HIGH school pupils are encouraged to apply for South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) bursaries and scholarships by Thursday, 30 September.
Although the agency’s focus is to develop civil engineering professionals for the national rail network, it has extended the opportunity to those who support the corporate structure.
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This means bursaries will include public relations, auditing, supply chain management, law, human resources and finance.
Bursary recipients are not automatically employed by Sanral upon completion of their studies, however, through an internship programme, Sanral offers graduates the opportunity to work and apply their knowledge while exposing them to other sectors.
The scholarship requirements have changed this year, with all high school pupils from Grade 8 to Grade 12 able to apply, irrespective of their subject choices.
Previously, pupils were required to obtain a 70% overall aggregate to be eligible for consideration, whereas they now require 60% with a view to improving their aggregate to 70%.
One of the beneficiaries, Laaiquah Frank, who is in her final year of studying civil engineering at Wits University, has urged other youngsters to take up bursary opportunities.
‘I am deeply grateful for this bursary,’ said Frank. ‘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. The possibilities are endless when your fire is burning inside. Don’t stress about the ‘how’ part. Just do it and chase your fire!’
Another recipient of the financial support, Fefe Mzimane, who completed a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2015, said the funding has been a much-needed boost for him to pursue his career goals.
Applications for bursaries and scholarships are available on the SANRAL website (www.nra.co.za).
