Vhembe District Municipality is inviting eligible students to apply for the Mayoral Bursary Fund for the 2026 academic year. The bursary is intended to support disadvantaged learners and students who reside in the Vhembe District (Limpopo) and who are pursuing, or intend to pursue, tertiary studies.
At a glance
- Who it’s for: South African students who reside in the Vhembe District (Limpopo) and meet the municipality’s criteria (matriculants and tertiary students).
- Fields of study: A range of priority fields (see “Fields supported” below) as indicated on public listings for the municipal bursary.
- What it covers: Financial support for qualifying study-related costs as determined by the municipality’s bursary terms. Confirm the exact costs/limits in the official application form or bursary agreement.
- Service obligation: Any work-back or other conditions are set out in the municipality’s bursary terms (confirm in the form/contract).
- Key date: Closing date listed as 23 January 2026.
Who’s offering this?
Vhembe District Municipality is a district municipality in Limpopo, with local municipalities including Musina, Makhado, Thulamela and Collins Chabane. The municipality periodically invites applications for its Mayoral Bursary Fund to support qualifying residents who intend to study at tertiary level.
Fields supported
Public bursary listings for the Vhembe District Mayoral Bursary typically indicate support for selected fields that align with municipal priorities, including (but not limited to):
- Administration / Management
- Agriculture
- Development / Youth Development studies
- Economics & Business Management
- Engineering (e.g., Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining)
- Environmental / Disaster / Waste Management
- Finance / Accounting / Auditing
- Hydrology
- Information Technology
- Media Studies
- Regional & Town Planning
- Tourism
- Water & Waste Management
Tip: Use the official application form/advert as the source of truth for the final, current list of supported fields.
Eligibility checklist
- South African citizen.
- Reside within the Vhembe District (proof of residence is usually required).
- Completed Matric (or currently in Matric, depending on the year’s advert) and meet the municipality’s academic requirements.
- Studying (or intending to study) towards a recognised qualification in one of the supported fields.
- Accepted/provisionally accepted/registered at a recognised tertiary institution (as required by the application form).
Documents to prepare
Supporting documents are commonly required with municipal bursary applications. Prepare clear, certified copies (where applicable) of:
- ID document.
- Matric final results/certificate (or latest results if still in school).
- Full academic record/transcript (if already studying at tertiary level).
- Proof of acceptance / provisional acceptance / registration (institution letterhead where possible).
- Parents/guardian ID documents and proof of household income (or affidavit if unemployed, where applicable).
- Proof of residence (e.g., SANCO / Headman / Civic confirmation, depending on the municipality’s requirements).
Closing date
Closing date: 23 January 2026 (as listed on the Vhembe District Municipality application form)
How selection works
Applications are assessed against the municipality’s eligibility criteria, academic information and the availability of funding. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting after the closing date (or missing the correct submission method).
- Leaving out required documents (or submitting unclear scans/photos).
- Not providing acceptable proof of residence within the Vhembe District.
- Using an outdated form/requirements from a previous year — always use the latest municipal form/advert.
How to apply
- Open the official Vhembe District Municipality bursary application form (or collect it from Musina, Makhado, Thulamela or Collins Chabane local municipality offices, as listed on public notices).
- Complete the application form in full.
- Attach all required supporting documents.
- Submit your application using the method specified by the municipality.