Youth Opportunities Hub Internships, Learnerships, Graduate Programmes, Learnerships, Scholarships, Bursaries, Fellowships
Masakh’iSizwe Bursary 2027: Full-Time Engineering Bursary in the Western Cape (Apply Before 31 August)
The Western Cape Government has opened applications for the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme, offering fully funded full-time study towards engineering and built environment qualifications at three top Western Cape universities. This bursary is aimed at South African youth who want to become professionals in fields the Department of Infrastructure considers scarce and critical.
Applications close on 31 August 2026, so interested applicants should get their documents ready and apply without delay.
About the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme
The name Masakh’iSizwe comes from the Nguni languages and means “Let’s Build the Nation.” The Western Cape Government established the programme in 2006 with the goal of developing cohorts of trained professionals in engineering and the built environment. Since then, the programme has partnered with higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations and relevant professional bodies to grow skilled talent in these fields.
The bursary covers full-time studies at Higher Education Institutions in the Western Cape Province, specifically towards a degree or diploma in transport, engineering, built environment, or any other discipline that the Department of Infrastructure classifies as scarce and critical.
Qualifications Covered by the Bursary
Applicants can apply for a bursary to study towards a degree or diploma in any of the following disciplines:
- Architecture
- Construction Management
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
- City and Regional Planning
- Geomatics
- Property Studies
Where the Bursary Can Be Taken Up
Masakh’iSizwe bursars can only study at one of the following three institutions:
- University of Cape Town
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Stellenbosch University
Applicants who have already applied to, or intend to apply to, one of these three universities are best positioned to benefit from this bursary.
Who Can Apply
To qualify for the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be youth who have been accepted, or intend to study, at a Higher Education Institution in the Western Cape
Preference is given to certain applicant groups, though these preferences do not exclude others from applying. Priority groups include:
- Persons with disabilities
- Financially disadvantaged applicants
- Female learners
- Applicants from the Western Cape, particularly those residing outside the Cape Metro
The programme also states more broadly that it prioritises disadvantaged learners when awarding bursaries, with particular attention given to women, students with disabilities and learners from rural communities.
What the Bursary Covers
Successful applicants receive comprehensive financial support that removes the burden of funding their studies. The bursary covers:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and meals, or transport costs
- All prescribed books and materials
- Access to structured support programmes throughout the course of study
Work-Back Obligation
The Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme operates on a work-back basis. This means that for every year a bursar receives funding, they are required to work in the public service and/or with the programme’s partnered companies for one year afterwards. During their studies, bursars may also be required to give up certain weekends for programme-related commitments. Applicants should factor this work-back commitment into their decision before applying.
Ongoing Support for Bursars
Beyond funding, the programme also provides:
- Support services throughout the duration of study
- Secured learning opportunities for Masakh’iSizwe interns
- Secured employment opportunities for graduates who complete the programme
This combination of funding, mentorship and guaranteed post-study opportunities makes Masakh’iSizwe one of the more comprehensive bursary and career pathway programmes available to Western Cape youth.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provider | Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure |
| Programme | Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme 2027 |
| Study level | Full-time undergraduate degree or diploma |
| Fields covered | Engineering, built environment, and other scarce and critical disciplines |
| Eligible institutions | UCT, CPUT, Stellenbosch University |
| Citizenship | South African citizens only |
| Application window | 1 April to 31 August every year |
| Closing date | 31 August 2026 |
How to Apply
Applicants must complete an online application through the official Masakh’iSizwe application portal. Make sure to review the supporting documents requirements before you begin, since incomplete applications will affect your chances of being shortlisted.
Apply for the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme here
For queries, applicants can contact the Department of Infrastructure on 021 483 0964 or 081 040 6562, or email doibursary@westerncape.gov.za.
Applications close on 31 August 2026, so submit your online application as early as possible.
