Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary South Africa 2025

Vulamathuba Empumelelo is the social development arm of Communicare, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering communities in Cape Town.

They offer various programs focused on socio-economic development, with a particular emphasis on supporting residents within Communicare housing facilities and surrounding neighborhoods.

About the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary

The Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund (VEBF) aims to bridge the financial gap for deserving students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

They offer financial aid to individuals seeking to pursue studies towards qualifications classified as scarce or critical skills within the South African economy.

The bursary program specifically caters to students residing within the City of Cape Town Metropole who are enrolled in Nated (National Certificate Vocational) programs at the N4-N6 levels.

These qualifications equip students with practical skills and industry knowledge, making them highly sought-after in the job market.

Here’s a breakdown of the scarce and critical skills supported by the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary:

  1. Artisan
  2. Civil Engineering
  3. Clothing Production
  4. Engineering (excluding Electrical)
  5. Financial Management
  6. Human Resource Management
  7. Information Technology
  8. Legal Secretary
  9. Management Assistant
  10. Occupational Qualifications (Trade test)  

The bursary offers partial financial assistance to cover registration fees, tuition fees, examination fees, and prescribed materials.

The exact amount awarded is determined by VEBF, with a maximum of R40,000 for tuition and R5,000 for prescribed materials.

Additionally, successful recipients benefit from quarterly mentoring sessions to provide academic and professional guidance.

The bursary does not cover electronic devices, stationery, outstanding student loans, or past tuition expenses.

Bursary awards are granted annually, with the possibility of renewal based on Vulamathuba Empumelelo’s evaluation and the recipient’s academic performance.

Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, ensure you meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. South African citizenship OR Permanent Residency Permit/Work Visa
  2. Communicare tenant OR student from a previously marginalized community
  3. Residency within the Cape Metro Region
  4. Age between 19 and 50 years old
  5. Completed Matric certificate
  6. Enrolled part-time or full-time in one of the listed Nated qualifications (N4-N6)
  7. Studying or accepted at a public TVET College in South Africa
  8. Proven financial need demonstrated through a means test
  9. Gross household income not exceeding R400,000 per year
  10. Strong academic potential
  11. Positive personal qualities such as enthusiasm, drive, a positive attitude, excellent communication skills, teamwork abilities, willingness to volunteer, problem-solving skills, and creativity

Additional Considerations:

  1. Preference is given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds studying at public institutions within Cape Town.
  2. Students with or without disabilities are welcome to apply.

How to Apply

The application process involves the following steps:

Step 1: Download and complete the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary application form. This can be found on the Vulamathuba Empumelelo website.

Step 2: Alternatively, fill out the details electronically via the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Online Application.

Step 3: Submit your completed application along with the following certified documents (applications with missing documents may be disqualified):

  1. ID document or passport.
  2. Permanent Residency Permit or Work Visa (if applicable).
  3. Matric certificate.
  4. Most recent academic results.
  5. Proof of application/ registration for 2024 (on institution’s letterhead).
  6. Proof of residence.
  7. ID documents, passports, or birth certificates of all household members.
  8. Recent bank statements (3 months) for all household members.
  9. Recent proof of income (3 months) for all household members (payslips, affidavits, court orders, etc.).
  10. Motivational essay (minimum 250 words) explaining your aspirations and reasons for needing the bursary.

All supporting documents must be certified within the last 6 months.

How to Contact Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary

For any inquiries related to the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary program, please contact them directly:

  1. Contact Person: Sivuyisiwe Johannes
  2. Telephone: 021 421 6008
  3. Email: applications@vulamathuba.org.za

Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Closing Date

Unfortunately, the application deadline for the 2025 intake is not yet available.

It’s recommended to keep an eye on the Vulamathuba Empumelelo website or contact them directly for updates on the upcoming application period.