Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027 | Apply Now

About the Thebe Foundation

Thebe Foundation was established in 2011 as a registered Public Benefit Organisation dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities and improving the lives of communities across South Africa.

The programme aims to support financially needy students pursuing studies at higher education institutions in various fields. The programme hopes to equip students with the skills and competencies to allow for them to become professionals in their fields.

The Thebe Foundation is inviting students to apply for the Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship programme for the 2027 academic year.

Organisation: Thebe Foundation • Established: 2011 • Scholarship: Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship • Focus: Various fields of study • Academic Year: 2027

About the Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship

The Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Fund was launched in 2016 to honour the legacy of Dr Enos Mabuza and recognise his contribution to the establishment of Thebe Investment Corporation.

Dr Mabuza played an important role in the organisation’s history, working alongside prominent South African leaders including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Beyers Naude during the company’s founding. The scholarship fund continues this legacy by supporting educational opportunities for deserving students.

The programme aims to support financially needy students pursuing studies at higher education institutions in various fields. The programme hopes to equip students with the skills and competencies to allow for them to become professionals in their fields.

What Fields of Study Are Covered?

The Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027 will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Masters) studies within the following fields:

Expenses Covered

The Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027 will provide cover for the following expenses:

• Tuition fees
• Textbooks
• Accommodation in residence or accredited accommodation
• Meals
• Transport allowance for students living at home

Note: The scholarship will NOT cover historical debt.

Eligibility Requirements for the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027

Before you apply for the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be defined as a Black Designated Group according to BBBEE (African, Coloured, Indian or Asian)
• You must be under 35 years of age
• You must be unemployed
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards one of the qualifications listed above
• You must be studying or intend on studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, or Master’s only)
• You must be pursuing your qualification-level for the first time
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a registered public tertiary institution (including community colleges and TVET Colleges)
• You must have a strong academic record with a minimum average pass rate of 60%
• You must have a total household income of LESS than R600,000 per year
• You must NOT have any outstanding student debt
• You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding (including NSFAS)

Important Information

• The scholarship will NOT cover repeating a qualification at the same level
• The scholarship will NOT fund PhD studies
• All applicants will receive a confirmation email after their application has been received. Thereafter, applicants will be advised if their application is unsuccessful. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews.
• If you do not receive feedback within 3 months of the application closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Required Documents

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form. All documents must have been certified within the last 3 months. Where you have multiple documents for 1 submission, please combine/scan them into 1 file that you can upload.

• ID document
• Grade 9 final report, Grade 11 final report, and Matric term 2 report (if currently in Matric, stamped with official school stamp)
• TVET academic reports since leaving high school (N4, N6, etc.)
• Matric certificate (if completed Matric)
• Most recent official academic transcripts (if currently studying)
• Proof of registration at university for 2026 academic year (if currently studying, official document from university)
• Proof of acceptance/provisional acceptance at an accredited institution for the 2027 academic year
• Parents or guardians ID documents / death certificates
• Parents or guardians proof of household income (3 months payslips if employed / affidavit if unemployed / copy of SASSA docs if receiving a social grant)
• Motivational letter/statement indicating why you have chosen your field of study and how you intend to use it after graduation (1 page)
• Department of Labour Employment Equity Act (EEA1) Form
• Doctor’s Letter (if disabled)
• Proof of any other bursary funding/NSFAS, if applicable (bursary agreement/letter/offer)
• Completed parent/guardian consent form (if under 18 years old)

Contact Information

If you have any queries related to the Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027, please contact Excel@Uni (the administrators for this scholarship) directly:

• Email: hello@excelatuni.com
• Telephone: 021 409 7982
• Or use the chat support function on the application page

Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary

• Organisation: Thebe Foundation
• Scholarship Name: Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship
• Established: 2011 (Foundation) / 2016 (Scholarship)
• Academic Year: 2027
• Who can apply: Black South African citizens (African, Coloured, Indian, Asian) under 35
• Employment status: Must be unemployed
• Fields of study: Accounting, Agriculture, Artisan Skills, Corporate Finance, Education (Maths & Technology), Electrical Engineering, Finance, ICT, Media, Mining Engineering, Renewable Energy, Water and Energy
• Study level: Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree, Honours, Masters only)
• Institution type: Registered public tertiary institution (including community colleges and TVET Colleges)
• Key requirements: 60% minimum average, pursuing qualification for first time, household income under R600,000, no outstanding debt, no other bursary funding
• Not covered: Historical debt, repeating a qualification, PhD studies
• Expenses covered: Tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meals, transport allowance
• Required documents: ID, academic records, proof of registration/acceptance, parents/guardians ID and income proof, motivational letter, EEA1 form, doctor’s letter (if disabled), parent/guardian consent form (if under 18)
• Application method: Online via Auraams portal
• Feedback timeline: Within 3 months of closing date
• Closing date: 22 September 2026 at 12:00 (midday)