Nature Connect has launched a countrywide appeal for 20 laptop donations to help a new group of graduate interns begin their careers in conservation.
The Cape Town-based environmental education and conservation organisation said 20 graduate interns started a 12-month internship programme on 8 October through funding from the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA).
“These graduates have already done the hard part: they have earned their qualifications and found their first workplace opportunity,” said Dr Anthony Roberts, CEO of Nature Connect.
Nature Connect said each intern is required to complete daily timesheets, monthly logbooks, development plans with mentors and portfolios of evidence throughout the internship. A laptop is essential for completing these responsibilities.
The organisation is calling on individuals, businesses and institutions across South Africa to donate working laptops so that every intern has access to the tools they need.
According to Nature Connect, purchasing 20 new laptops would divert funding away from its other environmental education and conservation projects.
The appeal comes as youth unemployment among South Africans aged 15 to 24 remains high at 60.9%, according to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2026. Nature Connect believes that accredited training, workplace experience and mentorship are key to helping young people secure long-term employment.
“Businesses in South Africa may be holding laptops they no longer need, and in a young conservationist’s hands that device becomes a working tool for the next twelve months. We would be grateful to hear from anyone who can help,” Roberts said.
Nature Connect, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has reached more than 100,000 people through its environmental education and conservation programmes. The organisation hopes the current group of interns will become the next generation of environmental leaders.
“Businesses in South Africa may be holding laptops they no longer need, and in a youngconservationist’s hands that device becomes a working tool for the next twelve months. We would be grateful to hear from anyone who can help,” Dr Roberts added.
People wishing to donate are encouraged to provide working laptops with chargers, preferably less than three years old.
The organisation said all donated devices will be securely wiped before being issued to interns and recorded on its asset register.
