SANRAL

About SANRAL

SANRAL, the South African National Roads Agency, is a state-owned company that manages the national road network. Parliament created it through an Act in 1998. The head office is at 48 Tambotie Avenue in Val de Grace, Pretoria. The agency looks after more than 21,000 kilometres of national roads. Most of that network is toll-free, and a smaller share is toll roads paid for through bonds.

Planning, building, upgrading and maintaining highways takes thousands of skilled people. Consequently, SANRAL invests in education. It supports learners from high school through to university, so that the country has enough engineers and other professionals for its roads.

How SANRAL supports students

The SANRAL Bursary targets students at public universities and universities of technology. Recent calls have focused on civil engineering, with some years adding fields such as electronic engineering, finance, human resources and supply chain management. The list changes, so check the current advert. Full bursaries have covered registration, tuition, study material, accommodation and meals. Partial bursaries have covered registration, tuition, accommodation and access to a wellness programme. A means test of family income decides which one a student receives.

The SANRAL High School Scholarship supports younger learners. It once focused on learners strong in mathematics, physical science and English. More recently, it has opened to learners in Grades 8 to 12. Published criteria have included a 60% overall average and a household income below R550,000 a year. The scholarship has covered school fees, boarding, uniforms, books, stationery, transport and extra lessons in mathematics and science.

What to know before applying

For the bursary, applicants have needed to be South African citizens aged 35 or younger. Matric learners have needed an overall average of at least 70%, and students already at university have needed 60%. Applicants must not hold another bursary. The agency also asks for proof of financial need. The process is online. Expect to upload a certified ID copy, academic records, proof of registration or acceptance, a motivation letter and family income documents. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to an interview. In recent years, the bursary closing date has fallen at the end of September, but dates vary, so verify them with SANRAL.

Work-back terms are not confirmed here, so ask SANRAL whether any service obligation applies and what it requires. Competition is strong because many learners apply for each place, and the agency can only fund a limited number. For that reason, apply early, keep your marks high and tell your story clearly. Finally, use only the official SANRAL website for applications. A real funder will never ask you for money to process your form.