Robben Island Museum invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for several 6-month contract vacancies across different departments. Available positions include Bus Drivers, Shop Assistants, General Tour Guides, Prison Guides, Ticket-Sales Officers, Information Officers and Switchboard Operators.
Applications must be submitted before the closing date of 18 August 2026 at 16:00. Applicants must follow the application instructions for the position they wish to apply for and use the correct subject line when submitting applications by email.
Available Positions
- Bus Drivers X6
- 6-Month Contract
- Shop Assistants X3
- 6-Month Contract
- General Tour Guides X10
- 6-Month Contract
- Prison Guides X8
- 6-Month Contract
- Ticket-Sales Officers X8
- 6-Month Contract
- Information Officers X6
- 6-Month Contract
- Switchboard Operators X2
- 6-Month Contract
Closing Date: 18 August 2026 at 16:00
Candidates are encouraged to carefully review the requirements for each position before submitting an application. Applications must be submitted by email using the correct email address and subject line provided for the position.
BUS DRIVERS X6
Department: Visitor Operations
Purpose of the job: To assist in transporting visitors and residents to and from the prison and around the island, shuttling residents from the harbour to their place of residence in the village on the island, drive the bus and be able to sleep over on the Island and be able to work shifts.
Key performance areas:
- Transporting visitors following a pre-planned route to a definite time schedule
- Regulating heating equipment and ventilation of the bus for the comfort of passengers
- Driving the bus at a safe speed according to compliance with the National Road Traffic Acts and regulations
- Assuming responsibility for the safety of visitors in loading, unloading and transporting them to and from various sites
- Conducting vehicle inspection daily
- Checking water, fuel, oil and mechanical condition before following daily task
- Keeping operational records and compiling simple reports
- Reporting defects or problems with vehicle to the unit manager
- Adhering to maintenance schedule instructions
- Reporting delays or accidents
- Signing of logbooks daily to keep operational records
- Assisting passengers, such as elderly or disabled individuals, on and off the bus, ensuring they are seated properly
- Communicating to passengers of likely delays
- Checking wheel ramps at all times to help disabled customers as and when required
Experience and technical skills:
- Grade 10
- Matric will be an added advantage
- Minimum of three years verifiable driving experience on light and heavy vehicles
- Knowledge of safety rules and regulations
- Valid unendorsed driver’s license (Code 14) with valid PDP
- Good driving record
- No drunken driving
How to apply: Forward a detailed CV with Contactable Referees and a Copy of ID to [email protected] using the subject line “BUS DRIVERS 08/2026” no later than 18 August 2026 @ 16:00. Late submissions will automatically be disqualified.
SHOP ASSISTANTS X3
Department: Finance
Purpose of the job: Responsible for all areas of stock control, cash handling and carrying of cargo — both from sale of merchandise.
Key performance areas:
- Responsible for all aspects of stock handling
- Responsible for loading and offloading of cargo
- Dealing with sales and admissions
- Reconciling cash receipts daily
- Monitoring the stock budget and ensuring purchases are contained within the purchasing budget
- Ensuring standards of quality, customer service and health and safety are met
- Responding to customer complaints and comments
- Responding to general enquiries about the centre and local history, where necessary
- Organising special promotions and displays
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ensuring the security of the stock
Experience and technical skills:
- Matric
- Higher Certificate in Retail Business Management, Retail Management, Marketing, Sales, or Business Management will be an added advantage
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in retail, customer service or till operator/cashier
- Literacy and numeracy
- Ability to speak English and at least two other languages (foreign or local)
How to apply: Forward a detailed CV with Contactable Referees and a Copy of ID to [email protected] using the subject line “SHOP ASSISTANTS 08/2026” no later than 18 August 2026 @ 16:00. Late submissions will automatically be disqualified.
GENERAL TOUR GUIDES X10
Department: Visitor Operations
Purpose of the job: Responsible for conducting research and combining the information into a story that gives tourists an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge Robben Island’s history including marine life, marine history, history of buildings, geographical information, and the natural environment.
Key performance areas:
- Analyse tour roster
- Verify that vehicles are appropriate and drivers are available
- Check guide equipment in vehicle
- Receive tourists at the harbour on their arrival
- Assess the needs of the tourists and coordinate necessary arrangements (e.g. wheelchairs and prams)
- Acquaint the tourist with the tour structure, amenities and the rules and regulations of Robben Island
- Conduct the tour of Robben Island highlighting information on history including marine life, marine history, history of buildings, geographical information, and the natural environment
- Correlate information about the history of the world and Robben Island’s context
- Manage stops during tours
- Conclude tours and hand over tourists to Prison Guides
- Search information relating to Robben Island history (internet, newspaper, policies, videos, etc.)
- Participate in discussions, forums, meetings and training sessions within or outside the organisation
- Discuss and expand information with peers and management
- Design, develop and include relevant information in tour
- General administration duties
Experience and technical skills:
- Registered Tour Guide with Western Cape badge
- Diploma/Degree in Tourism/History/Social Science or any other related qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree will be an added advantage
- Minimum of two (2) years relevant experience
- Fluency in English and one other official language
- Understanding of South African and world political history and current events
- Knowledge of environmental heritage and tourism
- Fluency in a foreign language would be an advantage
How to apply: Forward a detailed CV with Contactable Referees and a Copy of ID to [email protected] using the subject line “GENERAL TOUR GUIDES 08/2026” no later than 18 August 2026 @ 16:00. Late submissions will automatically be disqualified.
PRISON GUIDES X8
Department: Public Heritage Education
Purpose of the job: Responsible for relating the multi-layered history of Robben Island Museum in a coherent professional manner to visitors and conducting research about the history of Robben Island Museum in relation to the history of SA and the world, combining the information into a story that gives visitors an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge Robben Island Museum’s socio-political history in relation to its natural and built environment.
Key performance areas:
- Referring to the tour schedule to obtain tour times and numbers
- Verifying appropriate vehicle and driver are available; checking tour guide equipment
- Acquainting the tourist with the tour structure, amenities and rules and regulations of RIM
- Conducting the tour of Robben Island Museum highlighting information related to political history, history of the prison, history of the built and natural environment
- Contextualising the history of the world and relating it to the history of Robben Island Museum
- Managing stops during the tour
- Searching for information relating to Robben Island Museum history and political issues
- Participating in discussions, forums, meetings and training sessions within or outside Robben Island Museum
- Discussing and expanding information; designing and implementing information into the tour
- General administrative duties
Experience and technical skills:
- Ex-political prisoners of Robben Island with knowledge of the history of the prison
- One (1) year experience will be an added advantage
- Fluent in at least 2 SA official languages
- Foreign language — optional but an advantage
- Computer literacy
How to apply: Forward a detailed CV with Contactable Referees, a Copy of ID, and verifiable Prison number to [email protected] using the subject line “PRISON GUIDES 08/2026” no later than 18 August 2026 @ 16:00. Late submissions will automatically be disqualified.
INFORMATION OFFICERS X6
Department: Visitor Operations (reporting to Information Supervisor)
Purpose of the job: Responsible for providing visitors with information and services about Robben Island Museum and ensuring their visit is safe and efficient.
Key performance areas:
- Welcome visitors/tourists at the RIM Information Office and Murray’s Harbour
- Receive and refer requests from various sources telephonically and/or via email
- Dispense information on tourism services and products offered at RIM and elsewhere in the Western Cape
- Assist with facilitating visits from schools
- Assist visitors with the use of the technical facilities of the exhibitions, e.g. touch screens
- Collect and register lost and found property
- Make announcements on boarding and departure
- Ensure electronic information board is updated
- Assist visitors with special needs, e.g. wheelchairs, prams
- Assist sea-sick visitors and arrange paramedics
- Report any maintenance, security and cleaning issues to the relevant departments
- Hand out and collect Robben Island feedback questionnaires/surveys and forward to the correct department
- Supply information about the conference facilities at the Gateway
- Check and validate the tickets of visitors
- Facilitate boarding of clients on ferries
- Monitor the number of people boarding the ferry each trip every day
Experience and technical skills:
- Matric
- Higher Certificate in Tourism/Public Relations or Marketing will be an added advantage
- Customer Service certificate will be an added advantage
- Minimum of two (2) years customer service-related experience
- Computer literacy
- Fluency in 2 official languages
- Customer service orientation
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
How to apply: Forward a detailed CV with Contactable Referees and a Copy of ID to [email protected] using the subject line “INFORMATION OFFICERS 08/2026” no later than 18 August 2026 @ 16:00. Late submissions will automatically be disqualified.
SWITCHBOARD OPERATORS X2
Department: Visitor Operations (reporting to Information Supervisor)
Purpose of the job: Responsible for channelling all incoming calls, faxes and post to the relevant RIM employee and monitoring phone usage.
Key performance areas:
- Channel incoming calls to the appropriate person or department
- Take messages and email them to the appropriate person
- Provide caller with basic information about RIM
- Report faulty telephone equipment or switchboard
- Provide information and update the online staff directory
- Consolidate staff’s phone usage in a spreadsheet for managers
- Analyse pin code usage and report discrepancies to the appropriate authority
- Create speed dials for managers
- Receive and distribute post
- Receive, register and distribute faxes
- Direct visitors to relevant offices
Experience and technical skills:
- Matric
- Higher Certificate in Tourism/Public Relations or Marketing will be an added advantage
- Minimum of two (2) years experience in switchboard or telephone reception
- Computer literacy
- Fluency in 2 official languages
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with effective active listening and interpersonal communication skills
- Customer service orientation
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Polite telephone etiquette
How to apply: Forward a detailed CV with Contactable Referees and a Copy of ID to [email protected] using the subject line “SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR 08/2026” no later than 18 August 2026 @ 16:00. Late submissions will automatically be disqualified.
Important Application Information
Closing Date: 18 August 2026
Closing Time: 16:00
Late applications will automatically be disqualified.
Applicants must submit a detailed CV with contactable referees and a copy of ID. Additional documents are required for certain positions, such as the verifiable prison number for Prison Guide applicants.
Preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with the Robben Island Museum Employment Equity Plan.
Applicants who do not receive communication within 30 days should consider their application unsuccessful.
By submitting a CV or application, the applicant grants Robben Island Museum permission to use personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013, including the revised amendment dated 2021.
Robben Island Museum also notes that the naming convention, grading and related salary level may change, subject to the outcome of the Organisational Design process currently underway.
Candidates should carefully check the requirements of the specific position and ensure that the correct email address, subject line and supporting documents are used before submitting an application.