South African National Parks (SANParks) is calling for applications from aspiring youth entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the 2027 academic year to join its External Bursary Programme.

About SANParks

SANParks was established under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003). Its mandate is to oversee the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes, and heritage assets through a system of national parks, while ensuring that operations create educational and socioeconomic benefit for neighbouring communities. This bursary forms part of SANParks’ strategic commitment to growing community support and sharing the benefits of conservation with communities living adjacent to its parks.

Fields of Study

This is a comprehensive bursary covering Degree and National Diploma studies, including but not limited to:

• Environmental Sciences: Nature Conservation, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Green Energy, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development, Game Ranch Management
• Tourism: Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Resort Management, Tour Guiding, Events and Conference Management
• Social Sciences: Community Development, Economic Development, Socio-Economic Development and related studies
• Infrastructure and Built Environment: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Project Management
• Technical and Artisan Trades: Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, Millwrights, Mechanics, Technicians, Solar Technicians, Refrigerator Technicians, Water and Wastewater Technicians
• Emerging Scarce Skills: GIS, Analytics, Cyber Security, Renewable Energy, Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Economics, Entrepreneurship

Academic merit will be considered during selection, alongside SANParks’ commitment to increasing participation from women, people living with disabilities, and other designated groups.

Requirements

• Must be a South African citizen
• Must come from a community living adjacent to a National Park, as defined in that park’s management plan
• Must provide proof of application and admission to an accredited institution of Higher Education
• Must be entering post-matric study in 2027
• Open to students pursuing qualifications at TVET colleges
• Must be aged 18–35
• Household income must not exceed R350,000 per year
• Students currently registered at an institution must have a 100% pass rate for all completed study periods

Required Documents

• Motivation letter outlining your reasons for applying and your chosen field of study
• Comprehensive, updated CV
• Certified copy of your ID document
• Certified copy of your latest academic record
• Acceptance letter from an accredited public institution (University, TVET College, or University of Technology)
• Proof of residential address
• Affidavit confirming income below the threshold, if receiving a social grant

Applications missing any of the above documents will be considered null and void. Applications must be for full-time study towards an academic diploma or degree at an accredited public South African institution.

How to Apply

Email your application to happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org

For enquiries, contact happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org or 012 426 5173

Opening Date: 17 July 2026
Closing Date: 21 August 2026

If you have not been contacted by 30 January 2027, please consider your application unsuccessful.