso and Johannesburg
Number of positions: 22
Applicants must indicate whether they are applying for Kagiso or Johannesburg.
Areas of Work
- Records management
- Arrangement and description
- Preservation and conservation
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
8. Northern Cape Assistant Archivists: 22 Posts
Reference number: NC.01 – Assistant Archivist
Locations: Kimberley and districts within Francis Baard, John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu, Pixley ka Seme and Namakwa
Number of positions: 22
Applicants should clearly indicate the district or site for which they are applying.
Areas of Work
- Oral history
- Conservation
- Digital archiving
- Arrangement and description
- Appraisal and disposal
- Records management
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a diploma or degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Heritage Studies
- Film Studies
- Information and Communication Technology
9. Free State Assistant Archivists: 15 Posts
Reference number: FS.01 – Assistant Archivist
Location: Bloemfontein, Free State
Number of positions: 15
Areas of Work
- Arrangement and description
- Strongroom maintenance
- Reading-room management
- Digitisation
- Records management
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
10. NARSSA Pretoria Assistant Archivists: 23 Posts
Reference number: NARSSA.01 – Assistant Archivist
Location: National Archives and Records Service of South Africa, Pretoria
Number of positions: 23
Areas of Work
- Arrangement and description
- Strongroom maintenance
- Reading-room management
- Records management
- Digitisation
- Oral history
- Conservation
- Sound preservation
Minimum Qualification
Applicants must have a four-year diploma or three-year degree in:
- Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Records Management
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
Summary of Available Positions
| Province or site | 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 |
What Successful Candidates May Do
Depending on the province and project site, appointed Assistant Archivists may assist with:
- Digitising physical archival records
- Scanning and organising historical documents
- Describing and arranging archival collections
- Supporting records-management activities
- Assisting with oral-history projects
- Preserving film, sound and documentary records
- Supporting appraisal and disposal processes
- Managing reading-room services
- Maintaining strongrooms
- Providing client and research services
- Supporting archival conservation
- Capturing and maintaining digital records
- Assisting with videography and editing
Documents Required
Every application must include:
- An abridged and updated CV
- A certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document
- Certified copies of qualifications and relevant certificates
- A certified copy of a driver’s licence, where applicable
- A certified Code 10 driver’s licence and Professional Driving Permit where required
Applicants should ensure that all documents are clear and correctly attached before sending the email.
How to Apply for NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Internships 2026
Applications must be submitted by email to the National Film and Video Foundation.
Click here to apply for NFVF PESP7 Digitisation Internships 2026
Email address: pesp7internship@nfvf.co.za
Applicants must include the relevant job reference number in the email subject line.
Examples include:
- WC.01 – Assistant Archivist
- KZN.01 – Assistant Archivist
- NW.01 – Assistant Archivist
- LMP.01 – Assistant Archivist
- MP.01 – Assistant Archivist
- EC.01 – Assistant Archivist
- GP.01 – Assistant Archivist
- NC.01 – Assistant Archivist
- FS.01 – Assistant Archivist
- NARSSA.01 – Assistant Archivist
Where a province has more than one site, applicants must also state the site for which they are applying.
A suitable email subject could be:
LMP.01 – Assistant Archivist – Polokwane
Application Closing Date
Applications close on Monday, 03 August 2026 at 16:00.
Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. Candidates are encouraged to submit their complete applications early.
Verification and Screening
Suitable candidates may be subjected to:
- South African citizenship verification
- Criminal-record checks
- Qualification verification
- Identity verification
- Verification of licences and certificates where applicable
Applicants must ensure that all information in their CVs and supporting documents is accurate.
Important Information for Applicants
Candidates who have previously participated in a Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme project are discouraged from applying.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within 30 days after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
The National Film and Video Foundation reserves the right not to make an appointment.
About the PESP7 Digitisation Project
The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme supports temporary employment and work-experience opportunities in sectors that can contribute to economic recovery and public value.
Through this project, unemployed graduates and young people will help preserve South Africa’s documentary, audiovisual and historical records by converting archival material into accessible digital formats.
