Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme 2027: Funding for South African Students

South African students who have strong academic results but may struggle to afford university studies should consider the Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme for 2027.

The bursary programme forms part of the Motsepe Foundation’s commitment to education and supporting young South Africans from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. It targets academically deserving students pursuing studies across a broad range of disciplines, including Agriculture, Commerce, Computer Science and IT, Engineering, Humanities, Media and Arts.

Check if you Qualify for this Bursary Before you Apply

For prospective university students, one of the most important things to understand is that bursary applications are not simply about obtaining good marks. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need, submit the required supporting documentation and ensure that their application is complete.

This article breaks down the official eligibility requirements, fields of study, supporting documents and application process, while providing practical Edupstairs guidance to help applicants prepare a stronger and more complete submission.

Quick Overview

Bursary: Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
Country: South Africa
Target group: Academically deserving South African students with financial need
Minimum Matric average: 70%, excluding Life Orientation
Study level: Tertiary education
Funding organisation: Motsepe Foundation
Fields: Agriculture, Commerce, Computer Science and IT, Engineering, Humanities, Media and Arts, among other specified disciplines
Citizenship: South African citizenship required
Financial need: Required
Application method: Complete the Motsepe Foundation bursary application form and submit the required supporting documents
Application email: bursaries@motsepefoundation.org
2027 closing date: Applicants should confirm the official application form and closing date published by the Motsepe Foundation before submitting.

About the Motsepe Foundation

The Motsepe Foundation was established in 1999 by Patrice Motsepe and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe with a mission centred on improving the lives of individuals and communities in South Africa.

Its work is influenced by the African philosophy of ubuntu, which emphasises humanity, generosity, compassion and responsibility towards others.

Education forms an important part of the Foundation’s broader social-development activities. The Foundation has supported students from financially disadvantaged families through bursaries while also participating in initiatives relating to areas such as environmental conservation, health and community development.

According to the information supplied for this bursary opportunity, the Foundation has awarded more than 1,800 bursaries during the past five years to students from disadvantaged families across South Africa.

For students, this means the bursary should be viewed as part of a broader educational-development initiative rather than simply another university funding opportunity.

About the Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme

The Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme is intended to help academically capable students who face financial barriers to pursuing tertiary education.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate both academic achievement and financial need.

This distinction is important.

A learner obtaining excellent Matric results may meet the academic component but still needs to provide the financial documentation required by the bursary programme. Similarly, financial hardship alone does not replace the academic requirements.

Students should therefore prepare both parts of their application carefully.

Fields of Study for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary

The bursary supports studies across several disciplines.

The fields supplied for the 2027 opportunity include:

Agriculture
Commerce
Computer Science and Information Technology
Engineering
Humanities
Media and Arts

Information provided about the programme also refers to bursary support across disciplines related to:

Arts
Agriculture
Business Studies
Engineering
Mathematics
Information Technology
Science
Medical Studies

Applicants should check the current 2027 application form to confirm whether their exact qualification falls within the approved fields.

This is particularly important if your qualification crosses disciplines. For example, programmes involving data science, environmental science, agricultural technology or digital media may not always fit neatly into a single category.

Do not assume that a related qualification automatically qualifies. Use the programme listed on your university documentation and compare it with the fields specified by the Foundation.

Official Eligibility Requirements

According to the bursary information provided, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Be a South African citizen.
Demonstrate financial need.
Have achieved a minimum average of 70% in Matric, excluding Life Orientation.
Be studying or intending to study within one of the specified fields.
Demonstrate strong academic performance.

Meeting the minimum criteria does not necessarily mean that an applicant will automatically receive funding.

Bursary programmes can receive significantly more qualifying applications than the number of students they are able to fund. Applicants should therefore treat the minimum requirements as the starting point rather than a guarantee of selection.

What Does the 70% Matric Requirement Mean?

The information supplied states that applicants should have achieved an average of at least 70% in Matric, excluding Life Orientation.

Applicants should calculate their results carefully rather than assuming that a strong mark in Life Orientation will increase their qualifying average.

Current Grade 12 learners should also ensure that they provide the academic results requested on the application form.

If you are already studying at university, your tertiary academic record may also form an important part of the assessment.

Financial Need Is an Important Part of the Application

Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

This is why documentation relating to the income of parents or guardians is required.

Depending on the circumstances of the household, proof may include documents such as:

Recent payslips
Employment letters
SASSA grant documentation
Affidavits relating to informal or irregular income
Death certificates where a parent or guardian is deceased
Other evidence requested on the official application form

Applicants should follow the exact documentary requirements stated on the current application form.

Edupstairs Application Guidance

Do not wait until the final day to start collecting household financial documents.

Some documents may require certification, affidavits or assistance from parents and guardians. Starting early gives you time to resolve missing documentation without rushing your submission.

Documents Required for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary

Applicants should prepare the supporting documents applicable to their circumstances.

These include:

Certified copy of the applicant’s South African ID document
Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents
Certified copy of Matric mid-year results if currently in Grade 12
Certified copy of the Matric certificate if Matric has already been completed
University acceptance letter
Certified full academic record if currently studying at a tertiary institution
Parents’ or guardians’ proof of income
Relevant supporting documentation where household circumstances differ, as specified on the application form

The official application form should always be treated as the final authority regarding documentation.

If the form requests something that is not included in a summary of the bursary online, follow the application form.

How to Apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027

Applicants should begin by obtaining the current Motsepe Foundation bursary application form from the Foundation’s official website.

Complete every relevant section carefully and provide accurate information.

Before submitting, compile the supporting documents required for your circumstances.

Applications and supporting documents are indicated as being submitted by email to: bursaries@motsepefoundation.org

Also Check: What to Write in an Email When Sending Your CV

Applicants should verify the submission instructions contained in the 2027 application form before sending their application, as bursary processes and submission channels can change between funding cycles.

Before You Send Your Application

A common bursary application mistake is focusing almost entirely on the application form while treating supporting documents as an afterthought.

Your application should be checked as one complete package.

Before submitting, confirm that:

Your personal details are correct.
Your ID number is correct.
Your email address and cellphone number are active.
All compulsory sections of the form have been completed.
Your academic results are attached.
Your university documentation is attached where required.
Household income documents are attached.
Required copies have been certified where applicable.
Your documents are readable.
You have followed the submission instructions on the current application form.

Keep a complete copy of everything you submit.

University Acceptance Is Different From Bursary Approval

Applicants should understand that being accepted by a university does not automatically mean that the Motsepe Foundation will award them a bursary.

These are separate processes.

A university decides whether you meet its admission requirements.

The bursary provider decides whether you meet its funding requirements and whether you are selected for financial support.

This means prospective students should continue applying for university admission and other funding opportunities while waiting for bursary outcomes.

Do not abandon NSFAS or other legitimate bursary applications simply because you have applied to the Motsepe Foundation.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Strong candidates can weaken their applications through avoidable administrative errors.

Some common problems include:

Submitting an incomplete application form
Forgetting proof of household income
Providing unclear photographs or scans of documents
Forgetting required certification
Using outdated contact information
Submitting academic results without all required pages
Assuming university admission equals bursary approval
Applying for a field that is not covered without checking
Waiting until the closing date to collect documents
Failing to follow the instructions on the current application form

Applicants should also be cautious about sending documents to unofficial addresses circulating on social media.

Always compare application instructions with information published by the Motsepe Foundation.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

Edupstairs Advice

If you are currently in Grade 12 and believe you qualify, start preparing your bursary documents before your final Matric results are released.

Create a dedicated folder containing your:

ID copy
Parent or guardian documents
Academic results
Proof of household income
University applications
University acceptance letters when received
Bursary application forms
Proof of submitted applications

This makes it considerably easier to apply for several bursaries.

Students should rarely depend on a single funding application. Even with excellent marks, bursary selection can be competitive.

Apply for every legitimate funding opportunity for which you qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027?

Applicants must be South African citizens and should meet the programme’s academic, financial-need and field-of-study requirements.

What Matric average do I need?

The supplied bursary information indicates a minimum average of 70% in Matric, excluding Life Orientation.

Can Grade 12 learners apply?

The documentation requirements specifically make provision for applicants currently completing Matric by requesting Matric mid-year results. Applicants should nevertheless check the current 2027 form for the applicable application cycle and requirements.

Can current university students apply?

The supplied requirements include a full academic record for applicants who are already studying at a tertiary institution. Check the current application form for any additional requirements applying to continuing students.

Which courses does the bursary fund?

Fields listed include Agriculture, Commerce, Computer Science and IT, Engineering, Humanities, Media and Arts. Programme information also refers to disciplines including Business Studies, Mathematics, Science and Medical Studies. Applicants should confirm their specific qualification against the current application form.

Do I need to demonstrate financial need?

Yes. Financial need forms part of the eligibility requirements, and applicants are required to provide relevant household income documentation.

Do I need a university acceptance letter?

A university acceptance letter is included among the supporting documents specified for the application. Follow the instructions on the current application form regarding when and how it must be submitted.

Where do I submit the application?

The application information provided indicates submission via bursaries@motsepefoundation.org. Applicants should confirm this against the current 2027 application form before submitting.

Does meeting the requirements guarantee a bursary?

No. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements means you may qualify to apply. It does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

Should I still apply for NSFAS?

Where you are eligible, it is sensible to pursue multiple legitimate funding options rather than relying on one bursary application. Applicants must ensure that they comply with any rules regarding overlapping funding if they later receive more than one funding offer.

What happens if my application is incomplete?

The information supplied warns that incomplete submissions may not be considered. Applicants should therefore carefully check the application form and attachments before submission.

What if my qualification is not clearly listed?

Do not guess. Check the official application form or contact the Motsepe Foundation through its official channels to establish whether your specific programme is eligible.

Final Advice for Applicants

The Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme for 2027 could provide an important funding opportunity for academically strong South African students who face financial barriers to tertiary education.

The key is preparation.

If you meet the 70% academic threshold and financial-need requirements, begin collecting your documentation early. Make sure your university applications are progressing, keep copies of your results and prepare household income documentation.

Most importantly, do not rely on only one bursary.

Continue searching and applying for suitable university funding opportunities until you have confirmed funding for your studies.

You can also:

Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)

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

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Disclaimer

This article is an independent educational explainer based on information supplied about the Motsepe Foundation Bursary Programme. Bursary requirements, deadlines, funding conditions, eligible qualifications and submission procedures may change.

Applicants should verify the latest 2027 application form, closing date and application instructions directly with the Motsepe Foundation before submitting personal documents.

Edupstairs does not award this bursary and cannot guarantee selection or funding.

Editorial Integrity

Edupstairs independently explains education, employment, learnership, internship and bursary opportunities to help South African applicants understand application requirements.

We distinguish between official requirements and Edupstairs application guidance. Where information such as the 2027 closing date or detailed funding package has not been specified in the information available for this article, we do not invent it.

Applicants should always use the official application documentation as the final source when applying.

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