Who qualifies for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary?

You must be aged between 19 and 50, a South African citizen (or hold a Permanent Residency Permit / valid Work Visa), resident within the City of Cape Town Metro, and economically disadvantaged with a total annual gross household income not exceeding R400,000. You must be in Grade 12, have completed Grade 12, or already be studying toward an undergraduate qualification on South Africa's national scarce/critical skills list. Priority is given to Communicare tenants in good standing.

How much funding does the bursary provide?

The bursary provides up to R45,000.00 per student per academic year - a maximum of R40,000 for tuition/course fees plus R5,000 for prescribed material. It also covers registration costs and examination fees where applicable. VEBF determines the exact amount allocated to each student and excludes funding for electronic devices, stationery and costs from previous study loans.

When does the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary close?

The fund runs an annual cycle. The 2025/2026 academic-year intake closed on Friday, 12 December 2025, and applicants provisionally awarded a bursary are notified by 13 February 2026. VEBF awards bursaries annually at its sole discretion, so a comparable application window is expected for subsequent academic years - check the VEBF website for confirmed dates.

General Vulamathuba Empumelelo (the social and community development arm of Communicare NPC, City of Cape Town Metro), administered in-house by Vulamathuba Empumelelo as administrators of the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF)

Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF)

The Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF) supports economically disadvantaged residents of the City of Cape Town Metro who are studying, or intend to study, toward an undergraduate qualification on South Africa's national scarce/critical skills list. Funding of up to R45,000 per student per academic year covers registration, tuition, prescribed material and examination fees at accredited South African universities and TVET colleges. Recipients commit to 100 hours of community service during the funding period and to a period of work-back within the Communicare group or a nominated organisation after graduation.

Amount:

Up to R45,000.00 per student per academic year (a maximum of R40,000 for tuition/course fees plus R5,000 for prescribed material). VEBF determines the exact amount allocated to each student.

Deadline:

12 December 2025

Renewable:

Yes

Applications closed

Check back next cycle

Apply on Vulamathuba Empumelelo (the social and community development arm of Communicare NPC, City of Cape Town Metro), administered in-house by Vulamathuba Empumelelo as administrators of the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF)'s site

Eligible Fields of Study

Vulamathuba Empumelelo (the social and community development arm of Communicare NPC, City of Cape Town Metro), administered in-house by Vulamathuba Empumelelo as administrators of the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF) supports students in the following disciplines

Qualifications declared as scarce, critical or in-demand skills on South Africa's national critical skills list (Department of Higher Education and Training CriticalSkills_102023.pdf)

Both academic and artisan qualifications, at recognised/accredited SA tertiary institutions including universities and TVET colleges (priority to public Western Cape institutions)

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen (or holder of a Permanent Residency Permit / valid Work Visa if a non-SA citizen)
✓ Aged between 19 and 50 years
✓ Resident within the City of Cape Town Metro (Cape Metro region)
✓ Economically disadvantaged with demonstrated academic potential (means-tested financial need)
✓ Total annual gross household income must not exceed R400,000
✓ In Grade 12, have completed Grade 12, or already studying at an accredited higher education institution
✓ Studying (or intending to study) toward a qualification on the national scarce/critical skills list, at undergraduate level only (postgraduate excluded)
✓ Registered or admitted at a recognised/accredited South African tertiary institution, including universities and TVET colleges (priority to public Western Cape institutions)
✓ Priority given to Communicare tenants in good standing and authorised residents, then to surrounding community members
✓ Must commit to 100 hours of community service/special project work during the funding period and to 'work back' a portion of the bursary within the Communicare group of companies or a nominated organisation after graduation

What's Included

✓ Registration costs
✓ Tuition (course fees)
✓ Textbooks and other academic resource material relevant to the course
✓ Examination fees, if applicable

Work Commitment

Recipients must complete 100 hours of community service or special project work during the funding period, and commit to 'work back' a portion of the bursary within the Communicare group of companies or a nominated organisation after graduation. The bursary converts to a loan if the recipient abandons the course of study or fails to provide proof of successful completion by the start of the new academic period.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Vulamathuba Empumelelo (the social and community development arm of Communicare NPC, City of Cape Town Metro), administered in-house by Vulamathuba Empumelelo as administrators of the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF) bursary application

1
Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria: aged 19-50, resident in the City of Cape Town Metro, household income not exceeding R400,000, and intending to study an undergraduate scarce/critical-skills qualification
2
Check that your chosen qualification appears on South Africa's national critical skills list (DHET CriticalSkills_102023.pdf)
3
Apply online via the VEBF application portal at https://bursaryapplication.powerappsportals.com/application/, or download the official application form from https://www.vulamathuba.org.za/
4
Complete the application in full and write a motivational essay of at least 250 words
5
Attach all certified supporting documents (ID/passport, proof of residence, proof of income, bank statements, proof of registration/admission and latest results)
6
Submit before the annual closing date - the 2025/2026 academic-year intake closed on 12 December 2025; provisional awards are notified by 13 February 2026
7
Direct any queries to [email protected] or 021 421 6008 (attention Sivuyisiwe Johannes)

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of ID document or passport
📄 Proof of residence (within the City of Cape Town Metro)
📄 Three months' proof of all household income
📄 Three months' bank statements
📄 Proof of registration or admission at an accredited tertiary institution
📄 Latest academic results / matric (Grade 12) results
📄 A motivational essay of at least 250 words

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary?: You must be aged between 19 and 50, a South African citizen (or hold a Permanent Residency Permit / valid Work Visa), resident within the City of Cape Town Metro, and economically disadvantaged with a total annual gross household income not exceeding R400,000. You must be in Grade 12, have completed Grade 12, or already be studying toward an undergraduate qualification on South Africa's national scarce/critical skills list. Priority is given to Communicare tenants in good standing.
How much funding does the bursary provide?: The bursary provides up to R45,000.00 per student per academic year - a maximum of R40,000 for tuition/course fees plus R5,000 for prescribed material. It also covers registration costs and examination fees where applicable. VEBF determines the exact amount allocated to each student and excludes funding for electronic devices, stationery and costs from previous study loans.
When does the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary close?: The fund runs an annual cycle. The 2025/2026 academic-year intake closed on Friday, 12 December 2025, and applicants provisionally awarded a bursary are notified by 13 February 2026. VEBF awards bursaries annually at its sole discretion, so a comparable application window is expected for subsequent academic years - check the VEBF website for confirmed dates.
Is there a community service or work-back commitment?: Yes. Recipients must complete 100 hours of community service or special project work during the funding period and commit to 'work back' a portion of the bursary within the Communicare group of companies or a nominated organisation after graduation. The bursary converts to a loan if you abandon your studies or fail to provide proof of successful completion by the start of the new academic period.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 12 December 2025

Need help? Contact Vulamathuba Empumelelo (the social and community development arm of Communicare NPC, City of Cape Town Metro), administered in-house by Vulamathuba Empumelelo as administrators of the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 021 421 6008

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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