Masakh’iSizwe (MiS) Bursary South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE

The Department of Infrastructure includes public works infrastructure, transport infrastructure, human settlements, and community based programmes/ Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

The Masakh’iSizwe (MiS) Bursary Programme was established by the Western Cape Government in 2006, with the aim of addressing skills shortages and at the same time, empowering youth by providing them an opportunity to obtain tertiary qualification through full-time studies at Higher Education Institutions in the Western Cape Province.

Each year, the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure partners with higher education institutions (HEI), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the relevant professional bodies, to provide bursary funding to students within the transport, engineering and built environment or any other disciplines deemed to be scarce and critical by the Department of Infrastructure.

ABOUT THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Department of Infrastructure is inviting students to apply for the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme, for the 2025 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the Transport, Engineering and Built Environment sector (Degree or Diploma), including the following fields:

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management
• Electrical Engineering (Heavy current)
• Geomatics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Property Studies
• Quantity Surveying
• Town/ City and Regional Planning
• Transport Economics/Studies

Bursaries will also be awarded for studies in disciplines deemed to be scarce and critical by the Department of Infrastructure.
 

MORE ABOUT THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY – EXPENSES COVERED & SELECTION

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, prescribed study materials, support programmes, accommodation and meals (or transport costs).

The bursary also provides students with the following benefits: support services programmes, secures learning opportunities for bursary recipients (interns) and secures employment opportunities for graduates.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted – if you do not receive any feedback by 14 February 2025, please consider your application unsuccessful.

MORE ABOUT THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY – OBLIGATIONS & SERVICE CONTRACT

During the course of studies, bursary recipients may be required to perform the following during certain weekends: attend workshops; events and meetings, partake in academic experiential training and partake in outreach programmes.

Upon graduation, bursary recipients employed by the Department of Infrastructure will be required to undergo a Professional Development Training Programme to acquire professional registration.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be currently in Matric or you must have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a Degree or Diploma in one of the fields listed above, in 2025
• You must be studying or have applied and been accepted to study at one of the following universities in the Western Cape: University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Stellenbosch (SU) or Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
• Preference will be given to: financially disadvantaged students, female students, students with disabilities and students from the Western Cape

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY

Applications must be submitted in either of the following ways:

Online application
Step 1: Register an account on the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary System
Step 2: Login to the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary System
Step 3: Complete the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Application
Step 4: Upload your supporting documents listed below

Manual application
Step 1: Download and complete the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Application Form 2025 (.pdf)
Step 2: Collect your supporting documents listed below
Step 3: Submit your completed application form and document via:

• Email: DoiBursary@westerncape.gov.za (used the reference: BursaryApplication2025)
• Courier: Masakh’iSizwe Bursary programme, 23rd Floor, The Box, 9 Lower Burg Street, Cape Town, 8000
• Hand delivery: Masakh’iSizwe Bursary programme, 23rd Floor, The Box, 9 Lower Burg Street, Cape Town, 8000

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric most recent results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Full academic record, if currently at tertiary level (certified copy)
• Proof of registration or application at one of the aforementioned tertiary institutions
• Full course outline for the 2025 academic year
• Study cost estimate for the 2025 academic year
• Proof of residential address (recent account or utility bill – not older than 3 months)
• Parents or guardians ID documents/ death certificates if deceased (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of sassa grant or pension if applicable)
• Motivational letter to support your application (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
• Proof of any existing debt (if applicable)
• Proof of any other financial aid received (if applicable)
• Medical proof of disability (if disabled)
• Police clearance certificate (if you have a criminal record)

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY

Applicants are encouraged to read the following before applying:

• Students who have applied to more than 1 university or more than 1 discipline, must submit a separate application for each.
• Applicants are encouraged to read the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme Policies and documents before applying.

CLOSING DATE FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY

31 August 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Department of Infrastructure Masakh’iSizwe Office directly:
Tel: 021 483 0964 / 021 483 9545
Email: DoIBursary@westerncape.gov.za
Read the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary FAQ’s before submitting an enquiry.
Please do NOT contact the Department of Infrastructure if this bursary has already closed.