Masakh'iSizwe Bursary 2027

About the Provider

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure is a provincial government department responsible for public works infrastructure, transport infrastructure, human settlements, and community-based programmes including the Expanded Public Works Programme. The department plays a critical role in developing and maintaining the physical infrastructure that supports economic growth and service delivery across the Western Cape province.

Recognising the severe skills shortages in the engineering and built environment sectors, the department established the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme in 2006. The programme's name, meaning 'building the nation' in isiXhosa, reflects its core purpose: empowering young South Africans by providing them with opportunities to obtain tertiary qualifications through full-time studies at higher education institutions in the Western Cape.

Each year, the department partners with higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations, and relevant professional bodies to provide comprehensive bursary funding to students pursuing qualifications in transport, engineering, and built environment disciplines. These partnerships ensure that bursary recipients receive not only financial support but also academic guidance and professional development opportunities.

The programme specifically targets disciplines deemed scarce and critical by the Department of Infrastructure, ensuring that funded students will graduate into fields where their skills are urgently needed. This strategic approach to bursary allocation means that graduates have strong employment prospects upon completing their studies.

The Masakh'iSizwe programme has grown significantly since its inception, becoming one of the Western Cape's flagship skills development initiatives. It demonstrates the provincial government's commitment to investing in human capital as a foundation for sustainable infrastructure development and economic growth.

About the Program

The Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme provides comprehensive funding for students pursuing degree or diploma qualifications in the engineering and built environment sector at Western Cape-based universities. The programme covers studies at three participating institutions: the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Stellenbosch University.

Funding is available across nine specialised fields: Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Construction, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current), Geomatics, Mechanical Engineering, Property Studies, and Quantity Surveying. These fields represent the core disciplines needed to plan, design, build, and maintain South Africa's physical infrastructure.

The bursary provides comprehensive financial support covering tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, prescribed study materials, support programmes, and either accommodation and meals or transport costs. This generous package ensures that financial constraints do not prevent talented students from completing their qualifications.

Beyond financial support, the programme includes obligations that prepare students for professional practice. During their studies, recipients may be required to attend workshops, events, and meetings on certain weekends, participate in academic experiential training, and take part in outreach programmes. These activities build professional networks and practical skills that complement academic learning.

After graduation, bursary recipients are required to take up employment with the Department of Infrastructure and undergo a Professional Development Training Programme to acquire professional registration. This work-back arrangement ensures that the province retains the skilled professionals it has invested in developing, while graduates gain structured pathways to professional registration in their respective fields.

Preference in the selection process is given to financially disadvantaged students, female students, students with disabilities, and students from the Western Cape residing outside the Cape Metro area. This targeting ensures the programme contributes to transformation and addresses historical inequalities in access to professional qualifications.

Bursary Benefits

• Full tuition fees covered at UCT, CPUT, or Stellenbosch University
• Prescribed textbooks provided for all courses
• Prescribed study materials funded
• Support programmes included as part of the bursary package
• Accommodation and meals covered, OR transport costs funded (depending on living arrangements)
• Academic experiential training during weekends
• Professional development workshops and events
• Guaranteed employment with the Department of Infrastructure after graduation
• Professional Development Training Programme to acquire professional registration
• Outreach programme participation building community engagement skills

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend to study full-time towards a Degree or Diploma in one of the approved fields for 2027
• You must be studying or have been accepted at one of the participating Western Cape universities: University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University (SU), or Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
• Preference is given to financially disadvantaged students
• Preference is given to female students
• Preference is given to students with disabilities
• Preference is given to students from the Western Cape residing outside the Cape Metro

Required Documents

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric most recent results if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Matric certificate if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Most recent academic record if currently at tertiary level (certified copy)
• Proof of registration or application at one of the participating tertiary institutions
• Full course outline/prospectus for the 2027 academic year
• Study cost estimate for the 2027 academic year
• Proof of residential address (recent account or utility bill, not older than 3 months)
• Parents or guardians ID documents or 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 supporting your 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)

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Application portal online.
2. Register an account on the portal to create your applicant profile.
3. Log in and begin completing the online application form.
4. Select your preferred university (UCT, CPUT, or Stellenbosch) and field of study from the approved list.
5. If you have applied to more than one university or more than one discipline, submit a separate application for each.
6. Prepare all required supporting documents as certified copies where specified.
7. Upload clear, legible copies of all documents to the portal.
8. Write a motivational letter explaining why you should be awarded the bursary and your commitment to the engineering/built environment sector.
9. Review your application carefully before final submission.
10. Submit your completed application before the closing date of 31 August 2026.
11. Read the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme Policies and documents on the Western Cape Government website before applying.

Tips for Success

• Submit separate applications if you are applying to more than one university or more than one discipline. Each combination requires its own application.
• Read the programme policies on the Western Cape Government website before applying. Understanding the obligations and expectations will help you prepare a stronger application.
• Highlight financial need in your motivational letter and supporting documents. The programme prioritises financially disadvantaged students.
• Get documents certified promptly — many documents require certified copies, which can take time to arrange at police stations or post offices.
• Ensure your proof of address is recent — it must not be older than 3 months. An outdated utility bill will not be accepted.
• Understand the work-back obligation before applying. You will be required to work for the Department of Infrastructure after graduation and complete a Professional Development Training Programme.
• Female applicants and those with disabilities should note that preference is given to these groups — mention this in your application where relevant.
• Students from outside the Cape Metro receive preference. If you reside in rural Western Cape areas, highlight this in your application.
• Include a complete course outline for your intended programme of study. This helps the selection panel understand the full scope of your qualification.
• Apply early — the August deadline gives you time, but gathering all certified documents and proof of income can take weeks.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme enter guaranteed employment with the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, where they undergo a structured Professional Development Training Programme designed to help them achieve professional registration in their respective fields.

Career paths available to Masakh'iSizwe graduates include:

• Civil engineering — designing and overseeing construction of roads, bridges, water systems, and public buildings
• Architecture — designing government buildings, schools, hospitals, and public facilities
• Quantity surveying — managing costs and contracts for major infrastructure projects
• City and regional planning — shaping urban development and land use across the Western Cape
• Electrical engineering — designing power systems for public infrastructure
• Mechanical engineering — maintaining and developing mechanical systems in government facilities
• Construction management — overseeing delivery of housing and infrastructure projects
• Geomatics — surveying and mapping for infrastructure planning
• Property studies — managing the province's extensive property portfolio

Professional registration (as a Professional Engineer, Professional Architect, Professional Quantity Surveyor, etc.) is a significant career milestone that the programme actively supports. Once registered, professionals can practice independently and command significantly higher salaries.

Beyond the initial work-back period, graduates with government experience and professional registration are highly sought after by both the public and private sectors. The combination of a quality qualification, structured professional development, and practical experience in large-scale infrastructure projects makes Masakh'iSizwe alumni competitive candidates for senior positions throughout their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities can I study at?

The programme funds studies at three Western Cape institutions: the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University (SU), and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). You must be enrolled or accepted at one of these universities.

What fields of study are covered?

Nine fields are funded: Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Construction, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current), Geomatics, Mechanical Engineering, Property Studies, and Quantity Surveying.

Is there a work-back obligation?

Yes. After graduation, you must take up employment with the Department of Infrastructure and complete a Professional Development Training Programme to acquire professional registration.

What does the bursary cover financially?

The bursary covers tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, prescribed study materials, support programmes, and either accommodation and meals or transport costs.

Who gets preference in the selection process?

Preference is given to financially disadvantaged students, female students, students with disabilities, and students from the Western Cape who reside outside the Cape Metro area.

Can I apply for more than one field or university?

Yes, but you must submit a separate application for each university or discipline combination. Each application is assessed independently.

When will I hear back about my application?

If you do not receive any feedback by 12 February 2027, you should consider your application unsuccessful. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Do I need to be from the Western Cape?

No. Any South African citizen can apply. However, preference is given to students from the Western Cape who reside outside the Cape Metro area.

Applications Closing

Applications close on 31 August 2026. Submit separate applications if applying for multiple universities or disciplines.

About the Organization

Tel: 021 483 0964 / 021 483 9545 Email: DoIBursary@westerncape.gov.za