Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship 2026 — Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. Attorneys invite final-year LLB students at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of the Western Cape to apply for this memorial scholarship established in honour of Bhekisizwe Godfrey Mlangeni, a community activist and aspiring lawyer who was assassinated in 1991. The scholarship supports Black South African students in financial need who demonstrate commitment to social justice and excellence in Labour, Constitutional, or Administrative Law.
About the Scholarship Provider
Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. Attorneys are one of South Africa’s leading law firms, first established in 1979 by a group of legal academics from the University of Witwatersrand. The firm has grown tremendously from its origins as a labour law and human rights practice to a leading law firm with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, consisting of numerous professionally trained lawyers serving an ever-growing clientèle. The firm ensures that legal and academic expertise is combined with practical and strategic advice.
The scholarship celebrates the memory and legacy of Bhekisizwe Godfrey Mlangeni, reminding us of the sacrifices made to achieve democracy and our responsibility to uphold the principles of the Constitution.
About Bheki Mlangeni
The Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Bhekisizwe Godfrey Mlangeni, a colleague and friend to Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. In January 1989, Mlangeni joined the firm as a graduate from Wits University, a community activist, and aspiring lawyer, despite his impoverished upbringing. Mlangeni was assassinated on 15 February 1991 from an explosion triggered by a booby-trapped cassette player that was both dispatched and manufactured by the Vlakplaas Unit of the then South African Police.
Eligibility Requirements for Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship 2026
- South African citizen
- Studying towards an LLB qualification
- Entering final year of study in 2026
- Studying at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) OR the University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Black South African
- In financial need
- Shows commitment to your legal qualification
- Has a goal to advance the cause of social justice
- Has shown excellence in Labour Law, Constitutional Law or Administrative Law
Important: Failure to satisfy all requirements will lead to your application not being considered.
Fields of Study & Universities
- Qualification: LLB (final year)
- Universities:
- University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Academic Excellence Areas: Labour Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law
The scholarship promotes progressive legal education at these two institutions in memory of Bheki Mlangeni.
Required Documents for Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship 2026
- Name of the scholarship (Bheki Mlangeni Scholarship)
- Certified copy of ID document
- Full academic results/record (certified copy)
- Motivational letter stating why you deserve the scholarship
- Updated Curriculum Vitae including your student number
- 2 reference letters
- Contact details (telephone number and email address)
Note: There is no application form to complete. Students need only submit the list of documents via email.
How to Apply for Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship 2026
Application Method: Email submission directly to the relevant university coordinator.
UWC students email: Vernon Johannes at vjohannes@uwc.ac.za
Wits students email: Wanda Ndlozi at wanda.ndlozi@wits.ac.za
Email subject line: “Bheki Mlangeni Scholarship 2026”
⏰ Closing Date: Applications close on 28 February 2026.
Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Programme Details
- Scholarship Name: Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship
- Provider: Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. Attorneys
- Academic Year: 2026
- Qualification: LLB (final year only)
- Universities: Wits and UWC
- Target Group: Black South African students in financial need
- Academic Focus: Excellence in Labour, Constitutional, or Administrative Law
- Additional Opportunity: Possible vacation work at Cheadle Thompson & Haysom
- Application Method: Email to university coordinator
- Closing Date: 28 February 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive any feedback, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Contact Information
- Johannesburg Branch:
- Tel: 011 403 2765
- Email: admin@cth.co.za
- Cape Town Branch:
- Tel: 021 418 2278
- Email: admin@cth.co.za
- UWC Coordinator: Vernon Johannes – vjohannes@uwc.ac.za
- Wits Coordinator: Wanda Ndlozi – wanda.ndlozi@wits.ac.za
For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact Cheadle Thompson and Haysom Inc. directly using the details above.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship?
A memorial scholarship established by Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. Attorneys in honour of Bhekisizwe Godfrey Mlangeni, a community activist and aspiring lawyer assassinated in 1991. It supports final-year Black LLB students at Wits and UWC who demonstrate financial need, commitment to social justice, and excellence in Labour, Constitutional, or Administrative Law.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
Black South African citizens studying final-year LLB at Wits or UWC in 2026, in financial need, committed to social justice, with demonstrated excellence in Labour Law, Constitutional Law, or Administrative Law.
3. What universities are covered?
University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and University of the Western Cape (UWC). Students must be entering their final year of LLB at one of these institutions.
4. How do I apply?
Email your documents to the appropriate university coordinator: UWC students email Vernon Johannes at vjohannes@uwc.ac.za; Wits students email Wanda Ndlozi at wanda.ndlozi@wits.ac.za. Use subject line “Bheki Mlangeni Scholarship 2026”. No application form required. Closing date: 28 February 2026.
5. What documents are required?
Scholarship name, certified ID copy, full academic results/record, motivational letter, updated CV with student number, 2 reference letters, and contact details (telephone and email).
6. Is there an application form?
No, there is no application form to complete. Students need only submit the required documents via email to the appropriate university coordinator.
7. What is the history behind this scholarship?
Established in memory of Bhekisizwe Godfrey Mlangeni, who joined Cheadle Thompson & Haysom in 1989 as a Wits graduate and community activist despite his impoverished upbringing. He was assassinated on 15 February 1991 by a booby-trapped cassette from the Vlakplaas Unit. The scholarship celebrates his legacy and reminds us of sacrifices made for democracy.
8. What are the scholarship’s aims?
To celebrate Bheki Mlangeni’s memory, remind us of sacrifices for democracy, promote progressive legal education at Wits, and continuously remind us of our responsibility to uphold Constitutional principles.
9. Is vacation work available?
Scholarship recipients may be required to partake in a vacation work programme at Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc., providing valuable practical legal experience.
10. Who should I contact with questions?
Contact Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc.: Johannesburg (011 403 2765) or Cape Town (021 418 2278), email admin@cth.co.za. University coordinators: Vernon Johannes (UWC) and Wanda Ndlozi (Wits). For more law bursaries, explore our law bursaries database or check scholarships.
For more law bursaries and scholarship opportunities, visit EduFunds.co.za
Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. Attorneys
Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship
Celebrating Legacy • Promoting Social Justice • Upholding the Constitution