Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship

Who can apply

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be a defined as a Black Designated Group according to BBBEE (African, Coloured, Indian or Asian)
• You must be under 35 years of age
• You must be unemployed
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must be be studying or intend on studying full-time towards one of the qualifications listed above
• You must be studying or intend on studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours or Master’s only – the bursary will NOT fund PhD studies)
• You must be pursuing your qualification-level for the first time (the bursary will NOT cover repeating a qualification at the same level)
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a registered public tertiary institution (including community colleges and Technical Vocational Education)
• You must have a strong academic record, with a minimum average pass rate of 60%
• You must have a total household income of LESS than R600 000 per year
• You must NOT have any outstanding student debt
• You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding (including NSFAS)

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Thebe Foundation Dr EJ - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The Thebe Foundation is inviting students to apply for the Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship programme, for the 2027 academic year.

Funding will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Masters) studies, within the following fields:

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Artisan Skills Programs (Electricians, Plumbing, Mechanics, Solar voltaic service technicians, Millwright etc)
• Corporate Finance
• Education/ BEd (specialising with Mathematics and Technology)
• Electrical Engineering
• Finance
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Media Information and Communication
• Mining Engineering
• Renewable Energy
• Water and Energy

MORE ABOUT THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Fund was launched in 2016 to honour the legacy of Dr Enos Mabuza and recognise his contribution to the establishment of Thebe Investment Corporation.

Dr Mabuza played an important role in the organisation’s history, working alongside prominent South African leaders including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Beyers Naude during the company’s founding. The scholarship fund continues this legacy by supporting educational opportunities for deserving students.

The programme aims to support financially needy students, pursuing studies at higher education institutions in various fields. The programme hopes to equip students with the skills and competencies to allow for them to become professionals in their fields.

WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The scholarship will provider cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation in residence or accredited accommodation, meals and a transport allowance for students living at home.

The bursary will NOT cover historical debt (ie, outstanding fees incurred before 2027).

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

All applicants will receive a confirmation email after their application has been received. Thereafter, applicants will be advised if their application is unsuccessful. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews. If you do not receive feedback within 3 months of the application closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

Applications must be submitted online at: Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Application 2027

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory - if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Grade 9 final report, Grade 11 final report and Matric term 2 report, if currently in Matric (stamped with official school stamp)
• TVET academic reports since leaving high school (N4, N6, etc) (optional)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Most recent official academic transcripts, if currently studying (certified copy)
• Proof of registration at university for 2026 academic year, if currently studying (official document from university)
• Proof of acceptance/ provisional acceptance at an accredited institution for the 2027 academic year
• Parents or guardians ID documents/ death certificates (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of household income (3 months payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ copy of SASSA docs if receiving a social grant)
• Motivational letter/ statement indicating why you have chosen your field of study and how you intend to use it after graduation (1 page)
• Dept of Labour Employment Equity Act (EEA1) Form AND a Doctors’ Letter (if disabled)
• Proof of any other bursary funding/ NSFAS, if applicable (bursary agreement/letter/offer)
• Completed parent/ guardian consent form if under 18 years old

Note: all documents must have been certified within the last 3 months. Where you have multiple documents for 1 submission, please combine/scan them into 1 file that you can upload.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE THEBE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

22 September 2026 (at 12:00 midday).

(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted - please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact Excel@Uni (the administrators for this scholarship) directly:

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 021 409 7982
• Or us the chat support function on the application page (look out for the blue “support” button at the bottom of the screen).

WHAT DOES THE THEBE FOUNDATION DO?

Thebe Foundation (TF) was established in 2011 as a registered Public Benefit Organisation dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities and improving the lives of communities across South Africa.

The organisation works alongside partners from both the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on education, skills development and enterprise development. Through these initiatives, Thebe Foundation aims to support individuals and communities while contributing to sustainable social and economic development.

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