More than a bursary: Haneefah Malik engineers a career with Sasol
Haneefah Malik’s journey into engineering started with an appetite for solving problems as a child and a belief that there is more than one answer to any question. Today, as a Process Engineer-in-Training at Sasol Synfuels in Secunda, she is applying her curiosity and analytical mind to complex projects at the heart of South Africa’s energy landscape.
Haneefah studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, a goal made possible through the Sasol bursary programme. She was awarded the bursary in 2019 while preparing for her matric trial exams. Describing it as a turning point in her life, it removed financial pressure and allowed her to focus completely on her studies.
For Haneefah, studies and a career in engineering were enticing because of the intellectual stimulation and the opportunity to make a difference. “From when I started my journey as a first-year student until today, there hasn’t been a single moment where I haven’t had the chance to use my brainpower,” she says.
“South Africa faces mounting pressures across energy supply, water scarcity, infrastructure development and waste management. We need scientists and engineers who can develop solutions to these challenges at scale. It is exciting to apply my technical skills and critical thinking to these complex, interconnected problems.”
Since joining Sasol as a graduate, Haneefah has benefitted from mentorship provided by seasoned experts as well as workplace integration support to help her thrive. For the young Engineer-in-Training, the sense of community Sasol creates for bursars and graduates is a highlight of the programme. During a demanding period in her third year, a bursary workshop hosted at a hotel near the university provided an unexpected source of encouragement. “It felt like my family came to visit me,” she says. “That support made a difference when I needed it most.”
While women remain underrepresented in many engineering disciplines, Haneefah says there are signs of change. Her graduating Chemical Engineering class was female dominated, a milestone that reflects growing participation and signals progress toward more balanced representation.
For young women considering a STEM career, Haneefah’s message is that self-belief and courage are key. “Never underestimate the impact that those little whispers you tell yourself will have. If you tell yourself that you can do it, you will do it,” she says. “Being afraid will limit you. Practice bravery always.”
Says Monica Luwes, Manager of the Graduate Centre at Sasol Corporate Bursary Services: “Sasol’s bursary is about more than access to education. It supports young people holistically with a structured transition into the workplace, real-world exposure through meaningful work and strong mentors. When those elements are in place, graduates can turn their academic potential into long-term impact.”
Sasol is currently seeking high achieving Grade 12 learners with a passion for STEM to apply for its all-inclusive undergraduate bursary. The closing date for applications is 17 May 2026, and applicants need to have obtained at least 70% for Maths, 70% for Science and 60% for English in their 2025 final Grade 11 results to be considered. Visit www.sasolbursaries.com to apply before the closing date and for more information on the opportunities on offer.
