Hey future changemakers! Are you dreaming of kicking off your career with a solid education but worried about the costs? Well, get ready because Bursaries Room has some epic news for you! We’re diving deep into the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Bursary for 2026 – an incredible opportunity designed to help South African students like you achieve their academic dreams without the financial stress. If you’re looking for support for your first undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, especially in key growth fields, then keep scrolling!
The Dr EJ Mabuza Bursary, proudly brought to you by Thebe Foundation, is all about empowering bright, financially needy South African students. This isn’t just a handout; it’s an investment in your future, helping you gain the skills and knowledge needed to rock your chosen profession and make a real difference in your community. They’re looking for passionate individuals who are ready to excel!
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this amazing opportunity, make sure you tick all these boxes:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You need to be part of a Black Designated Group according to BBBEE (this includes African, Coloured, Indian, or Asian individuals).
- You must be under 35 years of age.
- You should currently be unemployed.
- You are either currently in Matric (2025) or have already completed Matric.
- You’re studying or planning to study full-time towards one of the specific qualifications listed below.
- You’ll be studying at an undergraduate or postgraduate level (this means Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Master’s – unfortunately, PhDs are not funded).
- This must be the first time you are pursuing this specific qualification level.
- You must be studying or planning to study at a registered public tertiary institution (like a university, community college, or TVET college).
- You need to have a minimum academic average of 60%.
- Your total household income must be less than R600 000 per year.
- You should have no outstanding student debt.
- You must not be receiving any other bursary funding, including NSFAS.
What Does It Cover?
This bursary is super comprehensive, covering many of your essential study costs! Here’s what you can expect:
- Tuition fees: Say goodbye to worrying about those big university bills!
- Textbooks: Get all the study materials you need to ace your courses.
- Accommodation: Whether it’s residence or accredited off-campus housing, they’ve got you covered.
- Meals: Keep your energy up with your food costs taken care of.
- Transport allowance: If you’re living at home, you’ll get support for your daily commute.
⚠️ Heads up: This bursary will NOT cover any historical debt – meaning fees incurred before 2026. So, plan accordingly!
Fields of Study Covered
Thebe Foundation is investing in critical sectors! Funding is available for undergraduate and postgraduate studies (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Masters) in these exciting fields:
- Accounting
- Agriculture
- Artisan Skills Programmes (think Electricians, Plumbing, Mechanics, Solar Voltaic Service Technicians, Millwright, and more!)
- Corporate Finance
- Education (specifically BEd specialising in Mathematics and Technology – for those future awesome teachers!)
- Electrical Engineering
- Finance
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Media Information and Communication
- Mining Engineering
- Renewable Energy
- Water and Energy
Required Documents
Ready to apply? Make sure you have clear, certified copies of these documents:
- Your South African ID document.
- Your academic reports (Grade 9, Grade 11, and Matric Term 2 if you’re still in school; your Matric certificate if you’ve completed it).
- Your most recent academic transcript (if you’re currently studying).
- Proof of registration for 2025 (if you are currently studying).
- Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance for your 2026 studies.
- Parents/guardians’ ID documents or death certificates.
- Parents/guardians’ proof of income (recent payslips, an affidavit if unemployed, or SASSA proof).
- A powerful motivational letter (keep it to 1 page!).
- If you have a disability, an EEA1 Form and a Doctor’s letter.
- Proof of any other bursary or NSFAS funding, if applicable (even though you shouldn’t be receiving it, sometimes they ask for disclosure).
- A consent form if you are under 18.
⚠️ Important note: All your documents must be certified within the last 3 months. To make things easier for submission, combine multiple pages of one document (e.g., all pages of your ID) into a single file!
How to Apply?
Applying is super straightforward! Just head over to the official online portal:
Click here to apply for the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Bursary 2026
What Happens Next?
- Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll get a confirmation email – yay!
- If you’re one of the lucky shortlisted candidates, you’ll be invited for an interview.
- Heads up: If you don’t hear back within 3 months after the closing date, it’s safe to assume your application wasn’t successful this time. Don’t let that discourage you, though!
So, if the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Bursary 2026 sounds like your golden ticket to academic success, don’t just sit there – take action! Gather your documents, hit that apply button, and get ready to start your journey. And hey, while you’re here, why not explore more amazing bursary opportunities on Bursaries Room? Your future self will thank you!
