South Africa: A transformative journey, my intern experience

Starting my internship at Gender Links in November was truly a game changer. From day one, I knew this would be a space where I would not only learn new things but also unlearn old assumptions. It has been an honour to be part of a team that is dedicated, hardworking, and deeply committed to ensuring that the organisations they work with are fully capacitated in every aspect. Being surrounded by such passion and purpose has been both inspiring and motivating.

As a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) intern, my reality was constantly challenged in the best way possible. This role pushed me beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to see the bigger picture of how development work truly functions. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the importance of Monitoring and Evaluation, and how essential it is for it to go hand in hand with evidence. Evidence is not just about ticking boxes; it tells the story of the work being done and allows funders to clearly see the impact of their investment within organisations.

Through M&E, I also came to appreciate the value of transparency. Transparency builds trust, and as we all know, all relationships, professional or otherwise, thrive when transparency is present. Understanding how data, reporting, and storytelling connect has completely changed the way I view organisational work and accountability.

Working on the Gender Links website was another major highlight of my internship, even though it came with its fair share of challenges. Learning how to edit, upload, and manage content required patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn continuously. Knowing that the website would be launched with stories that we edited and uploaded ourselves is honestly a flex. It gave me a deep sense of pride to know that my work would be visible and accessible to a wider audience.

I am incredibly proud of the team I work with. Two amazing women who made collaboration easy and enjoyable. We learned so much from each other, shared ideas, supported one another, and grew together. Working in such a positive and empowering environment made the experience even more meaningful.

One of my hopes moving forward is to continue learning more about website management. This skill is crucial, especially for grassroots organisations that often struggle to manoeuvre around digital platforms and online visibility. Through this internship, I have gained the confidence to say that I can manage a website and thrive. I now understand how important it is to ensure that organisational work is not only done but also seen, documented, and shared with the world.

This internship has developed me both personally and professionally. It has strengthened my confidence, sharpened my skills, and expanded my understanding of communications, M&E, and organisational capacity building. I know that with the experience I’ve gained, more opportunities are coming, and I cannot wait to fully apply and share everything I have learned.

This journey at Gender Links has been nothing short of transformative, and I am grateful to part of it. Can’t wait for the summit to cook more.