Sibanye-Stillwater is offering eight full-time study opportunities for 2027 through its External Bursar 18.2 vacancy at the Marikana platinum operations. The opportunity is aimed at applicants from Marikana local communities and labour-sending areas who meet the academic and university admission requirements.
Important: The detailed advert supplied for reference WPL AD0017892 gives an end date of 22 October 2026. An indexed summary of the same requisition on the official recruitment portal displays 21 October 2026. Because the dates differ, aim to submit by 20 October and confirm the live deadline on the portal.
At a glance
Sponsor: Sibanye-Stillwater
Vacancy: External Bursar 18.2
Requisition number: WPL 0074136
Reference: WPL AD0017892
Operation: Platinum Marikana
Opportunities: Eight
Study year: 2027
Study arrangement: Full-time study
Employment-type label on portal: Temporary
Advertised: 1 October 2026
Detailed advert end date: 22 October 2026, South African Standard Time
Deadline caution: Indexed portal summary displays 21 October 2026; submit by 20 October where possible
High-value notes: read this first
- You must reside in a Marikana local community or labour-sending area and upload proof of residence.
- The advert specifies an APS of at least 30 and Level 5 (60% or higher) in each of English, Mathematics and Physical Science.
- It also says applicants currently enrolled at university need an average of at least 60%.
- The advert mentions a Matric certificate with university acceptance and provisional consideration of mid-year results, but also lists current university enrolment. It does not clearly explain how these two applicant groups are assessed. Check the portal questions or ask the listed HR contact if your eligibility is uncertain.
- Final allocation depends on obtaining a university acceptance letter.
- The advert does not itemise tuition, accommodation, textbooks or allowances.
About Sibanye-Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater is a mining and metals processing group. Its Marikana operation forms part of its South African platinum group metals business. The company says it offers a limited number of bursaries to support university studies and future skills needs.
Official company website: https://www.sibanyestillwater.com/
South African careers and bursary information: https://www.sibanyestillwater.com/careers/south-africa/
What the bursary covers
The Marikana advert offers a full-time study opportunity at one of four named universities in 2027. It does not specify the value of the award or identify which costs are covered. Do not assume that tuition, registration, accommodation, meals, books, transport or a monthly allowance are included unless Sibanye-Stillwater confirms this in the award terms.
The advert lists the vacancy’s employment type as temporary. That portal label does not, by itself, explain the bursary’s funding period or promise employment after study.
Eligibility requirements
- Reside in a Marikana local community or labour-sending area and provide proof of residence.
- Have a Grade 12 Matric certificate with university acceptance, with mid-year results provisionally considered where applicable.
- Have an APS of at least 30 for university admission.
- Have at least Level 5 (60% or higher) in English, Mathematics and Physical Science.
- If currently enrolled at university, have an average of at least 60%.
- Meet the admission and registration requirements of the relevant university and programme.
- Be able to obtain an acceptance letter before final bursary allocation.
- Be declared medically fit for the relevant position and environment following Sibanye-Stillwater’s risk-based medical examination, if selected.
Applicants with a Grade 12 Mathematics and English aggregate above 60%, or an evaluation outcome score of 5 or higher, have advantages noted in the advert. The minimum Level 5 subject marks and APS 30 requirement still apply.
Fields of study supported
- BSc Mining Engineering
- BSc Electrical/Mechanical Engineering/Instrumentation, as worded in the advert
- BSc Geology Honours
- BSc Mine Survey
- BEng Tech Extraction Metallurgy / BSc Metallurgy/Chemical/Chemistry, as worded in the advert
- BCom Finance or Accounting
- BPharm (Pharmacy)
The advert names the University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Pretoria and North-West University for 2027 study opportunities. Check that your intended course is offered and that you meet the institution’s specific admission requirements. The exact degree wording for some combined fields should be confirmed against the application form.
Documents to prepare
- Proof of residence in the qualifying area.
- An updated CV.
- A South African Police Service-certified copy of your identity document.
- SAPS-certified copies of qualifications, including your Matric certificate and available university results.
- Your university acceptance letter if already issued; it is required before final allocation.
- Mid-year results if you are applying on provisional results.
The advert expressly requires proof of residence, a CV and SAPS-certified ID and qualification copies to be uploaded online. Follow the portal’s document categories and any further instructions shown during the application.
Selection and application notes
Pre-screening and psychometric evaluation may form part of selection. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a panel interview. The advert also requires medical fitness for the relevant environment and says that final allocation depends on university acceptance.
Sibanye-Stillwater says it is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups in line with its Employment Equity Plan, and reasonable accommodation is available for suitably qualified people with disabilities.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without evidence that you reside in a Marikana local community or labour-sending area.
- Treating an overall average of 60% as a substitute for Level 5 in each specified Matric subject.
- Entering an APS below 30 or choosing a course for which you do not meet university entry requirements.
- Uploading uncertified or unclear ID and qualification copies when SAPS certification is requested.
- Assuming university admission is automatic because you meet the bursary’s minimum marks.
- Waiting until the later displayed deadline despite the date difference between the detailed advert and indexed portal summary.
Scam warning
Use Sibanye-Stillwater’s official recruitment portal. The company says it never asks applicants to pay for recruitment, including screening, interviews or medical fitness checks. Do not share banking PINs, passwords or one-time PINs with anyone offering a guaranteed bursary place. Check reference WPL AD0017892 before uploading personal documents.
How this opportunity was verified
The detailed External Bursar 18.2 advert supplied with this request lists requisition WPL 0074136, eight positions, the Marikana residence requirement, academic thresholds, 2027 fields and universities, required uploads and an end date of 22 October 2026. Sibanye-Stillwater’s official South African careers page confirms the recruitment portal as its application channel. An indexed summary of the same official requisition displays 21 October 2026, so the deadline should be checked on the live portal before publication and submission. The individual advert details were not independently retrievable from the portal’s public page in this check.
How to apply
- Open Sibanye-Stillwater’s official recruitment portal below.
- Search for requisition WPL 0074136 or External Bursar 18.2, and confirm reference WPL AD0017892.
- Read the live advert and check its closing date and eligibility questions.
- Register or sign in, then complete your profile and qualifying questionnaire.
- Upload your CV, proof of residence, SAPS-certified ID and qualification copies in the required sections.
- Check your university and course details, review the application and submit.
- Retain the submission confirmation email.
Application closing date
The detailed advert states 22 October 2026 (South African Standard Time), but an indexed summary of the official portal shows 21 October 2026 for requisition WPL 0074136. The closing time is not clear from the material available. Submit by 20 October where possible and check the live listing for the date displayed there.