Need a bursary? Then read on!

Do you need a bursary for yourself or your child? Then read on!

With less than two months until applications close, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) is reminding South African youth to take full advantage of its bursary and scholarship programme. At a time of economic uncertainty and pressure for consumers, Sanral’s financial aid is designed to take the financial pressure off students and allow them to focus purely on excelling academically.

Laaiquah Frank, a go-getter who is currently in her final year of studying civil engineering at Wits University, is actively encouraging other young people to take up bursary opportunities. “I am deeply grateful for this bursary. Not only did it provide me with an education, but it allowed me to live meaningfully, and even contribute in some small way to making life a bit easier at home,” says Frank. Her advice to young people? “The possibilities are endless when your fire is burning inside. Don’t stress about the ‘how’ part. Just do it and chase your fire!”

While Sanral remains committed to developing a bank of civil engineering professionals in support of its mandate of building and maintaining South Africa’s national road network, the roads agency is cognisant of the fact that a multifaceted state-owned entity requires a strong and robust corporate structure to give effect to its mandate. Financial support through bursary allocations for disciplines such as public relations, auditing, supply chain management, law, human resources and finance, which collectively support the corporate structure, will give effect to that mandate.

Fefe Mzimane, who completed a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2015, says the financial assistance he received from Sanral has been life-changing. While working in the field in 2016, he soon learnt the difference between an engineering technician and a registered engineer. This inspired him to enrol for an undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University and, with Sanral’s help, he is currently completing his master’s degree.

The bursary programme, which formerly focused purely on funding engineering studies, is now within reach of students pursuing an array of tertiary qualifications at public universities across the country. In a holistic business environment, the auxiliary line functions that support Sanral’s engineering function are as crucial, and funding will therefore be available to full-time students studying law, public administration, finance, and human resources, among other subjects. Matriculants will need a 70% overall pass, while existing students will require 60% to be eligible for a Sanral bursary.

Bursaries cover:

• Tuition and registration
• Books and equipment
• Compulsory excursions and seminars
• Accommodation and meals
• Living allowance

Sanral’s scholarship programme

Sanral’s scholarship programme was originally developed to give financial support to learners from Grade 10 to Grade 12, ideally those who excel in mathematics and science. This year, scholarships are available to all high school learners, i.e., from Grade 8 to Grade 12, irrespective of their subject choices. Furthermore, where learners previously required a 70% overall aggregate to be eligible for consideration, they now require 60% with a view to improving their aggregate to 70%.

Scholarships cover:

• School fees
• Books and prescribed stationery
• Winter and summer uniforms
• Hostel accommodation (where applicable)
• Extra tuition classes in support of improved grades.

Bursary recipients are not automatically employed by Sanral upon completion of their studies. Through an internship programme, Sanral offers graduates the opportunity to work and apply their knowledge, while at the same time exposing them to other sectors within the greater built environment space. This expands their pool of opportunities and creates significant networking platforms for further career development.

Applications for bursaries and scholarships are available on the Sanral website and close on 30 September 2021.