South African National Parks (SANParks) is a public entity responsible for managing and regulating the country’s national parks.
SANParks’ vision extends beyond conservation; SANParks actively seeks to foster community involvement and ensure that its operations benefit surrounding areas.
The SANParks Bursary program embodies this commitment by providing financial support to deserving students from communities neighboring national parks.
About the SANParks Bursary
The SANParks Bursary is an external bursary program designed to assist financially disadvantaged yet academically deserving students pursuing careers relevant to SANParks’ mission.
The bursary covers the full cost of tuition for undergraduate National Diplomas or Degrees in specific fields.
These fields fall under three main categories:
- Environmental Sciences: This includes Nature Conservation, Environmental Management, Green Energy, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development, and Game Ranch Management.
- Social Sciences: This encompasses Community Development, Economic Development, Socio-Economic Development, and related development studies.
- Tourism: This includes Hospitality Management, Resort Management, Tour Guiding, and Events and Conference Management.
By supporting students in these fields, SANParks aims to cultivate future generations of skilled professionals who will contribute to conservation, community development, and sustainable tourism within South Africa’s national parks.
SANParks Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the SANParks Bursary, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- You must reside in a community located near one of South Africa’s national parks (refer to the list provided in the introduction).
- You must be currently in Matric (2024) or have already completed Matric.
- You must be studying or intend to study towards an undergraduate full-time Diploma or Degree in one of the fields mentioned above.
- You must be studying or have been accepted to study at a public South African university, university of technology, or TVET college.
- If currently studying, you must have passed all your registered courses.
SANParks Bursary Application Requirements
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the SANParks Bursary via email. Here’s how:
- Email Address: Submit your application to [email protected].
- Subject Line: Clearly state “SANParks Bursary 2025” in the email subject line.
- Supporting Documents: Include clear, certified copies of the following documents with your email:
- ID document
- Matric certificate or latest Matric report
- Most recent academic record (if currently studying)
- Acceptance letter from your tertiary institution (on official letterhead)
- Proof of address
- Motivational letter explaining your need for the bursary and your chosen field of study
- Updated Curriculum Vitae
- Affidavit demonstrating income below the social grant threshold (if applicable)
There is no separate application form for this bursary. Simply compile and submit the required documents via email.
How to Apply
Applications for the SANParks Bursary for the 2025 academic year are closed.
The closing date for the 2024 intake was 17 August 2024.
Be sure to mark your calendars and submit your application well before the deadline for the following year.
Contact SANParks Bursary
For any inquiries related to the SANParks Bursary program, please contact SANParks directly:
- Contact Person: Happy Nhlangwini
- Telephone Number: 012 426 5173
- Email Address: [email protected]