Masakh’iSizwe (MiS) Bursary

Who can apply

• 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 2027
• You must be studying or have 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 (but not limited to), the following students: financially disadvantaged students female students students with disabilities students from the Western Cape, residing outside the Cape Metro
• financially disadvantaged students
• female students
• students with disabilities
• students from the Western Cape, residing outside the Cape Metro

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Masakh’iSizwe MiS - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Masakh’iSizwe (MiS) Bursary South Africa 2027

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY COVER?

The Western Cape Government is inviting students to apply for the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme, for the 2027 academic year.

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

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

Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the following Western Cape-based universities:

• University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
• Stellenbosch University (SU)

WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY COVER?

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

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY?

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted - if you do not receive any feedback by 12 February 2027, please consider your application unsuccessful.

DOES THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY HAVE OBLIGATIONS OR 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.

After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to take up employment with the Department of Infrastructure will be required to undergo a Professional Development Training Programme to acquire professional registration.

WHAT ARE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 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 2027
• You must be studying or have 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 (but not limited to), the following students: financially disadvantaged students female students students with disabilities students from the Western Cape, residing outside the Cape Metro

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY?

Applications must be submitted online at: Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Application 2027

Applicants will be required to Register an Account before they can Login and apply.

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Masakh’iSizwe bursary.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY APPLICATION?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online 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)
• Most recent academic record, if currently at tertiary level (certified copy)
• Proof of registration or application at one of the aforementioned 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/ 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.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE MASAKH’ISIZWE BURSARY?

31 August 2026.(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted - please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I 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 9545Email: DoIBursary@westerncape.gov.zaRead the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary FAQ’s before submitting an enquiry.

WHAT DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE DO?

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.

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