British American Tobacco

About British American Tobacco South Africa

British American Tobacco South Africa, usually shortened to BATSA, is the local arm of the British American Tobacco Group. The group describes itself as a multi-category consumer goods business and trades in many countries. Its South African head office sits at Waterway House South on Dock Road in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

The company has a long history in the country. Its Heidelberg factory in Gauteng traces back to Anton Rupert's Rembrandt group and once turned out billions of cigarettes a year for Southern Africa. Brands such as Dunhill, Peter Stuyvesant and Pall Mall came from that plant. In January 2026, however, BATSA announced that it would end local manufacturing at Heidelberg by the end of 2026. It blamed the growth of illicit cigarette trade. As a result, the shape of the company's local workforce is changing.

How BATSA supports students

BATSA has a record of offering bursaries and graduate opportunities to South African students. Earlier bursary listings on third-party sites named several fields, including accounting, business sciences and commerce, human resources, marketing, information technology, industrial engineering, chemistry and agriculture. The company's graduate programme has also run streams in marketing and sales, finance, human resources and operations.

The idea behind this kind of funding is simple. A company that depends on skilled people in finance, supply chains, technology and sales needs a steady flow of graduates. A British American Tobacco bursary lets the company spot talent early. For the student, it can cover study costs and may open a door to work experience and a first job.

What to know before applying

Be careful with older information. Many bursary pages online still show closing dates and contact names from several years ago. People change roles, and programmes change too. The factory closure adds another reason to confirm that a bursary or graduate intake is open for the year you plan to apply.

The best first step is the company's official careers portal at careers.bat.com, which is where BAT advertises current vacancies. You can also use the South African website or the Cape Town switchboard on 021 003 6500. Ask whether a bursary round is running, which qualifications qualify, and what the company expects from bursary holders after graduation. Some company bursaries come with a work-back period, but BATSA's current terms are not confirmed here, so read any contract closely before you sign. Prepare your documents early. Most bursary applications ask for a certified ID copy, your latest results, proof of registration or an acceptance letter, and a short motivation. Apply well before the closing date, because strong candidates often send in their forms early. If you do not get this bursary, remember that other funders in the commerce, engineering and technology fields can help you finish your degree.