This week sees the launch by Transnet of its bursary drive inviting eligible students to apply for 171 bursaries, as well as a training programme for chartered accountants.
The state-owned enterprise (SOE) will set aside R7.6 billion over the next 10 years for skills development and bursaries as part of its rolling R380-billion infrastructure investment programme.
About R1. 2bn of this amount will be spent on bursaries.
The bursaries are for full-time study towards a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at any South African University and cover full costs, including tuition fees, accommodation and meals, a book allowance, a computer (from 2nd year if required), and on-the-job training.
Last year, the company awarded comprehensive bursaries to 155 students and currently has 534 bursars in the pipeline. Transnet has funded 3 288 students since the launch of its bursary scheme in 1994. Beneficiaries of Transnet’s training programmes who have risen through the ranks include Krishna Reddy, chief capital officer responsible for Transnet’s capital expenditure programme, and Herbert Msagala, group executive; Mohammed Abdool, chief financial officer at Transnet National Ports Authority, and Tanuja Naidoo, chief financial officer at Transnet Pipelines.
Applications open in May and close in July of each year.
