Key facts
- Status
- Applications open Closes 31 October 2026
- Provider
- Buffalo City Municipality
- Field of study
- Financial Accounting, Architecture, Land Surveying, Quantity Surveying
- Study level
- TVET / college
- Academic year
- 2026
- Last checked
- September 2026
The fund has closed on 31 October in recent years, most recently on 31 October 2025 for the 2026 academic year.
VerifiedBuffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, which covers East London, Mdantsane, Qonce (King William’s Town) and Bhisho in the Eastern Cape, funds residents from poor households through its Mayoral Bursary Fund. The fund targets scarce skills the metro needs, from engineering and town planning to social work and IT, and bursars sign an agreement to contribute their skills back to the community.
About the Buffalo City Mayoral Bursary Fund
- Priority fields: civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering; town and regional planning; architecture; environmental management; community development and social work; information technology and computer science; finance, accounting and economics; human resources; agriculture; law and public administration; and other scarce skills.
- Covers tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation where applicable and a meals and living allowance, depending on available funds and the applicant’s need.
- Bursars sign an agreement with the municipality and may be asked to contribute their skills to the community after graduating.
Buffalo City Bursary eligibility requirements
- South African citizen permanently resident in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
- In Matric, or studying at a recognised public university, university of technology or TVET college.
- Strong recent academic results.
- From a financially disadvantaged household, with proof of income.
How to apply for the Buffalo City Bursary
- Download the application form from buffalocity.gov.za or collect it from the Special Programmes Unit when the advert appears.
- Attach a certified ID, certified academic results, proof of residence in Buffalo City, proof of household income (payslips or an unemployment affidavit) and a motivation letter.
- Hand-deliver the application to the Special Programmes Unit, 7th floor, Trust Centre Building, East London, before the closing date.
Buffalo City Bursary closing date
The last confirmed closing date was 31 October 2025. Expect 31 October 2026 for 2027.
Contact details
- Special Programmes Unit: Nandi Zikalala, 043 705 1013
- Address: 7th floor, Trust Centre Building, Oxford Street, East London
- Website: www.buffalocity.gov.za
East London students should also apply to the East London IDZ bursary and see our Eastern Cape government bursaries page.
FAQs
1. When does the Buffalo City bursary close for 2027? +
The Mayoral Bursary Fund has closed on 31 October in recent years, most recently on 31 October 2025 for 2026. Expect the 2027 advert on buffalocity.gov.za in September or October 2026 with a closing date of 31 October 2026.
2. Which areas does it cover? +
Residents of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape: East London, Mdantsane, King William's Town (Qonce), Bhisho, Zwelitsha and surrounding areas.
3. Which fields? +
Priority for civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering, town planning, architecture, environmental management, community development and social work, IT and computer science, finance, accounting and economics, human resources, agriculture, law and public administration.
4. What does it cover? +
Tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation where applicable and a meals and living allowance, depending on funds and the applicant's need.
5. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens permanently resident in Buffalo City, in Matric or studying at a public higher education institution, with strong recent results, from financially disadvantaged households, willing to sign an agreement with the municipality.
6. How do I apply? +
Hand-deliver the completed form with a certified ID, certified results, proof of residence, proof of household income and a motivation letter to the Special Programmes Unit, 7th floor, Trust Centre Building, East London.
Update note (checked September 2026): the fund has closed on 31 October in recent years, most recently on 31 October 2025 for the 2026 academic year. The 2027 advert had not been published when we checked. Expect it on the municipal website and at municipal offices in September or October 2026, closing on 31 October 2026. The details below are from the 2026 advert.
Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.
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