South African youth aspiring to build careers in construction, engineering, planning, and the broader built environment have just received game-changing news. The Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme 2026 has officially opened, offering full financial support to unemployed students who want to study at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
- Check if you Qualify for this Bursary before you Apply
- Track your Daily Career Score Here
- Create and Download your CV for this Bursary Application here
- Create a Motivational Letter for this Bursary Application here
- Check if you also Qualify for NSFAS Funding here
- Check if you Qualify for TVET College Enrolment here
- View more 2026 Bursaries here
This bursary is funded and administered by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and is aimed at addressing one of South Africa’s most critical challenges: skills shortages in the built environment sector.
If you come from a household earning less than R600 000 per year, are currently unemployed, and plan to study a built-environment qualification, this opportunity could completely change your future.
Quick Overview
| Item | Details |
| Bursary Name | Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme |
| Funding Body | CETA |
| Academic Year | 2026 |
| Opening Date | 05 January 2026 (08:00) |
| Closing Date | 30 January 2026 (00:00) |
| Who Can Apply | Unemployed South African citizens |
| Institutions Covered | Public Universities & TVET Colleges |
| Study Fields | Built Environment Qualifications |
| Application Platform | INDICIUM (Online only) |
| Email Applications | Not accepted |
What Does the Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Cover?
This bursary offers comprehensive financial support, which may include:
- Full tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
- Accommodation and meals
- Transport costs (subject to conditions)
- Research allowance (for Master’s and PhD students only)
This means students can focus on studying and succeeding, without the constant stress of financial pressure.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
Citizenship & Employment Status
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be currently unemployed
Study Requirements
- Intending to study towards a built-environment qualification
- Must be registered or accepted at a public university or TVET college in South Africa
Academic Requirements
- Minimum 50% overall average
- Applies to first-year, returning, postgraduate, Master’s and PhD students
Household Income
- Total household income must be less than R600 000 per annum
If you are studying at a private institution, you do not qualify.
Mandatory Documents You Must Prepare (Very Important)
Your application will be rejected automatically if any document is missing or unclear.
Prepare the following:
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Matric certificate or statement of results (first-year students)
- Latest tertiary academic record (returning students)
- Proof of acceptance from a public institution
- Certified IDs of parents/guardians
- Proof of household income (latest payslip or affidavit)
- Affidavit confirming unemployment status
Tip from Edupstairs: Scan documents clearly and name them properly before uploading.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
All applications must be submitted online via INDICIUM.
Application Steps:
- Visit CETA Application Page here
- Register or log in on INDICIUM
- Select Bursary Application
- Upload all required documents
- Submit before 30 January 2026
No emailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered.
Important Dates to Remember
- Applications Open: 05 January 2026
- Applications Close: 30 January 2026
- Late Applications: Not accepted
Do not wait until the last day — INDICIUM traffic can be high.
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice (Read This Carefully)
At Edupstairs, we’ve seen thousands of bursary applications fail due to simple mistakes.
Our advice:
- Apply early
- Double-check documents
- Be honest in affidavits
- Choose qualifications linked to scarce skills
- Prepare your CV early for internships after graduation
Remember: Funding opens doors, preparation keeps them open.
Career Growth Path After This Bursary
This bursary can unlock careers such as:
- Civil Engineering Technician → Professional Engineer
- Quantity Surveyor → Registered QS (SACQSP)
- Construction Manager → Project Director
- Town Planner → Municipal or Provincial Planner
- Built Environment Researcher → Policy Specialist
Many beneficiaries progress into:
- CETA internships
- Industry learnerships
- Professional council registration
- Permanent employment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I apply without proof of acceptance?
No. Proof of acceptance is mandatory for all applicants.
- Can TVET College students apply?
Yes, as long as the TVET college is public and the qualification falls under the built environment.
- Is NSFAS required?
No. This bursary is separate from NSFAS.
- Can postgraduate students apply?
Yes. Honours, Master’s, and PhD students are eligible, with additional research support for postgraduate studies.
- How will I know if I’m successful?
If you are not contacted within 28 days after closing, consider your application unsuccessful.
CLOSING DATE: 30 JANUARY 2026
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Disclaimers
- Edupstairs is not affiliated with CETA.
- Information is based on official bursary communication.
- Applicants must verify details on the official CETA platform.
- Meeting requirements does not guarantee funding.
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR SCAM/FRAUD ALERT PAGE HERE