Abey Mokgwatsane ACA Bursary 2027: How to Apply

The Abey Mokgwatsane bursary, formally the Nnete Modise Bursary, was created by advertising executive Abey Mokgwatsane in memory of his grandmother and is administered by the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA). It funds a black woman from outside South Africa’s big cities to complete a marketing degree at the AAA School of Advertising, the industry’s own college in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

About the Abey Mokgwatsane ACA Bursary

  • One bursary for a marketing degree at the AAA School of Advertising, Johannesburg or Cape Town campus.
  • Covers full tuition for the entire degree and accommodation.
  • Administered by the ACA, the professional body for South Africa’s advertising and communication agencies.

Eligibility requirements

  • A black woman, as the bursary is aimed at transformation in the advertising industry.
  • Living outside South Africa’s main commercial centres.
  • Unable to afford tertiary study.
  • Fluent in English, the AAA’s medium of instruction, and intending to study marketing at the AAA School of Advertising.

How to apply

  1. Email the ACA at melanie@acasa.co.za to confirm whether a 2027 round is open.
  2. If it is, send your Matric preliminary results, a personal motivation letter describing your economic circumstances, a motivation letter of about 500 words from a teacher and proof of residence outside the main centres, all in English, with the subject line “Abey Mokgwatsane Bursary” and your full name.
  3. Apply for admission to the AAA School of Advertising separately.

Closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 13 November 2020. No 2027 date has been published.

Contact details

Creative and marketing students should also see the Fedisa bursary, the National Arts Council bursary and our commerce bursaries list.

FAQs

1. Is the Abey Mokgwatsane bursary open for 2027? +
The only widely published round closed on 13 November 2020, and no new call had been announced when we checked. Email the Association for Communication and Advertising to ask whether it will be offered for 2027, and apply to the AAA School of Advertising's own bursaries as well.
2. What is the bursary? +
The Nnete Modise Bursary, funded by advertising executive Abey Mokgwatsane in memory of his grandmother and administered by the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA), for one student to complete a marketing degree at the AAA School of Advertising in Johannesburg or Cape Town.
3. What does it cover? +
Full tuition for the whole degree plus accommodation.
4. Who qualifies? +
Black women from outside South Africa's main commercial centres who cannot afford tertiary study, are fluent in English and intend to study marketing at the AAA School of Advertising.
5. How do you apply? +
By email to the ACA with your Matric preliminary results, a personal motivation letter describing your economic circumstances, a 500-word motivation from a teacher and proof of residence outside the main centres.
6. What are the alternatives? +
The AAA School of Advertising's own bursaries, the Fedisa and Design Academy of Fashion bursaries, and the National Arts Council.
Update note (checked September 2026): the only widely published round closed on 13 November 2020, and no new call had been announced when we checked. Email the ACA to ask whether the bursary will be offered for 2027, and apply to the AAA School of Advertising’s own bursaries in the meantime. The details below are from the last published call.

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