Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship (2023)

Applications are currently closed.

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ABOUT THE COMPANY


To enhance Thebe’s community programmes, the Thebe Foundation was established as an independent trust in February 2011 to drive Thebe’s corporate social investment strategy. The Foundation forges partnerships between Thebe, its subsidiaries and economically-marginalised communities, in order to reshape them and ensure a more prosperous and humane future. 

The Thebe Foundation programmes, which enables the group to contribute to socio-economic transformation in our communities, focus primarily on education and enterprise and supplier development (ESD). 

Leveraging the collective goodwill, development commitment, business capacity, and skills of the Thebe Group of Companies and its associated partners, we are able to formulate and carry out transformative and impactful interventions. 

True to the African idiom, “No matter how far a stream flows, it never forgets its source,” Thebe remains focused on its primary reason for existence: TO BUILD COMMUNITIES. 

About The Bursary


The Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Fund was established in 2016 in honour of Dr Enos Mabuza, and the critical role he played in the inception of the Founders Legacy Programme together with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Beyers Naude.  

The initiative aims to support financially needy students at universities, thereby contributing to the development of higher education graduates who are confident and proud of their African identity and heritage, academically and socially adept, and equipped with the skills and competencies enabling them to become professionals in their fields. 

The bursaries cover the expenses of tuition fees, textbooks, residence or accredited accommodation costs, meals and a transport allowance for those students living at home. The Thebe Foundation provides support services at all stages of this programme, to ensure that all recipients are supported in their academic efforts and successfully graduate at the end of their studies.

Who Can Apply


  1. Applicants must be under 35 years of age.   
  2. Applicants must be South African citizens.
  3. Applicants must be pursuing a FULL-TIME qualification (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree/Honours), excluding Masters/Phd 
  4. Applicants must be pursuing their qualification-level for the first time (ie, not repeating a degree, honours, etc) 
  5. Good academic record with an average pass rate of 60% and above
  6. Household income below R600K per year.
  7. Black students in accordance with the revised B-BBEE Codes.
  8. Applicants must be pursuing a qualification or intending to pursue a qualification at PUBLIC tertiary institution registered with DHET and SAQA. (This includes community colleges and TVETS) 
  9. The bursary will be allocated to students who have enrolled in  Bachelor or Diploma programs majoring in the following courses at Public Tertiary institutions: 
  • Accounting
  • Corporate Finance,
  • Finance
  • Mining Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Agriculture
  • Education/BEd – specialising with Mathematics and Technology 

Please read these notes and instructions carefully before completing the form. Be sure to read every section and ensure that the information you provide is accurate.

  • Applications that are incomplete and that include misrepresentations will immediately be disregarded.
  • Please ensure that you attach ALL of the Required Documents
  • Applications are currently closed.

  •  It is your responsibility to apply for entrance for your intended course and university and to ensure that you are able to meet the entrance requirements stipulated for your course.
  • Please ensure that you complete all the sections of this application form.
  • Please select the correct funding opportunity when completing your application.
  • You will receive a confirmation e-mail once we have received your application.
  • You will be advised if your application is unsuccessful. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews.
  • Good Luck! 
Track Application

Required Documents


Please prepare the following documents:

    All Applicants

    1. Certified ID 
    2. Proof of Income (combine into one document/scan for all household members, incl. SASSA & affidavits) 
    3. The following documentation must accompany the application form: 
    4. Latest Official academic transcripts (if in tertiary already)
    5. Certified Matric certificate
    6. Certified copies of Parents/Guardians Identity Document (or death certificate)
    7. Certified copy of Parents/Guardians payslip or proof of income incl SASSA grants
    8. Certified Affidavit if parents/guardians are unemployed
    9. Brief motivation letter for funding (not more than 1 page)

    If you're in matric (2022), also submit the following:

    1. Grade 11 end-year report (with school stamp)
    2. Grade 12 term-2 school report (with school stamp)  

    If you are a Matric-graduate, Undergrad or Postgrad Student at university: 

    1. Latest Official Transcript 

For applicants under the age of 18, to comply with POPI regulations a signed consent form completed by your parent/legal guardian along with a certified copy of their proof of identity is required.

You can download the guardian consent form by clicking HERE.