Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary

Who can apply

• Be a South African citizen OR have a Permanent Residency Permit/ Work Visa in South Africa
• Be a Communicare tenant OR a students from a previously marginalized community
• Reside within the City of Cape Town Metro Region
• Be between 19 and 50 years old
• Be have completed Matric
• Be studying or intend on studying part-time or full-time, towards an undergraduate qualification, within a scarce or critical skills field
• Be studying or have applied and been accepted at a public higher education institution in South Africa (TVET College / University)
• Have proven financial need (this will be determined by a means test)
• Have a gross household income of NOT more than R400 000 per annum
• Have strong academic potential
• Have the following personal qualities: enthusiastic, highly driven, positive attitude, excellent communicator, team player, available to volunteer, problem solver, creative and innovative
• Preference will be given to students from a previously disadvantaged background, accepted to study at public institutions in the City of Cape Town
• Preference will be given to Communicare tenants in good standing and authorised residents before considering neighbouring community members
• Students with or without disabilities may apply

What the bursary covers

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees (maximum value of R40 000)
• Prescribed materials (maximum value of R5 000)
• Examination fees (where applicable)

Value mentioned: R40 000, R5 000

Documents you will need

• ID document or passport (certified copy)
• Permanent Residency Permit or Work Visa, if not a South African citizen (certified copy)
• Matric certificate (certified copy)
• Most recent academic results (certified copy)
• Proof of application/ registration for 2026 (on institutions letterhead)
• Proof of residence (certified copy)
• ID document, Passport or Birth Certificate of all household members (spouse/ parents/ guardians and all other household members (certified copy)
• 3 months recent bank statements of all household members (your own, spouse, parents, guardians, and all other household members)
• 3 months recent proof of ALL income of all household members (your own, spouse, parents, guardians, and all other household members):
• Motivational essay (minimum 250 words – see page 2 of the application form for more info) (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   • Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Application Form 2026
   • Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Online Application 2026

   Students who meet the above criteria, may apply by following these steps: Step 1: Download and complete the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Application Form 2026
   Step 2: Complete the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Online Application 2026

   Note: documents must have been certified within the last 6 months.

4. Submit before the closing date

   Usually closes around December. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Applications for the current cycle have closed. This bursary usually opens again each year, so prepare your documents now and check back.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

Contact the bursary provider

• Email [email protected]
• Phone 021 421 6008

Contact the provider only with questions about this bursary. StudentBursaries.co.za does not process applications.

About Vulamathuba Empumelelo

Vulamathuba Empumelelo is the social development arm of Communicare, a Cape Town social housing company.