Key Facts
- Status
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- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
Eligibility Requirements
- Financially needy student at a South African public university
- Black students are the programme's focus
- Children of Thebe and Thebe Foundation employees are also supported
- Good academic results and commitment to completing your degree
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of your ID
- Your latest academic results
- Proof of registration at your university
- Proof of household income
About Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Fund (Thebe Foundation)
The Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Fund pays for financially needy students at South African universities. The Thebe Foundation, the social investment arm of Thebe Investment Corporation, set up the fund in 2016. It honours Dr Enos Mabuza, who played a key role in founding Thebe together with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Beyers Naudé.
The fund supports 59 students at universities across the country, and the Foundation says that it has invested just over R16 million in deserving students so far. Thebe does not publish an open application form or closing date online, so contact the Foundation to ask how new students are selected.
Funding Details
Thebe does not publish a fixed value for each scholarship. The fund pays towards the cost of university study for its scholars, and its total investment is just over R16 million since 2016.
Beyond money, the Foundation provides support services at every stage of the programme, so that its scholars are supported in their studies and graduate at the end. Thebe's 2024 report found that the programme is sustainable, because it helps students from poor backgrounds enter higher education and thrive long after the first support.
The Foundation also runs other youth programmes, such as enterprise and supplier development with the University of Johannesburg, and literacy and numeracy support in foundation phase schools.
Where You Can Study
The fund supports students at public universities across South Africa. Its earlier focus was Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley and the University of Mpumalanga. If you study at one of these universities, ask its financial aid office whether it works with the Thebe Foundation.
About Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza
About the Thebe Foundation The Thebe Foundation is the corporate social investment arm of Thebe Investment Corporation. It was set up as an independent trust in February 2011. Its work focuses mainly on education, as wel…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
The fund aims to support financially needy students at higher education institutions. In its 2024 report to communities, Thebe said that it had expanded the programme to support the success of black students.
The programme also supports the children of Thebe and Thebe Foundation employees. An earlier Thebe sustainability report described a focus on historically disadvantaged and financially needy students at Sol Plaatje University and the University of Mpumalanga. Thebe now says that it supports students at various universities, so the list may have grown.
The fund also wants to develop graduates who are confident and proud of their African identity, who are academically and socially capable, and who have the skills to become leading professionals in their fields.
Application Procedure
Thebe does not run a public online application. Contact the Thebe Foundation through the Thebe Investment Corporation website to ask how it selects new scholars, and ask your university's financial aid office whether it works with the fund. Be wary of anyone who asks for money to apply on Thebe's behalf.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who started the Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship Fund?
The Thebe Foundation set it up in 2016 in honour of Dr Enos Mabuza.
How many students does the fund support?
Thebe says it supports 59 students at universities across the country.
Can I apply online?
Thebe does not publish an online form. Contact the Foundation to ask how to apply.
