In an increasingly competitive graduate job market, Old Mutual's Corporate Internship Programme stands out as a rare opportunity for South African graduates to launch their careers with one of the continent's most respected financial institutions. With operations spanning 14 African countries and a legacy of excellence in investment, retirement, and risk management solutions, Old Mutual is offering ambitious graduates a chance to be part of something transformative.

Why This Internship Programme Matters for South African Graduates

South Africa's graduate unemployment crisis has made securing quality internships more critical than ever. Old Mutual's Corporate Internship Programme addresses this challenge head-on by providing structured career development opportunities that go beyond typical entry-level positions. This isn't just an internship — it's a carefully designed pathway into professional financial services.

The programme targets recent graduates across multiple disciplines, recognising that diverse perspectives drive innovation in modern financial services. Whether you've studied Financial Planning, Economics, Accounting, Finance, IT, or Business Management, this programme offers you the platform to convert academic excellence into professional achievement.

What Makes Old Mutual's Programme Different?

Old Mutual Corporate has built its reputation as a trusted financial partner to businesses ranging from SMEs to large corporations and intermediaries. As an intern, you won't be relegated to menial tasks or left to navigate the corporate world alone. Instead, you'll be immersed in meaningful work that directly impacts the organisation's mission of "Championing Mutually Positive Futures Every Day."

Who Should Apply? Breaking Down the Eligibility Requirements

Old Mutual has designed this programme to be accessible while maintaining high standards. The organisation recognises that potential comes in many forms, and fresh perspectives often drive the most innovative solutions. Here's what you need to qualify:

Importantly, Old Mutual is committed to diversity and inclusivity. The organisation actively welcomes applications from candidates with disabilities, ensuring equal access to career development opportunities across all demographics.

Career Pathways: Where This Internship Can Take You

The financial services sector in South Africa continues to evolve, creating demand for skilled professionals who understand both traditional finance and emerging technologies. Old Mutual's programme positions you at the intersection of these trends, preparing you for roles in:

Financial Planning and Wealth Management

Learn how to develop comprehensive financial strategies for diverse client portfolios, from individual retirement planning to corporate investment solutions. Gain expertise in the products and services that help South Africans secure their financial futures.

Risk Management and Analytics

Dive into the world of actuarial science, risk assessment, and data analytics. Understand how Old Mutual protects clients while maintaining competitive product offerings in an uncertain economic environment.

Technology and Digital Transformation

For IT graduates, this programme offers exposure to fintech innovation, digital banking solutions, and the technological infrastructure that supports modern financial services. Contribute to systems that serve millions of customers across Africa.

Business Strategy and Operations

Engage with the strategic planning, operational efficiency, and service excellence initiatives that keep Old Mutual competitive in Africa's dynamic financial landscape. Learn how corporate decisions translate into customer value.

Why Johannesburg and Cape Town?

The programme's location in South Africa's two premier business hubs is strategic. Johannesburg, as Africa's financial capital, offers unparalleled exposure to corporate finance, investment banking, and institutional asset management. The city's concentration of financial services headquarters provides networking opportunities that extend well beyond Old Mutual.

Cape Town, meanwhile, combines financial services excellence with a burgeoning technology sector. As one of Africa's fastest-growing tech ecosystems, Cape Town offers insights into how digital innovation is reshaping financial services delivery across the continent.

The hybrid work arrangement reflects Old Mutual's understanding of modern work preferences while ensuring meaningful in-person collaboration and mentorship opportunities that are crucial for early-career development.

The Application Process: Getting Your Foot in the Door

Old Mutual has streamlined the application process to be as accessible as possible while allowing candidates to showcase their qualifications comprehensively. Successful applicants demonstrate not just academic achievement, but also alignment with Old Mutual's values and genuine enthusiasm for financial services.

Required Documentation

Prepare a complete application package including your comprehensive curriculum vitae, certified copies of your academic transcripts, matriculation certificate, degree certificate, and South African ID. Attention to detail in compiling these documents demonstrates the professionalism Old Mutual seeks in its interns.

What Old Mutual Looks For

Beyond the technical requirements, Old Mutual seeks candidates who embody specific competencies: collaborative mindset, effective communication, customer focus, accountability, ability to manage complexity, process optimisation thinking, organisational awareness, and strategic planning capability. Consider how your academic projects, extracurricular activities, or personal experiences demonstrate these qualities.

Understanding Old Mutual's Commitment to Transformation

The appointment will be made from designated groups in line with Old Mutual's Employment Equity Plan. This commitment reflects South Africa's broader transformation agenda and Old Mutual's role in creating an inclusive financial services sector that reflects the country's demographics.

For candidates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, this programme represents more than just a career opportunity — it's part of Old Mutual's contribution to building a more equitable South African economy. The organisation's track record in developing talent from diverse backgrounds speaks to its genuine commitment to transformation beyond mere compliance.

Beyond the Internship: Long-Term Career Prospects

While the programme is structured as an internship, many participants leverage this experience into permanent roles within Old Mutual or across the broader financial services sector. The skills, networks, and industry insights you gain provide a foundation for long-term career success.

Old Mutual's extensive operations across Africa also open possibilities for international assignments and cross-border experience — increasingly valuable in a globalising financial services landscape. The pan-African perspective you'll develop positions you uniquely in a sector where understanding diverse markets is increasingly crucial.

Preparing for Success: What to Do Before March 2026

If selected, you'll need to hit the ground running on 1 March 2026. Use the time between now and then productively. Stay informed about developments in South African financial services, familiarise yourself with Old Mutual's product offerings and recent initiatives, and consider pursuing relevant online certifications or courses to complement your degree.

Networking with current or former Old Mutual employees, if possible, can provide valuable insights into the organisation's culture and expectations. Professional networking platforms, industry events, and even informational interviews can help you arrive prepared and confident.

The Bigger Picture: Your Role in Africa's Financial Future

This internship transcends personal career development. As an Old Mutual intern, you become part of an organisation actively shaping Africa's financial landscape. From helping small businesses access growth capital to securing retirement for millions of workers, the work you'll contribute to has genuine social and economic impact.

South Africa faces complex economic challenges — unemployment, inequality, and the need for inclusive growth. The financial services sector plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges by facilitating investment, managing risk, and creating pathways to financial security. Your work, even as an intern, contributes to these broader objectives.

Key Competencies You'll Develop

Throughout the programme, you'll build both technical and soft skills that remain relevant across your entire career. Collaborative problem-solving, effective stakeholder communication, customer-centric thinking, accountability in delivery, managing complex financial scenarios, optimising business processes, organisational awareness, and strategic planning — these competencies transfer across roles and industries.