2027 Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship

• Must be a South African citizen
• Must be under 35 years of age at the time of applying
• Must be unemployed and pursuing a full-time qualification (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Masters). PhD applicants are excluded. For Masters applicants, the research topic will form part of the selection criteria.
• Must be pursuing the qualification level for the first time (not repeating a degree year, honours, etc)
• Must have a good academic record with an average pass rate of 60% or above for the last full year of academic enrolment
• Must have a household income below R600 000 per year
• Must be defined as a Black Designated Group according to BBBEE (Africans, Coloureds, Indians, and Asians)
• Must be pursuing a qualification at a public tertiary institution registered with DHET and SAQA, including community colleges and TVET colleges

Approved fields of study

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Finance
• Mining Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Agriculture
• Education (BEd specialising in Mathematics and Technology)
• Renewable Energy
• Water and Energy
• ICT
• Media, Information and Communication
• TVET Artisans in the following skills programmes: Electricians, Plumbing, Mechanics, Solar Voltaic Service Technicians, and Millwright

Required documents

All certified documents must be less than 3 months old. Screenshots are not acceptable. Documents from an institution must display an official logo and institutional stamp. All documents must be fully readable, and password protected documents will not be accepted. Where multiple documents are required for one submission, please combine them into a single file.

All applicants must submit:

• A one page motivation statement clearly setting out why you have chosen your field of study and how you intend to use it after graduation
• Certified copy of a valid South African identity document
• Recent certified copy of parent or guardian’s valid South African ID (or death certificate if deceased)
• Proof of household income (certified copy of SASSA documents or 3 months payslips of parents or guardians, or affidavits confirming unemployment if parents are unemployed)

Matric students must also submit:

• Grade 11 and Grade 12 Term 2 report with official school stamp
• Optional: Grade 9 final year report
• Optional: TVET academic reports since leaving high school (combined into one document)

Gap year students must also submit:

• Certified copy of a valid matric certificate
• Optional: certified copy of the latest official academic transcript

Undergraduate, Honours, and Masters students must also submit:

• Certified copy of a valid matric certificate
• 2026 official proof of registration at university
• Certified copy of the latest official academic transcript

Additional documents where applicable:

• If you have a disability: Department of Labour Employment Equity Act (EEA1) Form and a doctor’s letter
• If you received another bursary or NSFAS funding: your bursary agreement, letter, or offer
• A copy of your 2027 acceptance letter from an accredited institution (even provisional acceptance)
• If you are under 18: a signed guardian consent form and certified copy of the guardian’s proof of identity