If you’ve ever imagined yourself chasing a story through Johannesburg traffic or double-checking facts minutes before deadline, this is for you.
The Daily Maverick Journalism Intern 2026 intake is now open, and it’s not positioned as a gentle introduction to media.
With a closing date of 26 February 2026, the Johannesburg Bureau is recruiting four interns for an intensive 12-week residency. The tone of the advert is clear: this is serious newsroom work, not observation from the sidelines.
Why this internship stands out and why it feels intense
Many internships promise “exposure.”
Daily Maverick’s listing leans into something else: immersion.
The advert explicitly rejects the stereotype of interns fetching coffee. Instead, it places candidates “on the ground, in the thick of the action,” contributing to stories shaping South Africa’s economic and cultural hub.
That matters because Johannesburg is not an easy reporting environment.
It’s a city of contrasts: wealth and precarity, development and decay, political drama and everyday survival. Reporting here means navigating complexity: municipal politics, business power, community voices, and constant breaking news.
For aspiring journalists, that’s both exhilarating and demanding.
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Who this opportunity is realistically designed for
On paper, the requirements are straightforward:
- Education: Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism
- Location: Currently based in Johannesburg
- Language: Exceptional command of English
- Advantage: isiZulu, Sesotho, or Afrikaans
- Preferred: Valid SA driver’s license and reliable vehicle
In reality, the profile is more specific.
This internship is best suited for someone who already understands Joburg beyond headlines. Someone who knows the difference between Sandton’s boardrooms and Soweto’s local dynamics. Someone who can move comfortably between formal interviews and street-level conversations.
Academic excellence is mentioned but paired with “street-smart.”
That combination is rare, and intentionally so.
Daily Maverick is signaling that grades alone won’t carry you through a fast-paced newsroom.
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What interns are likely to experience day-to-day
While every newsroom differs, the duties listed provide strong clues:
- Conducting primary research
- On-the-ground reporting
- Assisting with news coverage
- Drafting articles and features
- Writing social media threads
- Building a network of sources
Expect tight deadlines.
Expect feedback that is direct and sometimes blunt. Newsrooms are high-pressure environments where clarity, accuracy, and speed coexist uneasily.
An intern may spend a morning attending a municipal briefing, an afternoon verifying claims from multiple sources, and an evening rewriting a piece after editorial review.
There’s also the digital layer.
“Digital storytelling” implies working across formats, not just writing articles, but understanding how stories travel on social platforms, newsletters, and multimedia channels.
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The pressure most applicants underestimate
What often surprises first-time newsroom interns isn’t the workload, it’s the emotional rhythm.
Stories fall through.
Sources go silent.
Facts don’t line up neatly.
You may chase a lead for days only for it to collapse under verification. Or publish a piece that receives public criticism. Or cover issues involving trauma, inequality, or conflict.
Resilience under pressure is not corporate jargon here.
It’s survival.
That’s why the advert emphasises energy, deadlines, and digital savvy. The Bureau is not just hiring potential; it’s testing durability.
What candidates should quietly assess before applying
Before rushing to submit an application, it’s worth asking:
- Are you comfortable with uncertainty and last-minute changes?
- Can you handle constructive criticism without losing confidence?
- Do you genuinely enjoy research, verification, and rewriting?
- Are you curious about Johannesburg’s realities, not just its image?
This internship is a poor fit for someone seeking a predictable routine.
It is a strong fit for someone drawn to complexity, urgency, and storytelling that carries public consequence.
A grounded reminder about outcomes
An internship, even at a respected publication, is not a guaranteed career launchpad.
It can open doors, build skills, and expand networks, but journalism remains competitive and economically volatile. Contract work, freelancing, and portfolio building are common realities after such programs.
That uncertainty doesn’t reduce the value of the experience.
But it should shape expectations.
Closing Date: 26 February 2026
Apply for the Daily Maverick Journalism Intern 2026
FAQs: Daily Maverick Journalism Intern 2026
How long is the internship?
12 weeks (residency format).
Where is it based?
Johannesburg, Gauteng.
What qualification is required?
Recently completed Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
Is multilingualism required?
Not required, but isiZulu, Sesotho, or Afrikaans is a strong advantage.
Do I need a driver’s license?
Highly preferred, along with access to a reliable vehicle.
Is this a typical “intern observer” role?
No. The advert stresses active reporting, research, and writing responsibilities.
Will this guarantee a permanent job?
No internship can guarantee that. It offers experience, not certainty.
For journalism graduates who thrive on deadlines, curiosity, and the unpredictable pulse of Johannesburg, the Daily Maverick Journalism Intern 2026 represents a serious, demanding opportunity.
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