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Apply for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary 2025 to access partial funding for tertiary studies in scarce and critical skills fields, and uplift your community while shaping your future.
Introduction
Vulamathuba Empumelelo invests in talented students who can drive socio-economic development in the Cape Metro region. By focusing on individuals from previously marginalized communities, Vulamathuba Empumelelo ensures that financial barriers don’t prevent eager learners from pursuing higher education. This bursary not only provides financial support but also encourages personal growth, community engagement, and academic excellence.
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Fields Covered
The Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary supports undergraduate Diploma or Degree studies in any field identified as scarce or critical skills by the government. By offering flexibility across various disciplines, the bursary encourages applicants to choose careers aligned with their interests and community needs.
Check out our listings of Engineering Bursaries
What the Bursary Covers & Benefits
The bursary provides partial coverage of:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Textbooks and academic materials
- Examination fees (if applicable)
The total bursary value can reach up to R40,000 for tuition and R5,000 for prescribed materials. Recipients will also receive quarterly mentoring, gaining guidance and support beyond financial assistance.
Accommodation, travel, electronic devices, and other personal expenses remain the student’s responsibility. However, the mentorship and partial funding help reduce the overall financial strain, allowing you to focus on academic excellence.
Additional Opportunities & Conditions
Bursary recipients will be encouraged to complete one week of vacation or volunteer work annually within their community. This requirement fosters community engagement and equips you with real-world experience, problem-solving skills, and valuable connections.
If you fail any modules, you must repeat them at your own expense. The bursary’s renewal each year depends on your academic performance and the discretion of the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Trustees.
For tips on maintaining strong academics, revisit Effective Study Techniques
Eligibility Requirements
Ensure you meet these criteria before applying:
- South African citizen or holder of a Permanent Residency Permit/Work Visa
- Communicare tenant or student from a previously marginalized community
- Residing within the Cape Metro Region
- Between 19 and 50 years old
- Completed Matric
- Accepted or enrolled part-time or full-time for an undergraduate qualification in a scarce or critical skills field at a public institution (TVET College/University) in South Africa
- Proven financial need (gross household income ≤ R400,000 per annum)
- Strong academic potential
- Personal qualities: enthusiastic, driven, positive, excellent communicator, team player, willing to volunteer, problem solver, creative, innovative
Preference goes to students from disadvantaged backgrounds studying at public institutions in Cape Town. Communicare tenants in good standing get priority over neighboring community members. Students with or without disabilities are welcome to apply.
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How to Apply for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary
- Download and complete the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Application 2025 (pdf).
- Fill in your details on the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Online Application 2025.
- Mention “www.onlinebursaries.co.za” when asked how you heard about the bursary.
Required Documents (compulsory):
- Certified ID document/passport
- Certified Permanent Residency Permit/Work Visa if not a SA citizen
- Certified Matric certificate
- Latest academic results (certified)
- Proof of 2025 application/registration at a public institution
- Certified proof of residence
- Certified ID/passport/birth certificates of all household members
- 3 months recent bank statements of all household members
- 3 months proof of income for all household members (payslips, affidavits, grants, etc.)
- Certified copies of marriage, death, divorce, or maintenance documents if applicable
- Motivational essay (min. 250 words)
Documents must be certified within the last 6 months. Incomplete submissions may be disqualified.
Closing Date for Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary
31 January 2025 (extension).
Apply before the deadline—late applications won’t be considered.
Contact Information
For queries, contact Vulamathuba Empumelelo:
Name: Sivuyisiwe Johannes (Trust Administrator)
Tel: 021 421 6008
Email: [email protected]
If the bursary is closed, explore our Bursaries for other funding options.
Conclusion
The Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary represents an invaluable stepping stone for individuals eager to break free from financial constraints and achieve academic success. By investing in human potential and focusing on scarce skill fields, this bursary paves the way for graduates to uplift themselves, their families, and their communities.
Share this chance with peers who may benefit, and continue leveraging our resources for academic guidance, personal growth, and professional development. Your path to a brighter, more impactful future begins here.
About the Bursary Provider – Vulamathuba Empumelelo
Vulamathuba Empumelelo, the community and social development arm of Communicare, is dedicated to creating economic mobility for tenants and communities in the Cape Metro region. Through the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF), they offer financial support and additional resources to help deserving students pursue qualifications in high-demand fields. By doing so, Vulamathuba Empumelelo fosters resilience, empowerment, and long-term sustainability—ensuring that both individuals and communities thrive well into the future.
