Department of Transtport

About the Department of Transport

The Department of Transport is the national government department that regulates and coordinates transport in South Africa. Its work covers public transport, rail, civil aviation, maritime transport and roads. The head office is in the Forum Building on Struben Street in Pretoria. The department describes transport as the heartbeat of economic growth and social development.

Its work is split into six branches: Aviation, Integrated Transport Planning, Maritime, Public Transport, Rail and Roads. In addition, the department oversees a group of public entities. These include Transnet, PRASA, the Airports Company South Africa, the Road Accident Fund, SANRAL and several regulators. Together, these bodies keep goods and people moving across the country. Vacancies, internships and bursaries are listed in the opportunities section of its website.

How the Department of Transport supports students

The department funds study through a bursary programme that is linked to the University of South Africa (UNISA). For the intake we could confirm, the bursary covered civil engineering at diploma and advanced diploma level. It also covered logistics and transportation economics at degree level, as well as Honours in logistics and transport economics. These fields match real skills shortages in the transport sector.

The award pays for tuition fees and prescribed textbooks. However, it does not pay for repeated modules or old debts. Funding is not automatic from year to year. Students must reapply each year, and they need to pass at least half of the funded modules to keep their place. As a result, steady academic progress matters as much as the first application.

What to know before applying

In the intake we could check, applicants had to be South African citizens under 35 years old. They also needed a Matric certificate and an average of at least 50% in earlier studies, and they had to be unemployed. Documents included a certified ID copy, Matric certificate, academic transcript and proof of parent or guardian income. That intake closed on 3 February 2024, which is early in the academic year.

Any work-back or service conditions were not confirmed, and the fields and dates can change. Therefore, check the department's opportunities section and the UNISA bursary notices each year. Students who want to work in aviation or maritime fields should also look at the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA). It is a separate body that has funded areas such as aeronautical and marine engineering. In short, the Department of Transport offers helpful funding for students who want careers in civil engineering, logistics and transport economics. Apply early, keep your marks up and read each notice carefully.