Inside the 2025 Event Planning Programme: A Creative Journey into the Heart of South Africa’s Events Industry
From luxury weddings to corporate galas, this immersive internship is your gateway into one of South Africa’s most exciting and fast-paced industries
Where Every Detail Becomes a Story
Behind every unforgettable celebration is a planner—a visionary who makes magic happen through creativity, coordination, and connection. Whether it’s a lavish wedding under Cape Town skies or a sleek corporate launch in a luxury venue, event planners are the unsung heroes turning dreams into reality.
The 2025 Event Planning Internship Programme invites aspiring creatives and organized thinkers into the vibrant world of events management in South Africa. More than just shadowing professionals, this internship places you right in the action—coordinating live events, solving real challenges, and discovering what it takes to build memorable experiences from the ground up.
Set against the dynamic and multicultural backdrop of Cape Town, this internship is more than career-building—it’s life-changing.
Why Event Planning Matters
Events are more than gatherings—they are moments of connection, celebration, branding, and purpose. In today’s experience-driven world, event planning is no longer just about flowers and chairs; it’s about storytelling, strategy, and audience engagement.
Interns in the 2025 programme are given the rare chance to:
- Step into the professional events industry in a globally renowned destination
- Gain practical skills in project planning, budgeting, vendor relations, logistics, and décor
- Build a portfolio of real-world events that showcase creativity, problem-solving, and execution
- Explore a diverse mix of events—from private parties and weddings to conferences and corporate functions
A Week in the Life of an Event Planning Intern
Every week in this internship offers something new. You may be helping finalize floral arrangements on Monday, attending client meetings on Tuesday, setting up a venue on Thursday, and managing a guest list on Saturday.
You’ll work alongside experienced event coordinators who serve clients from a wide range of industries—hospitality, business, tourism, fashion, and the arts. This exposure allows you to see how different types of events are structured and executed.
Some real experiences might include:
- Creating event mood boards and vision decks for themed weddings or galas
- Touring venues and assisting with layout planning
- Liaising with photographers, DJs, caterers, and décor teams
- Preparing guest check-in stations and managing seating charts
- Monitoring live events and solving problems as they arise
- Collecting feedback from guests and clients post-event
It’s fast-paced. It’s hands-on. And it’s deeply rewarding.
The City That Never Stops Celebrating: Cape Town
The location of the internship is part of what makes it so special.
Cape Town is one of Africa’s premier destinations for weddings, tourism events, corporate retreats, and luxury experiences. From historic vineyards to oceanfront venues, the city offers a kaleidoscope of possibilities for event planning professionals.
Interns not only work in one of the world’s most stunning cities—they also have free time to explore it.
In Your Spare Time, You Can:
- Take a sunset cruise along the Atlantic Seaboard
- Visit Table Mountain or go hiking in Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Experience the vibrant art, food, and design scene in Woodstock and the City Bowl
- Spend weekends exploring the Winelands, Garden Route, or Cape Point
It’s the perfect balance of work and wonder.
Learning by Doing: Key Skills You’ll Develop
This internship doesn’t rely on theoretical learning—you gain real experience working on real events. But beyond learning what to do, you’ll also learn how to think like a professional planner: proactively, creatively, and strategically.
Core Skills You’ll Build:
- Project Management: Learn how to run timelines, checklists, and schedules
- Budgeting and Cost Control: Track vendor payments, negotiate pricing, and work within client budgets
- Client Communication: Sit in on meetings, help take briefs, and translate ideas into actionable plans
- Vendor Relations: Coordinate with florists, caterers, AV technicians, rental services, and more
- Design Thinking: Develop themes, colour palettes, floor plans, and table settings
- Crisis Management: Learn how to adapt quickly when weather changes or a supplier cancels
By the end of the internship, you’ll walk away with a well-rounded understanding of how the event planning process works from concept to curtain call.
Who Should Apply?
The 2025 Event Planning Internship Programme is ideal for anyone with an eye for detail, a love of storytelling, and a passion for bringing people together.
This internship may be perfect for:
- Students or graduates in hospitality, marketing, tourism, communications, or design
- Creative thinkers who want to gain structured, business-focused experience
- Future entrepreneurs considering launching their own event planning business
- People interested in luxury events, destination weddings, or corporate event management
- Career changers looking to break into the industry through practical experience
What you don’t need is perfection or prior experience in the field. What you do need is enthusiasm, professionalism, and the willingness to dive in and learn.
What Makes This Programme Stand Out?
1. Diverse Event Experience
Interns work on a wide spectrum of event types, allowing you to see how planning principles shift across industries and occasions.
2. Mentorship from Industry Professionals
Learn from event managers who’ve worked with major brands, artists, NGOs, and VIP clients. Their mentorship gives you insights that textbooks simply can’t offer.
3. Cultural Immersion
You’re not just working—you’re living in South Africa’s cultural hub. The exposure to different traditions, celebrations, and client styles is invaluable.
4. Professional Portfolio Development
Throughout the programme, you’ll collect images, reports, testimonials, and plans you can showcase to future employers or use to start your own business.
5. Real World Confidence
Nothing builds confidence like delivering a successful event. The satisfaction of seeing guests enjoying a space you helped bring to life is unforgettable.
Certification and References
On completion of the internship, participants receive:
- A Certificate of Completion
- A detailed reference letter from their event supervisor
- A personalised evaluation report highlighting key strengths and areas of growth
- Guidance on updating their CV/portfolio for future applications
Some interns may even be offered full-time roles with event companies or referred to other networks across South Africa or internationally.
Application Process: How to Get Involved
Spots for the 2025 programme are limited and competitive, so early application is recommended.
Application Requirements:
- Updated CV or resume
- A motivation letter explaining your interest in event planning and what you hope to learn
- Copies of qualifications or certifications (if available)
- A recent passport-sized photo for your intern ID
Where to Send Applications:
- Most applications are handled through the programme’s host partner or event agency.
- SUBMIT APPLICATIONS
- Check the official posting or website for exact contact details, deadlines, and interview timelines.
Testimonials from Past Interns
“I planned my first real wedding during this internship. I helped with everything from vendor meetings to managing the rehearsal. I left with confidence I never had before.”
– Thandeka, 2023 Intern
“Cape Town was the perfect place to learn event planning. I got exposure to traditional weddings, brand events, and even a fashion week showcase. Every week was new!”
– Jason, 2022 Intern
“I always dreamed of a creative career, and this internship proved I could do it. I now run a small event styling business in Johannesburg.”
– Zanele, 2021 Intern
Final Thoughts: Create Moments That Matter
In every celebration, there’s a story. There’s a couple saying “I do,” a company marking a milestone, a family gathering to honour heritage. As an event planner, you become the silent force behind those stories—shaping space, time, and experience in ways that leave lasting impressions.
The 2025 Event Planning Internship Programme isn’t just an opportunity to learn how events happen—it’s a doorway into the world of storytelling through experience. And there’s no better place to start your story than in the heart of Cape Town.
So, whether you’re a creative dreamer, a logistics lover, or someone who just enjoys seeing others celebrate—this could be the internship that changes everything.
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Browse our site for the latest internships in tourism, hospitality, arts, and design across South Africa. Every opportunity is one step closer to your career goals.
