The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in partnership with the Izakhiwo Imfundo Bursary Trust will invest in the youth of South Africa through scholarships, bursaries and loans for tertiary study research, teaching and post qualification training.

Successful undergraduate applicants to the Trust from tertiary institutions in South Africa will receive financial aid from the Trust, while DWS will secure practical work for them with relevant local government structures after their graduation.

In addition, successful applicants who have completed their formal studies but require practical training to complete their qualifications will be sponsored by the Trust as they complete their practical work exposure to be facilitated by the department.

According to the DWS, this partnership resonates with government’s plans. “It speaks to the issues that are held close to the heart and ideals enshrined in the National Development Plan 2030. It further enables South Africa to have its own specialists that will improve intuitional capacity and deal with the shortage of skills in the engineering and water sector,” said the department.