The Embassy of the Netherlands in South Africa has welcomed two new interns, Victoria Mooldijk and Philippe Jonker, who will spend the next six months gaining practical experience across the embassy’s political and economic departments in Pretoria.

The internship placements provide the two students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of South Africa–Netherlands relations while gaining first-hand experience of diplomatic work and international cooperation.

Victoria Mooldijk Joins the Political Department

Victoria Mooldijk has joined the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria for a six-month internship in the Political Department.

Her placement forms part of her two-year master’s programme in European Studies at Lund University. According to Mooldijk, the timing of her internship is particularly interesting, with South Africa’s municipal elections expected to take place in November.

She said she was looking forward to learning more about South Africa’s bilateral relationships and the country’s distinctive role in international affairs.

Alongside her work in the Political Department, Mooldijk will contribute to cultural and human rights-related events and research. She said the experience would provide her with a broader perspective on how different areas of diplomatic work complement one another.

Mooldijk also has a personal connection to South Africa, having previously visited the country with her family during her childhood. Her return will allow her to rediscover the country while exploring its wildlife, landscapes, mountains and waterfalls, as well as some of its neighbouring countries.

Philippe Jonker Joins the Economics Department

Philippe Jonker has joined the embassy’s Economics Department, also for a six-month period.

Jonker is in the final phase of his MSc Economics at the University of Amsterdam, where he specialises in International Finance and Trade.

He said he was looking forward to gaining practical experience through the embassy’s upcoming projects, including work connected to the African Green Hydrogen Summit.

His academic and professional interests also include agriculture. Jonker previously conducted a research project focusing on greenhouses in Indonesia and said he was enthusiastic about gaining further experience in the agricultural sector during his time in South Africa.

Jonker also has a long-standing connection with the country. He first travelled to South Africa with his parents and said he had always wanted to return. The opportunity to work in the country for six months, he noted, was even more rewarding than he had imagined.

Strengthening Understanding of Dutch-South African Relations

The arrival of Mooldijk and Jonker highlights the role of internships in providing young professionals and students with practical exposure to diplomacy, international relations, economics and cross-border cooperation.

Their respective placements will expose them to different aspects of the work undertaken by the Netherlands Embassy in South Africa, from political affairs, cultural and human rights initiatives to economic cooperation, agriculture and green hydrogen.

The embassy welcomed the two interns and expressed its enthusiasm about having them as part of its team for the next six months.