The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the North-West University (NWU) celebrated the successful completion of the first cohort of 100 graduates in their COGTA-NWU Graduate Programme partnership.
The certification ceremony took place on the university’s Potchefstroom Campus on 18 August. Graduates received certificates in recognition of their participation and work done as part of this internship programme, which was designed to address youth unemployment while strengthening municipal capacity across the North West Province.
Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, the NWU’s principal and vice chancellor, described the programme as a practical example of how partnerships can create meaningful change.
“Today is a moment to take stock of what can happen when institutions move beyond good intentions and translate partnerships into measurable human impact,” he said. “At the inception of this initiative, 100 graduates were placed across municipalities in the North West Province. It was envisaged not only as an internship programme, but as part of a broader effort to strengthen municipal capacity while providing graduates with meaningful professional experience.”
Creating pathways to employment
Twenty participants have already secured positions at various institutions.
“We must not only produce graduates, but create pathways through which their knowledge, talent and skills can be productively deployed,” Prof Tyobeka said.
The success of those graduates who were absorbed by their host employers highlighted the value of the initiative, he said.
“To those employers, particularly the municipalities, we thank you. You have demonstrated the true essence of ubuntu, recognising potential, nurturing it and ultimately giving it a place from which to contribute.”
This collaboration between COGTA and the NWU was launched in 2023. It placed graduates in 22 municipalities across the province for three years to give them the opportunity to gain workplace experience, professional mentorship and practical exposure to the realities of local government.
Building capacity in municipalities
Dr Ben Bole, COGTA head of department, said the graduates were deployed across the province and represented a broad range of disciplines, including finance, public administration, engineering, IT and environmental sciences.
According to COGTA, graduates made valuable contributions in areas such as engineering, finance, planning, governance and service delivery. Through structured mentoring, training workshops and workplace exposure, participants gained practical skills while supporting municipal operations.
Dr Bole said the success of the programme demonstrates the value of partnerships between government and higher education institutions. “This programme represents a direct investment in reducing youth unemployment. At the same time, it strengthened municipal capacity through the provision of technical and professional support,” he said.
“We will work towards strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning such as the NWU to ensure a seamless pipeline from education to employment.”
Lives changed through opportunity
Boipelo Galeboe, a graduate who worked at the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, described the programme as life changing.
“When I look back, I realise that this journey was not just an internship. It was about opening doors, creating opportunities and changing the trajectory of our lives,” she said.
Galeboe, who was later absorbed by the municipality, said the programme gave graduates an opportunity to participate meaningfully in local government while gaining invaluable workplace experience.
Both COGTA and the NWU say the programme demonstrates how targeted partnerships can equip young professionals with the skills, experience and confidence needed to contribute to their communities while building a more capable and responsive local government sector for the future.
Dr Ben Bole, COGTA head of Department, highlighted the policy framework and gave strategic context during his keynote address.
James Mashigo, COGTA’s chief director for local governance in the North West Province, spoke about the impact the internship programme had on the beneficiaries
Mamorenar Lehoko, COGTA’s chief director for corporate services, outlined the purpose of the certification ceremony.
Clement Manoko, the NWU’s executive director for Corporate Relations, Marketing and Sport, facilitated the certification ceremony.
The COGTA-NWU Graduate Programme produced 100 job-ready graduates.
Boipelo Galeboe says the programme was a life-changing experience.
Keamogetse Dithole-Mpya says when she started on the programme, working at Ratlou Local Municipality, her intention was to gain experience.
Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, applauded the graduates for successfully completing the programme.
