Sefako Makgatho University (SMU): Internships 2025 / 2026

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) would like to provide internships to deserving young unemployed citizens. In this way, SMU hopes to provide experience to young South Africans, and give them the opportunity to be employable and to compete in the job market.

The following Internship Opportunities are open for applications:

Payroll Administration Intern

Ref No: Payroll/BGM/Intern

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in Accounting, Finance or equivalent (attach transcript)

Skills and Competencies: Basic understanding of payroll administration. Strong numerical and analytical skills. Computer literacy (MS Office Suite). Good communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to pay attention to detail. Time management. Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people. Client focus. Result focus

Duties: Assist in capturing and verifying payroll data including unpaid leave, claims, payments and deductions. Support the preparation of monthly payroll input and reconciliation reports. Help with the distribution of payslips and responding to basic payroll queries from employees. Assist in processing terminations, new appointments, and allowances. Ensure that all payroll transactions comply with tax laws, UIF, SDL, and relevant labour legislation. Maintain accurate and confidential employee payroll records and filing. Support audit readiness by organising payroll documentation and responding to audit queries. Assist in reconciling third-party payments (e.g. pension fund, SARS, medical aid). Help prepare payroll journals for submission to the finance department. Contribute to the overall development of SMU and actively improve institutional culture. Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager.

Employee Wellness Intern

Ref No: Wellness/BGM/Intern

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in Human Resources Management with speciality in Organisational and Industrial Psychology, or a related Social Sciences field with speciality

Skills and Competencies: Computer literacy (MS Office Suite). Good communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to pay attention to detail. Time management. Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people. Client focus. Result focus

Duties: Assist in planning and coordinating employee wellness programmes and awareness campaigns. Support the implementation of health and wellness initiatives (e.g. mental health, chronic illness, financial, and fitness). Maintain accurate records of wellness activities, attendance, and employee participation. Assist in preparing wellness-related communication materials and resources. Gather and summarise feedback from wellness initiatives to support reporting and improvement. Conduct research on current employee wellness trends and contribute ideas for new initiatives. Contribute to the overall development of SMU and actively improve institutional culture. Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager

Organisational Development Intern

Ref No: OD/BGM/Intern

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Human Resources, Organisational Development or equivalent (attach transcript)

Skills and Competencies: Computer literacy (MS Office Suite). Good communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to pay attention to detail. Time management. Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people. Client focus. Result focus

Duties: Support the coordination and implementation of organisational development initiatives. Assist in administering and analysing employee engagement and culture surveys. Provide administrative support during performance management processes.  Help organise training and development activities, including attendance and feedback. Assist with job profiling and role clarification processes. Conduct research on OD best practices and trends to inform internal projects. Maintain accurate records and assist with the preparation of reports and presentations. Contribute to the overall development of SMU and actively improve institutional culture. Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager

Human Resources Administration Intern

Ref No: HRA/BGM/Intern

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology or any equivalent qualification (attach transcript).

Skills and Competencies: Computer literacy (MS Office Suite). Good communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to pay attention to detail. Time management. Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people. Client focus. Result focus

Duties: Assist with recruitment and selection processes, including scheduling interviews and preparing interview packs. Maintain and update employee records both digitally and in hard copy. Assist in responding to employee queries and redirecting matters to relevant HR officers. Support the filing and archiving of HR documents. Provide general administrative support to the HR team, including organising meetings and preparing minutes. Contribute to the overall development of SMU and actively improve institutional culture. Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager

Remuneration and Benefits Intern

Ref No: REM/BGM/Intern

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in Accounting, Finance, Economic,  Human Resource Management or equivalent (attach transcript)

Skills and Competencies: Basic understanding of remuneration structures and benefits schemes. Strong numerical and analytical skills. Computer literacy (MS Office Suite). Good communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to pay attention to detail. Time management. Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people. Client focus. Result focus

Duties: Assist in the implementation and maintenance of salary structures and pay scale. Support job profiling, evaluation, and grading processes.  Participate in salary benchmarking exercises and help compile related market analysis. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for benefit providers (e.g. medical aid, retirement funds). Assist with processing monthly remuneration inputs, including salary adjustments and allowances. Help prepare remuneration and benefits reports for management decision-making.  Provide first-line support to employees on benefit-related queries, including pensions and medical aid. Ensure compliance with tax regulations, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), and internal remuneration-related policies. Contribute to the overall development of SMU and actively improve institutional culture. Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager