The Department of Infrastructure welcomed students to the first Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Entrepreneurship Programme for Youth held in Cape Town from 10 to 12 July 2024.
Forty-five (45) Masakh’iSizwe bursary students from the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University (SU), and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) attended the 3-day workshop which aimed to provide them with the skills needed to run their own businesses.
“The aim of the workshop was to create awareness regarding entrepreneurship and available funding sources for launching or expanding a business,” said Malorato Mpiti from the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme.
“It is hoped that this initiative will positively affect the economy by creating new employment, fostering innovation, introducing funding opportunities available for youth, and educating graduates on government supply chain regulations.”
Organisations represented at the event include Nedbank, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC), the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).
“The Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme provides financial freedom of choice by paying the tuition of students, as well as providing support services to enhance students’ careers,” said Phumla Marx, who is studying for a Master of City and Regional Planning postgraduate qualification at UCT.
“At the session we learnt other ways in which we can enrich our education and professional lives by the programme bringing in a diverse range of businesses to educate students in the financial aspects of professional life, as well as the other options available to students.”
Those interested in pursuing careers in the transport, engineering, and built environment sectors are invited to apply for a Masakh’iSizwe bursary. Prospective careers include property studies, geomatics, transport economics, transportation engineering, mechatronics, electrical and/or electronic engineering, civil engineering, construction management, mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, or town/city and regional planning. Applications to study in 2025 close at the end of August 2024.
- Visit the Department of Infrastructure website for more information.