Jakes Gerwel Fellowship: Requirements, Benefits & How to Apply

The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship is a full university scholarship for young South Africans who want to become teachers. The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship is funded by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, and it adds mentoring and leadership development to the funding.

We found no confirmed date for the next intake when we checked on 8 November 2026. Start with the fellowship's online quiz, which tells you at once whether you qualify.

The fellowship offers a full scholarship, which the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation funds. The fellowship's page does not give a rand amount or list each cost, so ask the fellowship what the scholarship includes before you plan your budget.

The programme adds extensive mentoring and leadership development. Fellows meet other future teachers, learn from experienced educators, and build the skills they need to lead in a classroom. For many students, this support is as valuable as the money.

The fellowship expects its members to teach, so read your agreement closely. Ask what happens if your plans change.

Teaching is a demanding career, and the fellowship knows this. It builds its support around mentoring so that fellows are not alone in their first years in a classroom. If you have tutored other learners, led a school society or helped younger pupils with homework, say so, because these experiences show that you already enjoy helping others learn.

The undergraduate degree takes place at the University of Cape Town or the University of Pretoria. After the degree, fellows complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at one of five universities, namely UCT, UP, Wits, UJ or UWC.

This means you cannot choose any university you like. If you want to study somewhere else, look at other bursaries.