SITA ICT Bursary 2026

## About the Provider The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) was established in 1999 with the mandate of consolidating the South African government's information technology resources. The agency's core purpose is to increase service delivery capabilities, achieve cost savings through economies of scale, and enhance interoperability across government departments and entities. SITA is one of the largest IT organisations in South Africa, generating significant employment and delivering IT products and services to government at all levels — national, provincial, and local. The agency operates under legislation that defines both mandatory services (which SITA must provide to government) and non-mandatory services (which SITA may provide on request). The agency plays a critical role in South Africa's digital transformation agenda, supporting government's vision of using technology to improve service delivery to citizens. SITA's work spans network infrastructure, application development, cybersecurity, data management, cloud computing, and IT governance across hundreds of government departments and entities. SITA is committed to the government's IT House of Values initiative, which aims to reduce costs while enhancing productivity and improving services to South African citizens. As part of this commitment, the agency invests in developing the next generation of ICT professionals through its bursary programme, recognising that skilled graduates are essential to achieving these goals. As a registered Employment Equity provider, SITA actively works to transform the demographics of the ICT sector. The agency recognises that South Africa faces a significant skills gap in technology fields — estimated at over 70,000 unfilled IT positions nationally — and uses its bursary programme as one mechanism to address this shortage while promoting diversity and inclusion in the sector.

## About the Program The SITA Bursary Programme awards 20 bursaries annually to students pursuing qualifications in the Information and Communications Technology sector. The programme specifically targets students who are already in their second year of study, ensuring that recipients have demonstrated academic commitment and capability at tertiary level. The programme covers a focused range of ICT qualifications that align with SITA's operational needs and the broader skills demands of South Africa's public sector IT infrastructure. These include Computer Science, Computer Science specialising in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, ICT in Application Development, ICT in Communication Networks, and Information Technology. What makes this bursary particularly comprehensive is its coverage of expenses beyond tuition. Recipients receive funding for prescribed study materials, accommodation, meals, allowances, and work-integrated learning where applicable. This holistic support ensures that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from completing their qualifications. The programme is designed to establish a pipeline that addresses the current skills gap within the ICT sector, particularly in government. By funding students in high-demand fields like AI, cybersecurity, and data science, SITA ensures that the public sector has access to graduates with cutting-edge technical skills. As an Employment Equity provider, SITA awards bursaries based on its Equity Plan, with preference given to candidates who will help transform the demographics of the ICT workforce. This approach balances academic merit with the imperative of building a representative technology sector. The programme has grown in importance as South Africa accelerates its digital transformation agenda. Government departments increasingly rely on sophisticated IT systems for service delivery, cybersecurity, data analytics, and citizen engagement. SITA's bursary programme directly addresses the talent pipeline needed to support these initiatives.

## Bursary Benefits - **Full tuition fees** at a public tertiary institution in South Africa - **Prescribed study materials** including textbooks, software licences, and technical resources - **Accommodation** funding for the duration of studies - **Meals allowance** to cover daily food expenses throughout the academic year - **Personal allowances** for living costs and transport - **Work-integrated learning** support where applicable to the qualification, providing real-world experience in government IT environments - Exposure to government IT infrastructure and operations through SITA's network

## Eligibility Criteria - Must be a **South African citizen** - Must have **completed Matric** - Must be studying towards one of the listed **ICT-related qualifications** (BSc Computer Science, BSc AI, BSc Cyber Security, BSc Data Science, Diploma in ICT Application Development, Diploma in ICT Communication Networks, or BSc Information Technology) - Must be registered for **2nd year of study** in 2026 - Must be studying at a **public tertiary institution** in South Africa - Must have achieved a **minimum overall average of 65%** - Must **not** be receiving any other bursary funding - Must **not** have been previously funded by the SITA bursary scheme - Preference given to students living with disabilities, as well as White, Coloured, and Indian students (in line with SITA's Employment Equity Plan)

## Required Documents - Certified copy of your **ID document** - Certified copy of your **Matric certificate** or statement of results - **Academic record or transcript** showing first-year results and overall average - **Proof of tertiary registration** for 2026 academic year - **Acceptance letter** from your tertiary institution (must be on official letterhead) - **Curriculum Vitae** detailing academic achievements, technical skills, and any IT-related experience or projects

## How to Apply 1. Complete the online SITA Bursary Application Form on the Microsoft Forms platform. 2. Prepare all required supporting documents as clear, certified copies. 3. Email your supporting documents to **externalbursaries2026@sita.co.za** with the subject line "SITA Bursary 2026". 4. Ensure both the online form and email submission are completed before the closing date of **1 April 2026**. 5. If selected, you will be contacted once the committee has finalised their decision. 6. If you have not been contacted within 3 months after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful. 7. SITA reserves the right to not award the bursary if suitable candidates are not identified.

## Tips for Success - **Ensure you are in your 2nd year** — this bursary does not fund first-year or final-year students, only those entering second year - **Check that your qualification matches** the listed fields exactly — SITA only funds specific ICT programmes at BSc or Diploma level - **Confirm you have no other funding** — receiving another bursary (including NSFAS) disqualifies you automatically - **Submit both the online form AND the email** — your application is incomplete without both components submitted separately - **Use the exact subject line** "SITA Bursary 2026" in your email to ensure it reaches the correct team and is not filtered out - **Certify all documents** at a police station or post office before submitting — uncertified copies will disqualify your application - **Include a professional CV** highlighting your technical skills, academic achievements, programming languages, and any IT-related projects or experience - **Apply early** — do not wait until the deadline as email submissions may experience delays or technical issues - **Highlight any disability** in your application if applicable, as preference is given to students with disabilities - **Keep proof of submission** — save your online form confirmation and email sent receipt for your records

## Career Prospects Graduates funded by the SITA Bursary enter one of the fastest-growing sectors in South Africa's economy. The ICT skills shortage means that qualified professionals are in high demand across both the public and private sectors, with starting salaries well above the national average for graduates. **Software Development** graduates build applications and systems for government departments, banks, telecommunications companies, and technology startups. South Africa's growing tech ecosystem in cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban offers strong opportunities for developers at all levels. **Cybersecurity** specialists protect critical infrastructure, financial systems, and government networks from increasingly sophisticated threats. This field has some of the highest starting salaries in IT due to the severe global shortage of qualified professionals. South Africa's financial sector alone employs thousands of cybersecurity professionals. **Data Science and AI** graduates analyse large datasets to inform policy decisions, optimise operations, and build intelligent systems. Government and private sector organisations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, creating strong demand for professionals who can extract insights from complex data. **Network Engineering** professionals design and maintain the communication infrastructure that connects government offices, hospitals, schools, and citizens to digital services. As South Africa expands broadband access, network specialists are essential. SITA itself offers career opportunities for graduates who wish to work in public sector IT, contributing to digital transformation that directly impacts service delivery to millions of South Africans. The agency employs thousands of IT professionals across its national operations.

## Frequently Asked Questions ## How many bursaries does SITA award each year? SITA awards 20 bursaries annually through this programme, making it competitive but achievable for strong candidates. ## Can first-year students apply? No. The bursary is specifically for students entering their 2nd year of study in 2026. You must have completed your first year successfully with a minimum 65% average. ## What if I am receiving NSFAS funding? If you are receiving any other bursary or funding (including NSFAS), you are not eligible for the SITA bursary. You must declare all funding sources in your application. ## Do I need to work for SITA after graduating? The source material does not specify a formal work-back obligation. Contact SITA directly at externalbursaries2026@sita.co.za for clarity on post-graduation commitments. ## What does the Employment Equity preference mean? SITA awards bursaries in line with its Equity Plan, which means preference is given to candidates from designated groups that are under-represented in the ICT sector, including students with disabilities and White, Coloured, and Indian students. ## Can I apply if I study at a private institution? No. You must be studying at a public tertiary institution in South Africa. Private colleges and universities are not eligible. ## What is the minimum academic requirement? You need an overall average of at least 65% in your most recent academic year to qualify. ## How long does the selection process take? If you have not been contacted within 3 months after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful. Only successful candidates are notified.

## Applications Closing Applications closed on **1 April 2026**. This listing is retained for reference. Check back for the next application cycle.

## About the Organization Email: externalbursaries2026@sita.co.za