Mmabana Foundation Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 27 July 2023
Provider: Mmabana Foundation
Field of study: Performing Arts
Study level: Postgraduate, Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The foundation advertises its bursary in the first half of the academic year for study in that same year.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

No open round · the last round we could find closed on 27 July 2023 Latest update ↓

The Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation is a public entity of the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation. Established in 2000, it runs community arts and sports centres in Mahikeng, Taung, Lehurutshe, Rustenburg and Orkney, and funds North West students to study the performing and visual arts.

About the Mmabana Foundation Bursary

The bursary funds undergraduate and postgraduate study in the performing and visual arts at accredited South African institutions and covers:

Tuition fees.
Educational material.
Accommodation, where required.

Transport and meals are not covered.

Mmabana Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen living in the North West province.
Accepted at an accredited South African institution for a performing or visual arts qualification.
Financial need, shown by an affidavit, a motivation letter and three months of payslips for the applicant, parent or guardian.
Passing results if already studying.

How to apply for the Mmabana Bursary

Download the prescribed form from mmabana.org.za/bursaries or collect it from a Mmabana centre when the call opens.
Attach a certified ID not older than six months, proof of acceptance from the institution, your academic transcripts if you are not a first-year, proof of residence, the institution’s fee structure and banking details, and proof of income.
Submit the application to a Mmabana centre in Mahikeng, Taung, Lehurutshe, Rustenburg or Orkney, or by email to the address on the advert, before the closing date. Incomplete applications are not considered.

Mmabana Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 27 July 2023. Expect the 2027 round to close between June and July 2027.

Contact details

Ms Pumla Mpahlwa: 066 421 2796, Pumla@mmabana.org.za
General: info@mmabana.org.za
Website: www.mmabana.org.za

Arts students should also apply to the National Arts Council bursary and see our arts bursaries section.

FAQs

1. When does the Mmabana bursary close for 2027? +

The foundation advertises in the first half of the academic year for that year's studies: the 2022 round closed on 17 June 2022 and the 2023 round on 27 July 2023. Expect the 2027 call between May and July 2027 on mmabana.org.za and at the Mmabana centres.

2. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens living in the North West province who are accepted at an accredited South African institution for undergraduate or postgraduate study in the performing or visual arts, and who can show financial need.

3. Which fields are funded? +

Performing arts (music, dance, drama) and visual arts, including design, at universities, universities of technology and accredited colleges.

4. What does it cover? +

Tuition fees, educational material and accommodation where required. Transport and meals are not covered.

5. How do I apply? +

Complete the prescribed form and submit it with certified documents to a Mmabana centre in Mahikeng, Taung, Lehurutshe, Rustenburg or Orkney, or by email to the address on the advert.

6. What is the Mmabana Foundation? +

The Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation, a public entity of the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation established in 2000, which runs arts and sports centres across the province.

Update note (checked September 2026): the foundation advertises its bursary in the first half of the academic year for study in that same year. The 2022 round ran from 30 May to 17 June 2022 and the 2023 round closed on 27 July 2023. The 2027 call is therefore expected between May and July 2027. The details below are from the last published advert.

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

Visit the provider’s website

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.