Masakh'isizwe Bursary Programme

The name Masakh’iSizwe comes from the Nguni languages and means “Let’s Build the Nation”. The programme aims to address skills shortages. It also empowers youth by giving them an opportunity to obtain a tertiary qualification. They do this through full-time studies at Higher Education Institutions in the Western Cape Province.

About Masakh'iSizwe

The Western Cape Government established the Masakh’iSizwe (MiS) Bursary Programme in 2006. The goal was to make cohorts of trained professionals available in engineering and built environmental fields. The MiS Bursary Programme awards external bursaries for studies at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Western Cape Province (WCP). The studies should relate to a degree or diploma in transport, engineering, built environment, or disciplines the Department of Infrastructure deems scarce and critical.

It partnered with higher education institutions (HEI), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the relevant professional bodies to develop professionals in engineering and the built environment fields by offering bursaries to study towards a degree or higher diploma in the following disciplines:

• Property studies
• Geomatics
• Transport economics
• Transportation engineering
• Mechatronics
• Electrical and/or electronic engineering
• Civil engineering
• Construction management
• Mechanical engineering
• Quantity surveying
• Town/City and regional planning
• Architecture, etc.

The Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme:

• Prioritises disadvantaged learners when awarding bursaries, especially women, students with disabilities and learners from rural communities.
• Provides support services programmes.
• Secures learning opportunities for Masakh’iSizwe bursars (i.e. interns).
• Secures employment opportunities for graduates.

Guiding principles

• Vision and objectives

Policies

• Appointment of graduates policy
• Bursary policy
• Placement policy

Bursary application

Applicants can complete an online application or physical application.

• Masakh'iSizwe Advert 2025
• Supporting documents requirements
• Online applications
• Manual application form

Student support

• FAQs
• Student support programmes
• Professional development programme
• In-service training

Important links

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• University of Cape Town
• Stellenbosch University