Vulamathuba Empumelelo is the community and social development arm of Communicare, focusing on providing socio-economic support to Communicare tenants and people in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Vulamathuba administers the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF), which aims to help students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds pursue tertiary studies in fields considered scarce or critical skills.
About the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Programme – Fields Covered
Vulamathuba Empumelelo invites students to apply for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF) for the 2025 academic year. Bursaries are available for students residing within the Cape Metro Region (Cape Town) for undergraduate studies in fields declared as scarce or critical skills by the government.
More About the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary – Expenses Covered
The bursary covers:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Textbooks and other academic materials
- Examination fees (if applicable)
The total bursary value is determined by VEBF, with a maximum of R40,000 for tuition fees and R5,000 for prescribed materials. Students will also receive quarterly mentoring.
The bursary does NOT cover electronic devices, stationery, outstanding study loans, or tuition expenses.
More About the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary – Selection
Bursaries are awarded annually and renewed at Vulamathuba Empumelelo’s discretion. Successful recipients must sign an agreement with Vulamathuba Empumelelo. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 3 February 2025. If you don’t receive feedback within 2 months of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Eligibility Requirements for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary
To apply, you must meet these criteria:
- Be a South African citizen OR have a Permanent Residency Permit/Work Visa in South Africa
- Be a Communicare tenant OR from a previously marginalized community
- Reside within the Cape Metro Region
- Be between 19 and 50 years old
- Have completed Matric
- Be studying part-time or full-time towards an undergraduate qualification in a scarce or critical skills field
- Be studying or accepted at a public higher education institution in South Africa (TVET College/University)
- Demonstrate financial need (determined by a means test)
- Have a gross household income of no more than R400,000 per annum
- Show strong academic potential
- Possess qualities like enthusiasm, drive, positive attitude, excellent communication, teamwork, availability for volunteer work, problem-solving, and creativity
Preference is given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, studying at public institutions in the City of Cape Town, and Communicare tenants in good standing. Students with or without disabilities may apply.
How to Apply for the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary
Students meeting the criteria can apply by following these steps:
Step 1: Download and complete the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Application 2025 (.pdf).
Step 2: Fill in your details on the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Online Application 2025.
Enter “busa.hlayiso.com” when asked how you heard about the Vulamathuba Empumelelo bursary.
Step 3: Submit clear copies of the following supporting documents with your completed application:
- ID document or passport (certified copy)
- Permanent Residency Permit or Work Visa if not a South African citizen (certified copy)
- Matric certificate (certified copy)
- Most recent academic results (certified copy)
- Proof of application/registration for 2025 (on institution’s letterhead)
- Proof of residence (certified copy)
- ID document, Passport, or Birth Certificate of all household members (certified copy)
- 3 months recent bank statements of all household members
- 3 months recent proof of ALL income of all household members:
- Latest payslips if employed (certified copy)
- Affidavit if unemployed (certified copy)
- Administration order, Court order, Divorce order, and Maintenance order (if applicable) (certified copy)
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable) (certified copy)
- Death certificate if parents are deceased (certified copy)
- Affidavit explaining circumstances if supported by someone not a parent or legal guardian (certified copy)
- Motivational essay (minimum 250 words – see page 2 of the application form for more info)
Note: Documents must have been certified within the last 6 months.
Closing Date
31 January 2025 (extension) – make sure to apply before this date to be considered.
Contact Details
For any queries related to this bursary programme, contact Vulamathuba Empumelelo directly:
- Contact person: Sivuyisiwe Johannes
- Tel: 021 421 6008
- Email: [email protected]