Africa Wetu Foundation Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 30 April 2026
Provider: Africa Wetu Foundation
Field of study: Computer Science, Informatics and Information Systems
Study level: Postgraduate, TVET / college
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The foundation runs an autumn cycle, closing in late April, most recently 30 April 2026 at 23:59, with results communicated by 31 May.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 30 April 2026 Expect the next round to close at the end of April 2027. Latest update ↓

The Africa Wetu Foundation is a South African non-profit that funds disadvantaged young people through a short, specific list of programmes: a master’s in computing at two Cape Town universities, and two artisan trades at Northlink College. It pays tuition only, and it deliberately backs both ends of the skills ladder.

About the Africa Wetu Foundation Bursary

MSc in Computer Science or Information Systems at the University of Cape Town or the University of the Western Cape.
NC(V) boilermaker or fitter and turner, phases 1 to 4, at Northlink College.
Covers tuition fees only, paid to the institution. Accommodation, textbooks and living costs are not funded.

Eligibility requirements

South African from a disadvantaged background.
Accepted for, or registered on, one of the funded programmes at the listed institution.
A sound academic record and demonstrated financial need.

How to apply

Check the current call on africawetufoundation.com.
Email your ID, academic records, proof of acceptance or registration, proof of household income and a motivation to info@africawetufoundation.org.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a virtual interview, and results follow by the end of May.

Closing date

30 April 2026 in the most recent round. Expect the end of April 2027 for the next one.

Contact details

Telephone: 087 148 9444
Email: info@africawetufoundation.org

Computing postgraduates should also see the UCT information systems bursary, and artisans the Access Trust TVET bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the Africa Wetu Foundation bursary close for 2027? +

The foundation runs an autumn cycle, closing in late April, most recently 30 April 2026 at 23:59, with results communicated by 31 May. Expect the next round to close at the end of April 2027.

2. What is the Africa Wetu Foundation? +

A South African non-profit that funds disadvantaged young people through tertiary and vocational qualifications, with a narrow set of partner programmes.

3. Which programmes does it fund? +

An MSc in Computer Science or Information Systems at the University of Cape Town or the University of the Western Cape, and the NC(V) boilermaker or fitter and turner programme (phases 1 to 4) at Northlink College. Only students on these programmes at these institutions qualify.

4. What does it cover? +

Tuition fees only, paid to the approved institution. Accommodation, textbooks and living costs are not funded.

5. Who qualifies? +

South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are accepted for, or registered on, one of the funded programmes, with a sound academic record and demonstrated financial need.

6. How do I apply? +

Email your application with your ID, academic records, proof of acceptance or registration, proof of household income and a motivation to info@africawetufoundation.org. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a virtual interview.

Update note (checked September 2026): the foundation runs an autumn cycle, closing in late April, most recently 30 April 2026 at 23:59, with results communicated by 31 May. Expect the next round to close at the end of April 2027.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

info@africawetufoundation.org

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.