Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) Bursary Programme 2026 Now Open

The Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) Bursary Programme 2026 is officially inviting qualifying students to apply for financial support for the 2026 academic year. And what makes this bursary stand out is that it’s not only aligned to high-demand fields (engineering, chemistry, biotech), but it also supports careers that directly impact South Africa’s future — water security, environmental management, infrastructure, and sustainable resource recovery.

Quick Overview

Bursary Provider: Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT)
Academic Year Funded: 2026
Closing Date: 20 February 2026
Where You Must Study: Public University in Gauteng
Fields Funded: Biotechnology, Engineering, Chemistry
What the Bursary Covers: Tuition, books, accommodation, and a monthly stipend
Application Method: Email application (no form)
Email Address: recruitment@erwat.co.za
Email Subject Line: Ref: Bursary 2026
Shortlisting Feedback Date: By 29 May 2026

ERWAT Bursary Programme 2026: Fields Covered

ERWAT will award bursaries to students studying degree qualifications within the following fields (at Gauteng-based institutions):

Biotechnology (BSc)
Chemical Engineering (BSc / BEng)
Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry (BSc)
Civil Engineering (BSc / BEng)
Electrical Engineering (BSc / BEng)
Mechanical Engineering (BSc / BEng)

These fields connect directly to real work done in water care and wastewater management, including laboratory analysis, infrastructure maintenance, environmental compliance, plant operations, engineering design, and sustainable systems.

What the ERWAT Bursary Covers (Funding Benefits)

One of the best things about this bursary is that it provides multiple forms of support, not only tuition.

The bursary covers:

Tuition fees
Books
Accommodation
Monthly stipend

That stipend alone can make a huge difference because it helps with daily costs like transport, meals, printing, data, and basic personal needs.

This is the type of bursary support that reduces stress and allows you to actually focus on studying and passing.

ERWAT Bursary Eligibility Requirements (Must Meet All)

Before you apply, make sure you qualify — because ERWAT is clear that missing requirements can lead to automatic disqualification.

You must meet these minimum entry criteria:

You must be a South African citizen
You must be 18 to 35 years old
You must have completed Matric
You must be studying towards a degree qualification in one of the funded fields
You must have completed your 1st year of study in 2025
You must be registered to study at a public University in Gauteng
You must have excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
You must pay close attention to detail
You must NOT currently be receiving any other bursary funding

Preference Criteria (Very Important)

ERWAT also states that preference will be given to:

Students with a minimum average of 65%
Students residing within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan area

So even if you qualify, these preference points may increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

How to Apply

This is where many students make small mistakes that cost them the opportunity, so follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Prepare your email application

Send your application via email to: recruitment@erwat.co.za

Step 2: Use the correct email subject line

Your email subject must include: Ref: Bursary 2026

ERWAT clearly states that applications may only be accepted if the correct reference is used.

Step 3: Attach all required documents

There is no application form, which makes this bursary easier to apply for — but only if you submit the correct documents.

Required Documents for ERWAT Bursary 2026

You must submit clear copies of the following documents:

ID document (certified copy)
Matric certificate (certified copy)
Proof of University registration (must be on the institution’s letterhead)
Full academic record (must be on the institution’s letterhead)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Proof of address

Edupstairs Tip: Don’t rush your document quality

Make sure your scanned documents are:

Easy to read
Not cut off
Not blurry
Saved as PDF if possible
Correctly named (example: ID-Sfiso-Mhlongo.pdf)

A bursary office may receive hundreds of applications — your job is to make yours simple and professional to review.

Closing Date: 20 February 2026

Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Do not wait for the last minute — email systems fail, documents go missing, and data runs out at the worst time.

Apply early so you have time to fix mistakes if needed.

Contact Details for ERWAT Bursary Queries

If you have any questions about the bursary programme, contact ERWAT directly:

Contact People: Mr Thembhani Chabalala / Lerato Letsaba
Telephone: 011 929 7000

When calling, be professional and ready to confirm your full name, field of study, and what you need clarity on.

How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare

At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.

Recommended Tools:

Edupstairs Advice (How to Increase Your Chances of Being Selected)

Here’s what we recommend if you want to stand out:

1) Treat your email like a job application

Your email must be short, professional, and clear.

Include:

Full name and surname
University name
Qualification and year of study
Field funded by ERWAT
Your current average (if strong)
Your location (especially if you are in Ekurhuleni)

2) Make your CV bursary-ready

Even a simple CV should include:

Education details (Matric + current degree)
Academic highlights (awards, strong modules)
Any leadership or volunteering
Short skills section (MS Office, report writing, teamwork)

3) Double-check your subject line

Many students get disqualified here.

Use exactly:

Ref: Bursary 2026

4) Apply early (before February)

Early applications reduce stress and show seriousness.

5) If you’re from Ekurhuleni, say it clearly

Preference is given to students residing in Ekurhuleni Metro.
So mention it clearly and include proof of address.

Career Growth Path After This Bursary (What You Can Become)

If you’re selected for the ERWAT bursary, you’re building a path into one of South Africa’s most important and stable career ecosystems: water and engineering infrastructure.

Here are realistic career directions depending on your field:

1) Biotechnology / Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

You could grow into roles such as:

Water quality analyst
Laboratory technician / lab technologist
Environmental monitoring specialist
Process quality controller
Scientific officer (water and wastewater testing)

2) Civil Engineering

Possible career directions include:

Water infrastructure engineer
Municipal services engineer
Wastewater plant infrastructure planner
Drainage and sanitation project engineer
Construction and operations engineer

3) Electrical Engineering

You may progress toward:

Plant electrical maintenance engineer
Instrumentation and control specialist
Power systems technician
Automation systems engineer

4) Mechanical Engineering

Your pathway may lead to roles such as:

Mechanical maintenance engineer
Plant operations specialist
Pumping systems engineer
Asset management engineer
Industrial reliability engineer

And in the long run, these fields can take you into senior roles like:

Engineering manager
Operations manager
Technical specialist
Project leader
Consultant (environmental, infrastructure, resource recovery)

This is a serious career ladder — and it starts with funding your qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is there an application form to fill in?

No. ERWAT confirms there is no bursary application form. You apply by emailing your documents.

2) Can I apply if I am studying outside Gauteng?

No. You must be registered at a public University within Gauteng province.

3) Can I apply if I am still in Matric or first year in 2026?

No. ERWAT requires you to have completed your 1st year of study in 2025.

4) What average do I need to apply?

There is no strict minimum stated for eligibility, but preference is given to students with 65% and above.

5) Can I apply if I already have another bursary?

No. You must not be currently receiving any other bursary funding.

6) Will ERWAT pay accommodation and a stipend?

Yes. The bursary covers accommodation and includes a monthly stipend, along with tuition and books.

7) When will I know if I’m shortlisted?

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 29 May 2026.

8) What happens if I don’t hear back?

If you don’t receive feedback by 29 May 2026, you should regard your application as unsuccessful.

CLOSING DATE: 20 FEBRUARY 2026

You can also:

Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)

No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.

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Disclaimers

Edupstairs is sharing this opportunity for informational purposes only.
ERWAT reserves the right to shortlist candidates and make final selections.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
Always submit correct documents and use the correct subject line to avoid disqualification.
Verify details directly with ERWAT using the official contact information provided above.

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. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY

Edupstairs TrustScore™

100 /100

Verified / Low Risk This is an evidence-based risk assessment to help applicants verify opportunities.

OrganisationEkurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT)

SourceOfficial website/career portal

Open source link

Apply viaEmail

ReferenceERWAT_Bursary2026

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