South African Weather Service

About the South African Weather Service

The South African Weather Service, or SAWS, is the country's official source of weather forecasts, climate information and severe weather warnings. Parliament created it through the South African Weather Service Act 8 of 2001, and it was formally constituted on 15 July 2001. Its head office is at 1263 Heuwel Road in Centurion, Pretoria.

SAWS is also South Africa's Aviation Meteorological Authority. The law gives it the job of providing weather services to aviation and shipping, and of meeting the country's international meteorological duties. Farmers, disaster managers and the public rely on its forecasts as well. The service also issues marine forecasts for the coast and runs the national network of weather stations, radar and upper-air observations that feed those forecasts.

How SAWS supports students

Meteorology is a narrow and highly specialised field, and few South Africans graduate in it each year. The Weather Service needs a steady supply of forecasters and technicians to meet its legal duties. For that reason, it funds a small number of bursaries and runs a Forecasting Internship Programme. This is a public-service mandate rather than a corporate marketing exercise.

The bursary supports students working towards an honours degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science. According to published adverts, it pays tuition in full and adds a stipend for living costs. The Forecasting Internship runs for one full year at the Pretoria head office. Interns are paid, and they receive hands-on forecasting training.

Recent internship adverts asked for an honours degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science, second-year university mathematics and first-year physical science. Qualifications close to the World Meteorological Organization's basic instruction package for meteorologists were also expected. Applicants sent certified copies of their ID, matric results and academic record, plus a motivation letter, a CV and the SAWS bursary application form.

What to know before applying

Adverts usually appear late in the year for the following intake. For example, one recent round closed in November 2025 for a February 2026 start. Check the official SAWS website for the latest opening and closing dates, because these change from year to year.

Public information does not describe a fixed, multi-year work-back contract for the bursary. In practice, however, the internship acts as a direct route into SAWS employment. Ask SAWS to confirm the current terms before you accept any offer.

Prepare your documents well in advance. Strong marks in mathematics and physical science are essential for this field, so keep those results close to hand. Late or incomplete applications are normally not considered, so read each advert carefully.