The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure awarded 63 bursaries to some of South Africa’s top achiever students for the 2024 matric class on Saturday at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
The beneficiaries of the bursaries, who excelled both in Maths and Science through the ministry’s School Programme, represent the department’s commitment to fostering talent from underprivileged communities.
The bursary policy prioritises learners from quintile one to three schools, focusing on supporting economically challenged communities.
The recipients are set to pursue careers in the built environment, becoming engineers, quantity surveyors, and electricians among others.
The minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, said recipients are required to work for the department for two years after completing their studies.
The ministry also has a mission to turn South Africa into a permanent construction site. Thus, beneficiaries of the bursary programme will drive the country’s infrastructure development and economic growth.
“These bursaries represent a significant investment in developing a skills pipeline to help turn SA into a construction site, driving economic growth and creating thousands of new jobs.
“Their work will not only drive economic growth and create jobs, but also serve as monuments to improvement and progress in our communities. This investment in education and infrastructure is about more than just building roads and structures, it’s about creating opportunities for people to improve their lives and for our nation to thrive,” said Macpherson.
He added that the bursaries are an investment to a generational skills pipeline, where there is sustainable development in the country’s infrastructure.
“To our bursary recipients, this is more than a scholarship, it is a challenge and an opportunity to make a lasting impact. The bridges you design, the spaces you plan, and the homes you oversee will touch lives in profound ways,” said Macpherson.
The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) CEO, Msizi Myeza, echoed the minister’s words.
“The built environment is more than just structures; it is the canvas of our shared humanity, enabling societies to thrive and inspiring generations. This path requires professionalism, Ubuntu, and a relentless hunger for knowledge,” he said.
The program has been expanded under the minister’s leadership to reach more schools, ensuring broader access to opportunities in the built environment.
“Beyond constructing buildings and roads, the bursary programme aims at creating opportunities, improve lives, and build a thriving nation where every citizen can reach their potential,” said Macpherson.
Additionally, the success of the bursary programme is through the department’s forged relations with schools, universities, professional bodies and SETAS.
The Star