SAPREF

About SAPREF

SAPREF stands for the South African Petroleum Refineries. It is a joint venture between Shell South Africa Refining and BP Southern Africa. The refinery stands in Prospecton, Durban, and was commissioned in 1964. For decades it was the largest crude oil refinery in Southern Africa and supplied roughly a third of the country's refining capacity.

The picture changed in 2022. Severe floods in April of that year damaged the plant, and it has not returned to normal refining since. Media reports also say that the shareholders later sold the site to the state-owned Central Energy Fund. SAPREF's own website today describes its liquid fuels terminal at Island View, Durban, which has its own safety, teamwork and integrity values. Because the situation keeps changing, applicants should confirm the current status of the bursary on the official site.

How SAPREF supports students

Before and after the floods, SAPREF invested in skills development. Reports from the company described a multimillion-rand programme that reached hundreds of young people. It included learnerships at an accredited training college, a graduate engineer programme, internships and a schools pipeline that exposed Grade 11 and 12 learners to science and engineering.

The bursary sits inside this wider effort. It has been aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates at mainstream public universities. The fields listed in recent years include chemical, electrical, instrumentation and mechanical engineering, as well as environmental science. Business-related degrees such as finance, logistics, supply chain and human resources management have also been included. Awards usually cover tuition, books and living costs, although the exact package varies by year.

What to know before applying

Applicants must be South African citizens with a matric certificate and a strong academic record. They normally send a certified ID copy, matric results, academic records, proof of registration and a CV. SAPREF opens applications once a year, so closing dates are short and strict.

The company's public material does not promise a job after graduation. Bursars may be considered for vacation work, internships or graduate placements, but that is not guaranteed. In addition, any work-back terms would appear in the signed bursary contract. Read that contract carefully before you commit. Finally, check the SAPREF website for the latest news, since the company's operations have changed greatly since 2022. Students should also plan a backup. Because the refinery's future is unclear, apply to several bursaries at once, including other energy and engineering funders listed on this site. Strong marks in Mathematics and Physical Sciences keep many doors open. Keep certified copies of your documents ready, and ask your university funding office for advice if you have questions.