Jamie Lee Stemmet, Masakh'iSizwe Bursary graduate. 
The Department of Infrastructure awarded Masakh’iSizwe bursaries to 96 aspiring engineers, architects, geomatic professionals, town planners, quantity surveyors and transport economists at an awards ceremony in Stellenbosch on 20 May 2023.
Having signed bursary contracts in February this year, it was now time for these bursars to celebrate being selected to pursue their tertiary studies through this flagship programme.
“These bursaries are awarded annually for study disciplines related to a degree, diploma or postgraduate study in the fields of transport, engineering or the built environment. And the aim of the programme is to address the skills shortages while at the same time empowering our youth”, said Professor Deresh Ramjugarnath, Stellenbosch University Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching.
“This (programme) shows what we can do as a province and as a country if we come together. It’s not just saying to government ‘provide’ but I think it’s about private sector, it’s about civil society, and it’s about the higher education institutions coming together to ensure that we are taking this country forward, that we take this province forward”, he continued.
The Masakh’iSizwe programme provides financial and non-financial support to the bursar for the period of his/her studies in exchange for one year’s service in the Department for every year’s paid tuition. Bursary recipients are required to give back through the programme’s Outreach initiative. To maximise student success, Masakh’iSizwe provides support to its bursars, including mentoring, employability skills training, student health and wellness support, and in-service training through the Graduate Placement/Professional Development Programme.
“The bursary had a big impact on my life. I have my driver’s licence due to them which may seem like a basic thing to obtain for some people, but driving lessons are not cheap and consequently it is inaccessible to many people. They paid for 20 lessons and the driver’s test”, said former bursary recipient and current graduate Jamie Lee Stemmet.
“In this (Graduate Placement/Professional Development) programme all graduates were given a mentor who is professionally registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the aim of the programme is to get us engineers, technicians and technologists professionally registered with ECSA as well.”
Applications to study for engineering and built environment qualifications in 2024 with Masakh’iSizwe bursary assistance are now open to deserving young people. Current and prospective students, particularly financially disadvantaged learners, women, people with disabilities, and learners from rural communities are invited to apply.
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