Sanral investing in future civil engineers

A group of 20 high school learners and university students from Gauteng and Limpopo, were among the recipients of Sanral's scholarship and bursary programme in the last financial year.

The learners, who are in grades 10 to 12 or enrolled at university, were inducted into Sanral's scholarship and bursary programme in Midrand on Saturday, hosted at Sanral's Central Operation Centre. The induction was attended by the bursary and scholarship holders, parents and Sanral employees.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) supports the development of future engineers by awarding scholarships and bursaries to academically deserving students. In the last financial year, a total of 133 students in university throughout South Africa were awarded bursaries by Sanral. This includes 22 bursary holders from University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), 10 at the University of Johannesburg, 18 at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and 10 at the University of Pretoria.

One of the key speakers, Nontobeko Mathenjwa, who is an engineer and project manager at Sanral, reiterated the importance of the emancipation of women in South Africa, particularly the encouragement of young women to pursue careers in engineering.

"Be prepared to work harder as a woman in order to be respected or taken seriously as it is a male-dominated industry," said Mathenjwa.

"Educating one girl can change her life - but others benefit as well," she said.

The scholarship pays for the learners' annual school fees, school uniform, books and stationery, and sports. For university students, the bursary covers tuition fees, books, accommodation and includes a monthly allowance.

Kamogelo Pakgadi from Limpopo, who goes to SJ Van Der Merwe Technical High School, said the Sanral scholarship is very helpful. "I am very grateful. I am raised by a single dad who is paying for my sibling's tertiary tuition fees. I am very glad that through the scholarship, the financial burden is taken off my dad."

Pakgadi wants to study civil engineering at UCT or Wits, where she has already been accepted.

Another aspiring civil engineer, Otsile Huma from Pretoria, a grade 10 pupil at Crawford College, has chosen to pursue engineering as he wants to see South Africa competing on a global scale in terms of improved and quality infrastructure, particularly roads. "Through consistency, hard work and asking for help where I do not understand, I will ensure that I maintain good grades to get awarded a bursary from Sanral."

Nimal Gajadhur has been a Sanral scholarship recipient since he was in grade 11. He is now a first-year civil engineering student at Wits and also among the bursary beneficiaries.

Applications for 2018 will be closed on 30 September 2017. High school learners need to obtain a minimum of 70% in mathematics and physical science, 65% in English, as well as an overall average of 75%. Students at university who are studying civil engineering and perform exceptionally well academically are encouraged to apply for the bursary.

Learners from rural areas are also encouraged to apply.

For more information visit www.nra.co.za or e-mail [email protected]