On Saturday, 14 March 2026, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers celebrated a major milestone in human capital development as the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme officially marked 20 years of transforming the province’s built environment and engineering sectors.
Since its inception in 2006, the programme, whose name means “Let us build the nation,” has evolved from a financial aid initiative into a premier talent incubator. To date, it has supported more than 1,200 bursars with an investment exceeding R200 million, covering tuition, mentorship, and experiential learning.
Speaking at the bursary awards ceremony this Saturday, the Minister highlighted the programme’s role in driving long-term economic growth by producing a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.
“This programme does more than fund degrees; it builds the capability and confidence required to lead our province into the future,” the Minister said. “The success of our past bursars is a testament to what can be achieved through consistent, high-level investment in our youth and our infrastructure.”
Many graduates of the programme now serve as industry leaders, academics, and key technical experts within both the public and private sectors.
The event also served to welcome 58 new bursars into the programme for the 2026 academic year. With a dedicated budget of R15.9 million for the current financial year, the Western Cape Government remains committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented young people from entering specialised fields like engineering, architecture, and town planning.
By fostering partnerships between higher education institutions and industry stakeholders, the Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme continues to ensure that South Africa’s infrastructure development is led by innovative and highly skilled professionals.
