Government

Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mayoral Bursary (Mayoral Funding) for External Students

Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela)

The Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mayoral Bursary, defined as "Mayoral Funding" in the municipality's Bursary Policy, is a government bursary for financially needy external students from the Ehlanzeni district in Mpumalanga. It funds full-time undergraduate degrees and diplomas at recognised South African universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges, with funding paid directly to the institution. Preference goes to previously disadvantaged individuals and persons with a disability who reside in the district.

Amount
Not publicly fixed - the bursary amount is determined annually by Council subject to available funds, and is paid directly to the tertiary institution. It covers all or some of registration, tuition, administration, examination fees and a prescribed-book allowance.
Deadline
To be announced
Renewable
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela) supports students in the following disciplines

Engineering
Finance
Information Technology
Environmental Health
Other fields at the discretion of the Executive Mayor

Eligibility Requirements

  • South African citizen
  • Completed Grade 12 with provisional admission at a recognised SA university, university of technology or TVET college
  • Previously disadvantaged individual or person with a disability resident in the Ehlanzeni District municipal area (preference)
  • Proven financial need: proof of combined household/parental income required (advertised cycle stated combined monthly household income must not exceed approximately R3,750, broadly the level of the government old-age pension grant per the policy)
  • Must register and study full-time; correspondence courses are not funded
  • Not available to students who receive NSFAS funding (no double funding)
  • Submit a complete application package including the Mayoral Funding Application Form, motivation letter, academic results, certified IDs, proof of admission, proof of income and proof of residence

What's Included

  • Covers all or some of registration, tuition, administration, examination fees and a prescribed-book allowance, paid directly to the institution
  • Restricted to undergraduate degrees and diplomas at recognised SA universities, universities of technology or TVET colleges
  • Possible consideration for employment by the municipality after graduation if vacancies exist (no binding work-back obligation for external bursars)

Work Commitment

No binding work-back obligation for external bursars; graduates may be considered for employment by the municipality after graduation if vacancies exist.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela) bursary application

  1. 1

    Confirm the application window is open - HR calls for applications via the municipal website, local newspaper and notice boards in the second quarter of each year

  2. 2

    Obtain the Mayoral Funding Application Form from the Ehlanzeni District Municipality website (www.ehlanzeni.gov.za) or from the municipality's reception

  3. 3

    Complete the application form in full and prepare your letter of motivation

  4. 4

    Attach all required certified supporting documents, including proof of admission, proof of income and proof of residence

  5. 5

    Submit the completed application package before the published closing date - the 2026 academic-year cycle closed on 6 March 2026

  6. 6

    Applications are screened by HR and selected by the External Bursary Committee (chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services), with final approval by the Municipal Manager

Required Documents

  • 📄 Completed Mayoral Funding Application Form
  • 📄 Letter of motivation
  • 📄 Grade 12 results or recent academic record
  • 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
  • 📄 Certified copy of parent/guardian ID
  • 📄 Letter or proof of admission from the tertiary institution
  • 📄 Proof of combined household/parental income (and an affidavit if the parent is unemployed)
  • 📄 Proof of residence within the Ehlanzeni District municipal area

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for the Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mayoral Bursary?
You must be a South African citizen who has completed Grade 12 and holds provisional admission at a recognised SA university, university of technology or TVET college. Preference is given to previously disadvantaged individuals and persons with a disability who reside in the Ehlanzeni District municipal area, and you must show financial need - the advertised cycle required combined monthly household income not exceeding approximately R3,750. The bursary is not available to students who receive NSFAS funding.
What does the bursary cover and how is it paid?
It covers all or some of registration, tuition, administration, examination fees and a prescribed-book allowance, paid directly to the tertiary institution. The exact amount is not publicly fixed - it is determined annually by Council subject to available funds. Meals, accommodation, transport and supplementary-exam costs are not covered and remain the student's responsibility.
Which qualifications and fields are funded?
Funding is restricted to full-time undergraduate degrees and diplomas at recognised SA universities, universities of technology or TVET colleges. Priority fields include Engineering, Finance, Information Technology and Environmental Health, with other fields considered at the discretion of the Executive Mayor. Correspondence courses are not funded.
When does it close and where do I get the form?
The scheme recurs annually, with HR calling for applications via the municipal website, local newspaper and notice boards in the second quarter of each year. For the 2026 academic year the closing date was 6 March 2026. The Mayoral Funding Application Form is available from the Ehlanzeni District Municipality website or its reception; you can also contact Ms C de Lange, or submit in person at 8 van Niekerk Street, Mbombela, 1200.

When do 2027 applications open?

Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.

The last recorded window closed on 6 March 2026. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela) before you rely on them.

Check Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela)'s official site

Need help? Contact Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga; administered in-house by the municipality's Human Resources Unit, with applicants selected by the External Bursary Committee chaired by the MMC for Corporate Services and final approval by the Municipal Manager; head office Mbombela):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (013) 759 8634 (contact person: Ms C de Lange)

Information verified 2026-03-06. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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