Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen
- Verifiable member of a Land Claimant Community linked to iSimangaliso, OR resident of a designated area within uMkhanyakude District Municipality or Mfolozi Local Municipality (including Sokhulu)
- Entering first year of university study
- NSFAS funding confirmed or applied for
- Accepted to study Conservation, Tourism, or a related field (including Social Sciences, Development Studies, Finance, IT, HR, Engineering, Infrastructure or Supply Chain Management) at one of the listed universities
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of South African ID document
- Proof of NSFAS application or award
- University acceptance or registration confirmation
- Proof of residence
- Land Claimant Community verification letter (if applicable)
- Confirmation of residency from a local leader or councillor (if applicable)
About Isimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, which manages South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site on KwaZulu-Natal's Elephant Coast, has run an annual bursary programme since 2010 for students from communities bordering the park, having supported around 140 students to date.
The programme targets first-year students from local land claimant communities and designated municipal areas who have confirmed or applied for NSFAS funding, studying towards qualifications in conservation, tourism or related fields. It tops up NSFAS funding rather than replacing it.
Funding Details
Top-up support for NSFAS-funded students, which may include laptops, data, travel costs and meals, plus access to psycho-social support and skills-development workshops during academic breaks. This is not a full, standalone bursary - it supplements NSFAS funding rather than replacing it.
Where You Can Study
University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Zululand, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and Durban University of Technology.
About iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, on KwaZulu-Natal's Elephant Coast, was declared South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, spanning roughly 332,000 hectares of lake systems, wetlands, coastal dunes, coral reefs …
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
Open to South African citizens who are verifiable members of a Land Claimant Community linked to the park, or who reside in specified areas of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality or Mfolozi Local Municipality (including Sokhulu), entering first year of university study, with confirmed or applied-for NSFAS funding, and demonstrating a passion for nature and conservation.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the iSimangaliso bursary?
South African citizens from Land Claimant Communities linked to the park, or residents of designated areas of the uMkhanyakude or Mfolozi municipalities, entering first year of university study.
Do I need NSFAS funding to qualify?
Yes - this bursary tops up NSFAS funding rather than replacing it, so your NSFAS application or award needs to be confirmed.
Which universities does it cover?
University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Zululand, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and Durban University of Technology.
What does the bursary pay for?
It can cover items such as laptops, data, travel and meals, alongside psycho-social support and skills workshops - amounts vary depending on individual NSFAS coverage gaps.
When do applications open?
Applications have typically opened early in the year, with a closing date in mid-February (16 February for the most recent intake). Dates for the next intake had not yet been published at the time of writing, so check iSimangaliso's website for the next call.
