KwaZulu-Natal (or “KZN”) was formed in 1994 when the Zulu bantustan of KwaZulu merged with the Natal Province. The province has the 2nd largest population in the country, its largest city is Durban and its capital is Pietermaritzburg.

The Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Government consists of the following departments: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Department of Arts and Culture; Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Department of Community Safety and Liaison; Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Department of Education; Department of Health; Department of Human Settlements; Department of Provincial Treasury; Department of Public Works; Department of Social Development; Department of Sport and Recreation; Department of Transport
 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Kwazulu-Natal Government departments will be awarding bursaries within the following fields of study:
Department of Public Works:

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering (BSc)
• Mechanical Engineering (BSc)
• Quantity Surveying
• Building Science (Bsc)
• Property Studies (BSc)
• Real Estate (National Diploma)
• Construction Management (Bachelors Degree)
• Construction Project Management (MSc)
• Construction Management (Honours)

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

• Agriculture Engineering (BSc)
• Animal Health (National Diploma)
• Vet Technology
• Veterinary Science (BVSc)
• Survey/ Soil Science (BSc)

Department of Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Treasury:

• Accounting (Bachelors Degree)
• Economics (Bachelors Degree)
• Forensic related qualifications (Bachelors Degree)

Department of Transport:

• Civil Engineering (BSc)
• Logistics Management (National Diploma)
• Freight Logistics (National Diploma)
• Transportation Management (National Diploma)
• Transportation Economics (National Diploma)

Department of Human Settlements:

• Housing (BSocSc)

Department of Arts and Culture:

• Film Studies (Minimal)
• Language (Sign Language & Interpretation)
• Jewellery Design
• Restoration & Conservation
• Archival Studies

MORE ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SELECTION

Bursaries will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and meals or stipends.

Bursary recipients will be required to serve the provincial department as part of the bursary service obligation (for the equal amount of time of funding received).

Only successful applicants will be contacted – if you do not receive any feedback within 4 months of the application deadline, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• South African citizen
• Completed Matric
• Between the ages of 18 and 35 years
• From Kwazulu-Natal province
• Studying OR intend on studying full-time within one of the aforementioned fields of study
• Studying OR provisionally accepted to study at a recognised public tertiary institution
• Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• *Preference will be given to students studying at institutions within Kwazulu-Natal province

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BURSARY

Download and complete the Kwazulu-Natal Government Bursaries Application Form (.pdf)
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric certificate (certified copy)
• Latest academic record, if currently studying at tertiary level (certified copy)
• Proof of registration/ acceptance letter (on tertiary letterhead)
• Detailed outline of required tuition fees (on tertiary letterhead)
• Detailed outline of curriculum (number of years of study, number of modules to be taken) (on tertiary letterhead)
• Motivational letter (explaining your personal circumstances and why you deserve to be awarded a bursary)
• Parents/ guardians ID documents (certified copies)
• Parents/ guardians proof of household income (latest payslips if employed/ proof of unemployment from Department of Labour if unemployed/ death certificate if deceased)
• Parents/ guardians income and expenditure statement

Applications must be submitted via post or hand delivered to:
Department of Public Works:
– Post:
The Bursary Unit
Department of Public Works
PO Box X9041
Pietermaritzburg
3200
– Hand delivery:
Department of Public Works
OR Tambo House
191 Prince Alfred Street
Pietermaritzburg
3200

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:
– Post:
The Director: Human Resource Development
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
PO Box X9059
Pietermaritzburg
3200
– Hand delivery:
R103 Cedara Off-Ramp
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Pietermaritzburg
3200

Department of Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Treasury:
– Post:
The Bursary Unit
Department of KZN Provincial Treasury
PO Box 3613
Pietermaritzburg
3200
– Hand delivery:
Treasury House
145 Chief Albert Luthuli House
Pietermaritzburg
3200

Department of Transport:
– Post:
Private Bag X9043
Pietermaritzburg
3200
– Hand delivery:
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House
172 Burger Street
Pietermaritzburg
3200

Department of Human Settlements:
– Post:
Private Bag X54367
Durban
4000
– Hand delivery:
Eagle Building
353-363 Anton Lembede Street
Durban
4000

Department of Arts and Culture:
– Post:
The Bursary Unit
Department of Arts and Culture
171 Boshoff Street
Pietermaritzburg
3200
 

CLOSING DATE

13 December 2025/2026.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the relevant Kwazulu-Natal Government department directly:
Department of Public Works:
Contact person: Ms P Matee
Tel: 033 260 4174/ 033 260 4157/ 033 260 5180/ 033 260 4131

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:
Contact person: Mr CM Biyela / Ms NT Khumalo
Tel: 033 355 9604 / 033 355 9388

Department of Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Treasury:
Contact person: Mrs T Suleman
Tel: 033 897 4372

Department of Transport:
Contact person: Nomasonto Gwamanda
Tel: 033 355 8828

Department of Human Settlements:
Contact people: Mrs CA Govender / Ms MP Phama / Ms MC Hlengwa / Ms T Hlophe
Tel: 031 336 5173 / 031 336 5195 / 031 336 5280 / 031 319 3700

Department of Arts and Culture:
Contact people: Mrs ZJ Chonco / Ms NM Buthelezi
Tel: 033 341 3664 / 033 341 3695