The Thebe Foundation is offering comprehensive financial and academic support through the Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship for the 2027 academic year. The opportunity is aimed at financially needy South African students pursuing eligible full-time qualifications at public tertiary institutions.
At a glance
Sponsor: Thebe Foundation Trust
Programme: Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship
Academic year: 2027
Study level: Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours or Master’s; selected TVET artisan programmes
Study mode: Full-time
Closing date: 22 September 2026 at 12:00 midday
About the scholarship
The scholarship honours Dr Enos Mabuza and supports students who need financial assistance to complete their studies and develop into skilled professionals. The Foundation also provides support services intended to help recipients progress academically and graduate successfully.
What the scholarship covers
- Tuition fees
- Textbooks
- Accredited accommodation
- Meals
- A transport allowance for students living at home
- Academic support services during the programme
The scholarship does not cover debt incurred before 2027. Successful applicants who accept the award will be required to end other funding arrangements, including NSFAS funding.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens and younger than 35 when applying.
- Be unemployed and plan to study full-time in 2027.
- Be pursuing the relevant qualification level for the first time.
- Have achieved an average of at least 60% in their most recent full academic year.
- Have a household income below R600,000 per year.
- Fall within a Black designated group under the B-BBEE framework.
- Study or intend to study at a public tertiary institution registered with DHET and SAQA.
Eligible qualification levels include Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours and Master’s studies. PhD studies are excluded. A Master’s applicant’s proposed research topic will form part of the selection assessment.
Fields of study
- Accounting, Corporate Finance and Finance
- Mining Engineering and Electrical Engineering
- Agriculture
- Education or BEd specialising in Mathematics and Technology
- Renewable Energy, Water and Energy
- Information and Communication Technology
- Media, Information and Communication programmes
Selected TVET artisan programmes include electrician, plumbing, mechanics, solar photovoltaic service technician and millwright training.
Documents to prepare
Every applicant must prepare a one-page motivation, a certified South African identity document, recent certified identity documents for parents or guardians, and proof of household income. Additional documents depend on the applicant’s study stage.
- Matric learners: stamped Grade 11 and Grade 12 Term 2 reports.
- Gap-year applicants: certified Matric certificate and, where applicable, the latest official tertiary transcript.
- Undergraduate, Honours and Master’s students: certified Matric certificate, official 2026 proof of registration and the latest official academic transcript.
- Applicants under 18: signed parent or guardian consent form and certified proof of identity.
Certified documents must be less than three months old. Screenshots, password-protected files and unclear documents are not accepted. Institutional documents should display the institution’s official logo and stamp.
Closing date
Applications close on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 at 12:00 midday. Submit early enough to correct registration, upload or document problems before the portal closes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting after the midday deadline
- Leaving sections of the online application incomplete
- Uploading screenshots, blurred scans or password-protected files
- Using certified documents that are more than three months old
- Omitting proof of income, academic records or the one-page motivation
- Applying for a PhD or another qualification outside the supported fields
How this opportunity was verified
Last checked on 6 September 2026 using the live 2027 Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship application portal. The portal confirms that applications are open and provides the closing date, eligibility criteria, benefits and document requirements.
How to apply
- Open the scholarship portal using the button below.
- Read the eligibility rules and document requirements in full.
- Prepare clear, correctly certified supporting documents.
- Register on the portal and complete every required section.
- Upload all supporting documents and submit before the deadline.
- Keep proof of submission and use the portal to track the completed application.