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Every year, many South African students struggle to bridge the gap between ambition and affordability when it comes to tertiary education. The cost of university or vocational training can be overwhelming. Fortunately, the Siza Water Bursary offers a beacon of hope to eligible students. This article guides you through the 2025 application for the Siza Water Bursary, what it offers, who qualifies, how to apply, and why it matters.
What Is the Siza Water Bursary?
Siza Water is a water services provider on the Dolphin Coast in KwaZulu-Natal, operating under a concession that spans from Etete to Zimbali. The Siza Water Bursary programme is their initiative to support local youth by funding tertiary studies in fields that align with their operations and the wider needs of water, environmental, and technical sectors.
The bursary is not open to everyone. It’s tailored to students living within the Siza Water concession area and those who wish to study in certain disciplines. The support is aimed at helping reduce the burden of tuition and textbooks, so that qualified students can focus on their studies.
Fields and Study Areas Supported
The Siza Water Bursary supports a wide array of fields that are critical to sustainable development and infrastructure. These include:
- Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
- Environmental Management
- Financial Management
- Town and Regional Planning
- Skilled Trades (Electrician, Fitter, Millwright, Plumbing)
- Water & Sewer Treatment Process Controller
By targeting these areas, the bursary not only helps students but also nurtures the talent pool that local infrastructure projects and water services need.
What the Bursary Covers
If you are awarded the bursary, you can expect the following benefits:
- Full coverage of tuition fees for your accredited course
- Payment for prescribed textbooks required for your course
The bursary does not typically cover accommodation, transport, or a living stipend. Students must arrange those on their own.
Funding is renewable yearly, but only if the student maintains good academic performance and fulfills any reporting requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, it’s essential to check whether you qualify. Here are the main requirements:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must reside in the Siza Water concession area (Dolphin Coast, between Etete and Zimbali).
- You should be in Matric or have completed Matric, and you must be accepted or planning to study full-time at a recognized South African institution (university, university of technology, TVET, or equivalent).
- You must have achieved a minimum average mark of 65% overall in your recent academic year, and 65% in the subject(s) relevant to your intended field of study.
- Your household income should not exceed R15,000 per month (or equivalent threshold used in that application cycle).
- Preference may be given to students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, especially females and Black applicants.
Meeting all these will make you eligible, but selection is competitive, so excellence in academics and a clear passion for the sector help.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit a strong application:
- Download or collect the application form
You can download the form (PDF) from Siza Water’s website or get a hard copy from their offices in Ballito or Shakaskraal. - Submit your application
You can either post your application to:
PO Box 1635, Ballito, 4420
Or hand-deliver it to:
Reypark House, Rey’s Place, Avondale, Ballito, Durban 4420 - Applications must reach the office before the closing date. Late or incomplete submissions are usually disqualified.
- Await selection
After the deadline, applications are reviewed, and shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or verification. The bursary provider communicates the final selections later.
Key Dates
For the 2025/2026 cycle, some important dates to note are:
- Applications open: around August 2025
- Closing date: 28 November 2025
- Review period, interviews, and final decisions follow in the subsequent months after closing
Always check the official Siza Water website or their announcements to confirm deadlines, as these may change.
Why This Bursary Matters
For many students, the cost of tertiary education is a major barrier. The Siza Water Bursary directly addresses that by removing the financial burden of tuition and textbooks. This allows students to focus fully on their studies rather than worrying about fees.
Because the bursary targets fields tied to water, environment, infrastructure, and trades, it helps nurture a generation of professionals equipped to contribute directly to local development. By doing so, it strengthens the community and promotes sustainability.
Moreover, scholarship programmes like this enable students from under-resourced backgrounds to compete on equal footing. It sends a message that talent and effort should not be limited by means.