SA: My journey as an intern – learning is continuous

By Siphelele Kunene, RWVL and MEL intern

My journey as a Communication and MEL Intern under Renewed Women’s Voice Leadership-SA began with great excitement. I feel privileged to be part of this impactful organization funded by Global Affairs Canada. Gender Links supports women’s rights organizations and promotes gender equality for women and girls.

The internship started on Monday, 3rd November 2025, in Johannesburg. This opportunity is significant for my personal growth and career development. It will also benefit my home organization as I plan to share all the knowledge and experiences gained during this internship.

The staff at Renewed Women’s Voice Leadership-SA are incredibly friendly and welcoming. On the first day, we participated in an onboarding induction, where we learned about Global Affairs Canada, Renewed Women’s Voice Leadership South Africa, and Gender Links. I now confidently understand the distinctions among these entities.

On the second day, the onboarding continued with online training and webinars featuring various speakers who shared valuable insights. One of the key takeaways is that learning is continuous, which is especially beneficial for someone like me from a small organization where such platforms are limited.

A particularly informative session was on Sustainability and Fundraising, addressing a knowledge gap in my home organization. Additionally, I attended a MEL training session, and as interns, we were tasked with creating a story of change as part of the exercise. I am currently learning a lot and eagerly anticipate the upcoming months of the internship. I am excited to continue growing with Gender Links and proud to be part of an organization that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of women and girls.