The City of Cape Town is investing in future professionals through bursaries supporting scarce skills development, strengthening human capital and creating pathways for inclusive economic participation.
In March 2025, the City’s Corporate Services Directorate awarded bursaries to 30 students from communities across Cape Town, supporting studies in fields identified on the City’s Scarce Skills list.
The bursary programme forms part of the City’s broader strategy to develop a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of supporting public sector innovation, infrastructure development and sustainable urban growth.
Recipients will pursue qualifications in priority disciplines including Engineering, Geo Informatics, Project Management, Architecture, Data Science, Occupational Therapy, Marine Science, Supply Chain Management, Psychology, GIS and Law.
Supporting youth development and economic participation
The bursary awards were granted following a competitive selection process evaluating academic performance, interview results and alignment with the City’s long-term workforce planning priorities.
According to Theresa Uys, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, the initiative is designed to create long-term opportunities for young people while addressing skills gaps within the municipality.
“Our vision is to create life changing opportunities for young residents who will be the dynamic leaders we will need in our city one day. They will be the much-needed qualified professionals of the future in Cape Town,” said Uys.
By aligning financial support with strategic workforce needs, the programme aims to strengthen service delivery capacity in departments including Energy, Spatial Planning and Environment, Water and Sanitation, Human Settlements, Finance and Corporate Services.
Investing in communities across Cape Town
Bursary recipients were selected from a diverse range of communities including Kraaifontein, Strandfontein, Athlone, Atlantis, Lotus River, Kuils River, Khayelitsha, Grassy Park, Belhar, Somerset West, Lansdowne, Bo-Kaap, Pinelands, Goodwood, Maitland, Parklands, Langa, Milnerton and Ottery.
For many recipients, the bursary represents more than financial support — it provides an opportunity to pursue careers that can positively impact their communities.
Ayabonga Mbinyashe, a 19-year-old from Kraaifontein, is studying Statistics and Data Science at the University of Cape Town. He described receiving the bursary as a turning point that allows him to focus on his studies and future contribution to society.
Mbinyashe hopes to use his skills to support community development initiatives and potentially contribute to the City’s work in future.
Mihle Manana, a 19-year-old from Strandfontein, highlighted the importance of having institutional support that recognises her potential as she works toward completing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
Another recipient, Kaitlin van der Bijl from Somerset West, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to continue her studies in a field that allows her to develop systems that can improve lives and strengthen public service delivery.
Building skills for sustainable cities
From a social impact and ESG perspective, investment in education and scarce skills development plays an important role in supporting long-term economic resilience and public sector innovation.
Cities increasingly require specialised skills in areas such as data science, environmental planning, engineering and infrastructure management to respond to urbanisation challenges and climate pressures.
Bursary programmes that support access to higher education contribute to reducing inequality, strengthening social mobility and building professional capacity within key economic sectors.
By investing in young talent, the City of Cape Town is supporting a future workforce equipped to deliver sustainable services and innovative solutions that benefit communities across the metro.
Creating pathways to opportunity
Skills development initiatives aligned to public sector priorities help ensure that graduates are equipped with qualifications relevant to real-world challenges facing cities.
Through targeted bursary support, the City aims to develop future professionals who can contribute to improved service delivery, infrastructure resilience and inclusive growth.
The programme reflects a broader commitment to investing in human capital as a foundation for long-term social and economic development.
