Internships

Jacaranda FM News Internship Programme 2026: Apply for One of Three Journalism Internship Opportunities in Midrand

Jacaranda FM is recruiting three News Interns for its 2026 internship programme in partnership with VowFM. Journalism graduates will gain hands-on newsroom experience, field reporting exposure, and broadcasting skills development over a 12-month internship based in Midrand and Johannesburg.

Jacaranda FM Opens Applications for News Internship Programme 2026

Aspiring journalists looking to launch their careers in broadcasting and news reporting have an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience through the Jacaranda FM News Internship Programme 2026. The leading South African radio station has announced the recruitment of three News Interns who will join its dynamic newsroom and receive practical training across multiple aspects of radio journalism.

The internship is being offered in partnership with VowFM (Voice of Wits), a community radio station licensed as Wits University Campus Radio. Together, the two stations aim to provide comprehensive broadcasting skills development for young graduates seeking experience in the highly competitive media industry.

Based in Midrand and Johannesburg, the programme combines newsroom training, field reporting, current affairs production, and broadcasting experience, making it an ideal opportunity for journalism graduates eager to build professional media careers.

Applications are now open, with the internship commencing in September 2026.

About the Internship Programme

The Jacaranda FM News Internship has been designed to expose graduates to the day-to-day operations of professional radio newsrooms. Through a structured rotation programme, interns will gain experience at both Jacaranda FM and VowFM, allowing them to develop a broad range of skills across different broadcasting environments.

The selected interns will rotate between the two stations every six weeks throughout the internship period. This arrangement provides exposure to both commercial and community broadcasting operations, enabling participants to understand how different radio platforms serve their audiences.

Because of the rotational nature of the programme, interns will be required to travel between Jacaranda FM in Midrand and VowFM in Johannesburg.

The internship is intended for individuals who are fully committed to gaining practical broadcasting experience and are not simultaneously engaged in other academic studies.

What Interns Will Learn at Jacaranda FM

At Jacaranda FM, interns will become actively involved in newsroom operations while learning directly from experienced journalists and media professionals.

Key areas of development include:

Newsroom Operations

Interns will assist with the daily activities of the news department and gain practical exposure to the workflow involved in producing high-quality radio news content.

Journalism Support

Participants will support journalists in researching, compiling, and preparing stories for broadcast. This experience helps graduates understand how news stories are developed from initial ideas to final on-air reports.

Field Reporting

The programme provides opportunities for interns to report from the field, gather information, conduct interviews, and contribute to news coverage of current events.

News Desk Experience

Interns will spend time working on the news desk, learning how stories are monitored, edited, prioritised, and prepared for broadcast.

This combination of fieldwork and newsroom responsibilities ensures a well-rounded introduction to professional journalism.

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Skills Development at VowFM

The internship extends beyond Jacaranda FM through a partnership with VowFM, providing additional opportunities for practical broadcasting experience.

During their rotation at VowFM, interns will develop skills in:

Bulletin Compilation and Presentation

Participants will compile and read daily news bulletins, helping them strengthen their writing, editing, and on-air presentation skills.

Current Affairs Programming

Interns will assist in packaging stories for current affairs programmes, gaining valuable experience in producing more in-depth news content.

Field Reporting

Just as at Jacaranda FM, interns will have opportunities to gather news from the field and contribute original reporting.

Social Media News Content

Modern journalists are increasingly expected to work across multiple platforms. Interns will therefore gain experience creating and publishing news-related content for social media channels.

Day-to-Day News Programming

Participants will be actively involved in daily news and current affairs programming, offering insight into the fast-paced nature of broadcasting.

Wits Radio Academy Training

As part of the programme, interns will undertake short courses through the Wits Radio Academy, further enhancing their broadcasting and journalism skills.

Who Should Apply?

The internship is targeted at graduates who are passionate about journalism, news reporting, and broadcasting.

Applicants should possess:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree or three-year National Diploma in Journalism or a related field
  • A strong command of the English language
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • The ability to write and voice radio scripts
  • Knowledge of news gathering and storytelling principles
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • An interest in current affairs and media
  • A valid driver’s licence or be in the process of obtaining one

The employer has also indicated a preference for candidates who are bilingual in English and Afrikaans, which may provide an advantage during the selection process.

Technical Skills Required

Successful candidates should demonstrate familiarity with various aspects of radio journalism, including:

  • Script writing
  • News reporting
  • Fact-checking and verification
  • Story research
  • Radio production
  • Studio operations
  • Audio recording equipment
  • Field recording equipment

These skills will help interns transition smoothly into the practical demands of the newsroom environment.

Why This Internship Stands Out

The media industry remains highly competitive, making practical experience essential for graduates entering the profession. What makes this programme particularly attractive is the opportunity to gain exposure across multiple areas of broadcasting rather than focusing on a single function.

Participants will benefit from:

  • Experience at two respected radio stations
  • Exposure to both commercial and community broadcasting
  • Practical newsroom training
  • Field reporting opportunities
  • Current affairs production experience
  • Professional networking opportunities
  • Skills development through Wits Radio Academy
  • Monthly stipend support

For aspiring journalists, these experiences can significantly strengthen future employment prospects within radio, television, digital media, and communications sectors.

Internship Details

Position: News Intern (3 Positions Available)
Location: Midrand and Johannesburg
Reference Number: JACNEWS
Job Type: Contract Internship
Work Level: Student / Graduate
Duration: 9–12 Months
Salary: Market Related Stipend
Employer: Jacaranda FM (Kagiso Media)

Final Thoughts

The Jacaranda FM News Internship Programme 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for journalism graduates to gain meaningful experience within South Africa’s broadcasting industry. Through its partnership with VowFM and the Wits Radio Academy, the programme provides a comprehensive learning environment that combines newsroom operations, field reporting, content creation, and professional development.

For graduates passionate about storytelling, news reporting, and radio broadcasting, this internship could serve as the perfect launchpad for a successful media career. With only three positions available, interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

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