Mondi South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Mondi is a global packaging and paper group whose 24 000 people work across more than 100 production sites in over 30 countries, with key operations in Europe, North America and Africa. Mondi’s roots lie in South Africa, where the group runs a major pulp and paper mill in Richards Bay and extensive timber plantations in KwaZulu-Natal.

Registered name

Mondi South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Type

Private company (packaging, paper and forestry)

Fields funded

BSc Forestry at Stellenbosch University

Website

mondigroup.com

Email

HRRecruiting@mondigroup.co.za

From forest to packaging

Mondi operates across the whole packaging and paper value chain, from managing working forests to making packaging that can be reused, recycled or composted. Based on revenue, more than 80% of Mondi’s products are fibre-based, so wood is Mondi’s main raw material, and Mondi says it maintains zero deforestation in its supply chain.

Mondi’s pulp and paper mills are located in Europe and South Africa and produce containerboard, kraft and printing papers. Mondi says most of its mills generate the majority of their own energy, mainly from renewable fuels. Mondi’s Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sets targets and milestones for its sustainability commitments.

Why Mondi funds foresters

Plantation forestry needs skilled foresters to plan planting, protect trees from pests and fire, manage harvesting and look after soil and water. Mondi’s South African plantations supply its Richards Bay mill, so Mondi invests in forestry graduates who understand local conditions.

The Mondi forestry bursary

Mondi’s forestry bursary funds BSc Forestry students at Stellenbosch University, which runs South Africa’s main university forestry degree. The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks and stationery, with practical placements in Mondi’s plantations. Applicants must be first-year BSc Forestry students with solid first-semester results and a driver’s licence, or be getting one before placement; Mondi prefers previously disadvantaged students.

Past rounds closed on 15 September, but BursariesAfrica found no confirmed 2027 listing when it checked.

The international graduate programme

After qualifying, graduates can look at Mondi’s 18-month International Graduate Programme, which rotates graduates through departments and countries in finance, sales, sustainability or technical roles, with mentoring, coaching and community projects.

How to research Mondi

Check the graduate and internship opportunities on Mondi’s careers site and email Mondi’s South African HR team to ask whether the forestry bursary runs for 2027. Read about MAP2030 so you can discuss sustainable forestry in an interview.

Forestry students should also look at the Sappi Bursary.