Hey! If you’re a South African teen who lives in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (MP313) and you’re hoping to start university, there’s a chance to get help covering your tuition and living costs for the year 2026. That’s what the 2026 Bursary Programme is all about.
Why apply for the Bursary?
The municipality wants to see more of our young people go to university, especially in subjects that will help build and improve our town. The bursary gives students the chance to study full‑time or online at any public university or TVET college in South Africa. If you were approved for a place and you’re looking at classes from 2026, you might be able to get a financial boost.
What can you study?
The scholarship covers a number of key fields that match the needs of our local economy. You can pick from:
- Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining)
- Environmental & Development Studies
- Financial Management, Accounting and Internal Auditing
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Legal Studies
- Media Studies
- Town & Regional Planning, Architecture, Real Estate or Property Valuation and Management, Quantity Surveying
What does the bursary pay for?
When the money is available, it can help cover different pieces of your university life, such as:
- Tuition fees that you’d normally have to pay at your university
- An allowance for food and a place to stay while you study (you’ll need to send proof)
- Books and other study materials that your course needs
- A monthly allowance so you can get by (this depends on how much budget the municipality can set aside)
Keep in mind that the municipality can’t promise a full bursary for every applicant. How much you receive will follow the municipal bursary policy and the amount of money available.
Who can apply?
These rules apply to every applicant who wants to be considered:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- Your age should be between 18 and 35 years old.
- You must live inside the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (MP313) in Mpumalanga.
- You need to be in matric or already have finished matric.
- You must be studying or plan to study an undergraduate course in one of the fields listed above.
- You must have an offer letter from a public tertiary institution (university or TVET college).
- Your household income together with your partner or parents must be no more than R350 000 per year.
- You cannot be receiving another bursary or financial aid.
- Students who have disabilities and those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
How do you apply?
Download the application form, fill it out carefully, and gather the documents we need. The form is a PDF that you can print or fill digitally.
Download the 2026 Bursary Application Form
After you’re done, send the following certified copies to the address below (no email or fax, please):
- South Australian ID
- Grades for 11th grade or your current Grade 12 report
- Matric certificate, if you have one
- Offer letter from the university or TVET college you plan to attend
- The rest of your academic records, if you’re still studying
- A motivational letter that explains why you want this bursary and how it will help you
- ID documents for your parents or guardians
- Proof of household income (payslips, affidavit, SASSA proof, UIF, etc.)
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- Death certificate, if applicable
- Proof that you live in our municipality (utility bill, lease, etc.)
Send your application to:
Office of the Director – Human Resources or Skills Development Facilitator
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Building
Ground Floor, Civic Centre Building
Corner Walter Sisulu Street & Wanderers Avenue
Middelburg, Mpumalanga
When do you finish?
The deadline for submitting applications is 14 November 2025. After that, the municipality will review all the applications and put a list together of students who will be invited to the next step. If you don’t hear back from them within 8 weeks of that date, you can assume you were not selected.
Good luck, and remember the bursary is a chance to step into a bright future by easing some of the money stress. If you’re answering these questions, you might be a good fit—so don’t wait. Get that form in, gather the paperwork, and send it in before the deadline!