Sasol Mining has opened its Women in Fenceline Communities Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year, offering fully funded university study to young women living in communities around the Secunda Complex in Mpumalanga. The bursary covers engineering, mining and geology degrees and pays for tuition, accommodation, books and a living allowance. Applications opened on 24 August 2026 and close at midnight on 13 September 2026, so eligible applicants need to move quickly.
About The Programme
Sasol is one of South Africa’s largest industrial companies, operating the giant Secunda synthetic fuels complex that supplies a significant share of the country’s liquid fuels. Sasol Mining runs the coal operations that feed the complex, employing thousands of people in the Govan Mbeki region.
The Women in Fenceline Communities Bursary Programme is part of Sasol’s commitment to the communities living closest to its operations. It is specifically designed to open technical careers to young women from these fenceline communities, addressing both the under-representation of women in mining and engineering and the need for local skills development. For learners near Secunda, this is one of the most direct routes into a professional engineering career with a major employer on their doorstep.
What Is Covered
- Full tuition fees for the 2027 academic year
- Accommodation
- Books and study materials
- A living allowance
- Support structures linked to Sasol’s bursary programme, with further benefits confirmed during the application process
Who Can Apply
- Young women who are South African citizens
- Applicants must live within approximately 50 km of Secunda and its surrounding communities
- Applicants must be studying or intending to study full-time towards a BEng or BSc Engineering degree in engineering, mining or geology disciplines
- Study must be for the 2027 academic year at a recognised South African institution
- Academic requirements per discipline are confirmed during the application process
RELATED: KPMG Bursary 2027: CA(SA) Studies, Closes 30 October
Required Documents
- South African ID document
- Latest academic results (Grade 12 results or tertiary transcript)
- Proof of residence showing you live in a qualifying fenceline community
- Any additional documents requested on the application portal, confirmed during the application process
How To Apply
- Go to the official Sasol bursaries portal.
- Create an account with your personal details.
- Select the “Women in Fenceline Communities Bursaries” programme.
- Complete the online application form and upload your supporting documents.
- Submit before midnight on 13 September 2026.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Sasol Mining Women in Fenceline Communities Bursary 2027 is 13 September 2026 at midnight. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
For young women in the communities around Secunda, the cost of university is often the single biggest barrier between a strong Matric and a professional career. This bursary removes that barrier completely, covering not just tuition but the accommodation and living costs that cause so many students to drop out. Mining and engineering remain male-dominated fields, and programmes like this are changing that by deliberately building a pipeline of female engineers, mining professionals and geologists. A Sasol bursary also connects you to one of the country’s biggest technical employers from your first year of study, which matters enormously in a country where graduate unemployment is driven largely by lack of workplace connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can men apply for this bursary?
No. This specific programme is reserved for young women from fenceline communities. Sasol runs other bursary programmes that are open to all applicants on the same portal.
Can I apply if I live outside Mpumalanga?
Only if you live within roughly 50 km of Secunda and its surrounding communities. Proof of residence forms part of the assessment.
Which degrees qualify?
BEng and BSc Engineering qualifications in engineering, mining or geology disciplines. Check the portal for the exact list of accepted programmes.
Will I have to work for Sasol afterwards?
Many corporate bursaries include a work-back agreement. The exact conditions for this programme are confirmed during the application process.
Tips To Strengthen Your Application
Because this bursary is limited to a specific geographic area, your proof of residence carries as much weight as your marks. Make sure the document clearly shows an address within the qualifying area around Secunda and matches the details you enter on the portal. Apply with your best available results: if you are in Matric, upload your most recent report showing strong Mathematics and Physical Sciences marks, and if you are already at university, include your full transcript.
Complete the online profile carefully, since spelling errors in your ID number or contact details can disqualify an otherwise strong application. Choose your degree selection thoughtfully and be ready to explain in any motivation section why you want a career in mining, engineering or geology specifically. Submit well before the midnight deadline on 13 September, because the portal will be busiest in the final days. If you know other young women in your community who qualify, share the link, as Sasol assesses each application on its own merits.
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