Pretoria, 30 July 2021 – With just over 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.

Particularly, while SANRAL’s academic policy allows for an expanded net of socio-economic inclusion for bursary and scholarship recipients, there is no better time to grab this opportunity.

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 education, but it allowed me to live meaningfully, and even contribute in some small way, to making life a bit easier at home,” said 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 pipeline 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 multi-faceted 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 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 focussed 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 as such, funding will be available to full-time students studying Law, Public Administration, Finance, Human Resources, among other fields. 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 historically developed to give financial support to learners from Grade 10 to Grade12, 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.