South African Weather Service (SAWS)

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is the country’s authoritative body for weather forecasting, climate monitoring and severe weather warnings. SAWS was established under the South African Weather Service Act 8 of 2001 and formally constituted on 15 July 2001, taking over from the former South African Weather Bureau. SAWS is based in Centurion, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.

Registered name

South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Type

National public entity (weather and climate)

Fields funded

Meteorology and atmospheric science

Website

weathersa.co.za

Email

Jannie.Stander@weathersa.co.za

Warnings that save lives

South Africa experiences floods, droughts, heatwaves, hailstorms and occasional tornadoes, and the deadly KwaZulu-Natal floods of April 2022 showed how much depends on early warnings. SAWS runs the national network of weather stations and radars, issues impact-based severe weather warnings, and works with disaster management agencies so communities can prepare. SAWS also monitors climate trends and air quality over the long term.

Weather for aircraft and ships

SAWS is South Africa’s Aviation Meteorological Authority, legally responsible for weather services to aviation. Every flight depends on forecasts of wind, visibility, thunderstorms and turbulence at airports and along routes, and SAWS also serves shipping and meets South Africa’s international meteorological obligations. Agriculture is another major user of SAWS’s forecasts and seasonal outlooks.

Building meteorologists

Forecasting weather requires strong mathematics, physics and computer skills, and few South African universities train meteorologists. SAWS funds bursaries for students studying towards a BSc Honours in meteorology or atmospheric science, and runs a Forecasting Internship Programme that places graduates at its head office for a year of full-time, paid, practical forecasting training. SAWS also offers internships and learnerships, and as a state entity it funds these places to meet a public-service need.

Timing

The 2026 advert appeared in October 2025 and closed on 7 November 2025, so expect the 2027 call around October 2026. SAWS’s website refused the connection when BursariesAfrica checked on 15 September 2026, so confirm details directly.

How to research SAWS

Visit SAWS’s website in a browser and follow its official social media for bursary adverts. Learn how weather warnings work, including the colour-coded impact levels SAWS uses, and follow a severe weather event to see how forecasts develop. Ask physics or geography departments at your university whether they offer meteorology modules, and consider taking them early.

See also the SARAO scholarships for science students.