The HSRC officially welcomed the 2025–2027 cohort of interns during a vibrant and engaging virtual induction held on Friday, 16 May 2025. The session brought together over 360 participants, including interns, mentors, and host administrators, setting the stage for a transformative journey ahead.
The event opened with a warm welcome by Bongiwe Moni, Director of Capacity Development and Internships, followed by insightful opening remarks from HSRC CEO, Prof Sarah Mosoetsa, who emphasised the critical role of learning and transformation. She encouraged interns to view challenges and setbacks as valuable learning opportunities, saying: “At the HSRC, we encourage you to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them, as that is where real growth happens. Don’t be afraid to fail, because it’s through failure that we truly understand and improve. So, if you do something wrong, don’t be discouraged—reflect on it, learn, and apply that lesson moving forward. This is how we become better, together.”
Imraan Patel, the Deputy Director-General at the Department of Science, Technology & Innovation, reinforced the national significance of the programme in his message of support.
Dr Mzikazi Nduna, the Divisional Executive for Research Impact also welcomed the new cohort by highlighting how interns will contribute to impactful, innovation-driven research.
A standout moment was the inspiring personal journey shared by former intern Ridge Nhlamulo, whose story motivated the new intake. In his reflection, he shared how the Internship Programme shaped his career and professional development, ultimately landing him a permanent position in the hosting institution that hosted him for his internship.
Employee wellness took centre stage with Ms Letitia Mustafa introducing the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), underscoring the HSRC’s commitment to intern wellbeing. Administrative imperatives, including payroll, resignations, and timesheet protocols, were outlined by Nonkululeko Bhengu, while Sello Raseruthe provided a detailed walkthrough of the Programme Management Internship Online Portal to ensure smooth onboarding.
Moni closed the session with a forward-looking message, reaffirming HSRC’s dedication to supporting and guiding interns throughout their professional development.
The induction was a resounding success, offering clarity, inspiration, and a strong foundation for the 2025–2027 interns as they begin their journey with the HSRC.
