Vhembe District Mayoral Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 24 January 2025
Provider: Vhembe District Municipality
Field of study: Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Auditing, Information Technology
Study level: Undergraduate, TVET / college
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The district publishes its application forms in December and closes applications in late January.

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 24 January 2025 Expect the 2027 forms on the district website in December 2026 with a closing date in late January 2027. Latest update ↓

Vhembe District Municipality in the far north of Limpopo covers the Musina, Makhado, Thulamela and Collins Chabane local municipalities, with its seat in Thohoyandou. The Executive Mayor’s Bursary Fund helps matriculants and current students from poor households in the district to study at accredited universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges.

About the Vhembe District Mayoral Bursary

The bursary funds diplomas and bachelor’s degrees at recognised and accredited institutions, with preference for institutions within the district and the province. Fields of study in the last round were:

Engineering: chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and mining.
Finance, accounting, auditing, economics and business management.
Administration, development studies and youth development.
Agriculture, hydrology, and water and waste management.
Environmental and disaster management.
Information technology, media studies and tourism.
Regional and town planning.

The advert does not specify amounts. In practice the fund contributes to registration and tuition, with the amount depending on the number of successful applicants.

Vhembe Mayoral Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen.
Permanently resident in the Vhembe District.
Completed Matric, or a current student at an accredited tertiary institution.
From a disadvantaged background, with proof of household income.
Studying, or accepted to study, one of the fields above.

How to apply for the Vhembe Mayoral Bursary

Download the application form from the notices section of vhembe.gov.za, or collect it from the Musina, Makhado, Thulamela or Collins Chabane local municipality offices.
Attach certified copies of: your ID; your Matric certificate; your current academic record if you are already studying; your acceptance letter from the institution; your parents’ or guardians’ IDs and proof of income; and proof of residence signed by your traditional leader or SANCO branch.
Submit the application to the Municipal Manager, Vhembe District Municipality, Private Bag X5006, Thohoyandou, 0950, or hand-deliver it to the district offices in Thohoyandou before the closing date.

Vhembe Mayoral Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 24 January 2025. Expect the 2027 round to close in late January 2027.

Contact details

Executive Mayor’s Office: 015 960 2008 or 015 960 2012 (weekdays 07:45 to 16:30)
District switchboard: 015 960 2000
Postal address: Private Bag X5006, Thohoyandou, 0950
Website: www.vhembe.gov.za

Limpopo students should also apply to the provincial departments and the mining companies in the province. See our government bursaries page and the Valterra Platinum community bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the Vhembe mayoral bursary close for 2027? +

The district publishes its forms in December and closes applications in late January. The 2025 round closed on 24 January 2025 and the 2024 round on 25 January 2024. Expect the 2027 forms in December 2026 with a closing date in late January 2027.

2. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens from disadvantaged backgrounds who live in the Vhembe District (Musina, Makhado, Thulamela and Collins Chabane local municipalities), with Matric, who are matriculants or current students at accredited institutions.

3. Which fields are funded? +

Administration and management, agriculture, development studies, economics and business, engineering (chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and mining), environmental and disaster management, finance and accounting, hydrology, IT, media, tourism, town and regional planning, water and waste management, and youth development.

4. How do I apply? +

Download the form from vhembe.gov.za or collect it from the Musina, Makhado, Thulamela or Collins Chabane municipal offices, attach certified documents and submit it to the Municipal Manager, Private Bag X5006, Thohoyandou, 0950, or by hand at the district offices.

5. What documents are needed? +

Certified ID, Matric certificate, current academic record, acceptance letter from the institution, your parents' IDs and proof of their income, and proof of residence from your traditional leader or SANCO branch.

6. Who do I contact? +

The Executive Mayor's Office on 015 960 2008 or 015 960 2012, weekdays 07:45 to 16:30.

Update note (checked September 2026): the district publishes its application forms in December and closes applications in late January. The 2025 round closed on 24 January 2025 and the 2024 round on 25 January 2024. Expect the 2027 forms on the district website in December 2026 with a closing date in late January 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

Paper applications go to:

the district offices in Thohoyandou

About Vhembe District Municipality

Local government (district municipality)

Vhembe District Municipality came into being in 2000 under the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, as part of the transformation of local government. Vhembe District Municipality has its headquarters in Thohoyandou and covers four local municipalities in…

Read the full Vhembe District Municipality profile →