Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 31 August 2026
- Provider
- Masakh'iSizwe
- Field of study
- Architecture, Construction and Building, Quantity Surveying, Town and Regional Planning
- Academic year
- 2027
- Applications open
- 1 April 2026
- Last checked
- September 2026
The 2027 round opened on 1 April 2026 and closed at midnight on 31 August 2026.
VerifiedClosed · applications closed on 31 August 2026 Expect the 2028 round to open on 1 April 2027 and close on 31 August 2027. Latest update ↓
Masakh’iSizwe, meaning “let us build the nation”, is the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure’s bursary programme for engineering and built environment students. Since 2006 it has paid for hundreds of students to study at the province’s universities and then trained them in the department towards professional registration as engineers, architects, planners, surveyors and quantity surveyors.
About the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary
- Fields: architecture, city and regional planning, construction studies, civil engineering, electrical engineering (heavy current), geomatics, mechanical engineering, property studies and quantity surveying, at degree or diploma level.
- Universities: University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and Cape Peninsula University of Technology only.
- Covers tuition, prescribed textbooks and study materials, support programmes, and accommodation and meals or transport costs.
- Graduates must accept employment with the Department of Infrastructure and complete its Professional Development Training Programme towards professional registration.
Masakh’iSizwe Bursary eligibility requirements
- South African citizen.
- In Matric or completed Matric, with the Mathematics and Physical Science results required for the chosen programme.
- Applying for, or studying, full-time in one of the listed fields at UCT, Stellenbosch or CPUT.
- Preference for financially disadvantaged students, women, students with disabilities and applicants from the Western Cape outside the Cape Town metro.
How to apply for the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary
- Register an account on the Masakh’iSizwe application portal at wa-dtpw-misbursary-prod-zan.azurewebsites.net between 1 April and 31 August.
- Complete the online form and upload certified copies of your ID, Matric results or certificate, academic records, proof of university application or registration, the course prospectus and cost estimate, proof of residence, your parents’ or guardians’ IDs and proof of income, a motivation letter, and proof of any existing debt, other financial aid or disability where applicable.
- Submit before midnight on 31 August. Shortlisted applicants are assessed and interviewed before selections are announced in February.
Masakh’iSizwe Bursary closing date
31 August 2026 for 2027 (closed). Expect 1 April to 31 August 2027 for the 2028 round.
Contact details
- Masakh’iSizwe office: 021 483 0964 or 021 483 9545
- Email: DoIBursary@westerncape.gov.za
- FAQ: westerncape.gov.za
Built environment students should also see our built environment bursaries and civil engineering bursaries lists, and the government bursaries page.
FAQs
1. When does the Masakh'iSizwe bursary close? +
The 2027 round opened on 1 April 2026 and closed at midnight on 31 August 2026, with selections announced by 12 February 2027. Expect the 2028 round to open on 1 April 2027 and close on 31 August 2027.
2. What is Masakh'iSizwe? +
The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure's bursary programme, running since 2006, that funds engineering and built environment students at Western Cape universities and then employs them in the department while they train towards professional registration.
3. Which fields and universities? +
Architecture, city and regional planning, construction studies, civil engineering, heavy-current electrical engineering, geomatics, mechanical engineering, property studies and quantity surveying at UCT, Stellenbosch University or Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
4. What does it cover? +
Tuition, prescribed textbooks and study materials, support programmes, accommodation and meals or transport, plus vacation work and mentoring.
5. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens in Matric or with Matric who will study full-time at one of the three universities, with the results the programme requires. Preference goes to financially disadvantaged students, women, students with disabilities and applicants from the Western Cape outside the Cape Town metro.
6. Is there a work-back obligation? +
Yes. Graduates must accept employment with the Department of Infrastructure and complete its Professional Development Training Programme towards professional registration.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2027 round opened on 1 April 2026 and closed at midnight on 31 August 2026. Selected applicants will be notified by 12 February 2027. Expect the 2028 round to open on 1 April 2027 and close on 31 August 2027. The details below are from the 2027 call.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
Visit the provider’s website