BASF South Africa Trust

About the BASF South Africa Trust

The BASF South Africa Trust funds Black South African women who study chemistry, science or engineering. It says that it has supported students since 2018. BASF, the international chemical company, gives the trust its name, and the trust's office stands in Waterfall City, Gauteng.

The trust forms part of BASF's transformation work in South Africa. In a 2025 statement, BASF South Africa announced that it had reached Level 1 B-BBEE status through black women ownership, skills development and supplier empowerment. That statement also said that the trust was supporting more than 60 Black female students at the time.

The trust's stated goal goes beyond one group of students. It also aims to broaden Black economic empowerment through partnerships. So besides its bursaries, it can give funding and grants to recognised institutions of higher learning, as well as to charities and public benefit organisations with similar aims.

How the BASF South Africa Trust supports students

Women remain under-represented in many technical careers, and the trust targets that gap directly. Its awards focus on the fields that a chemical company understands well, and they back students through their studies. You can read about the current round on our BASF South Africa Trust Bursary page.

Students apply through the trust's own online form. The form asks about household income and how you fund your studies at present, including whether you receive NSFAS. It also includes a motivation statement of up to 250 words, so this is your chance to explain your goals in your own voice.

What to know before applying

Do not confuse this trust with BASF's separate external bursary programme. BASF's company programme has its own rules and a broader group of applicants, while the trust serves Black women only. Check which one you are applying for before you fill in any form.

The trust's form also asks you to declare any historic debt and to provide proof if you have one. It also asks you to confirm that you have all your supporting documents before you continue, so gather them first.

Its website does not show closing dates or any contact number. For that reason, watch the application page closely, and confirm any date by email before you rely on it.

The trust names three trustees on its website: Zukiswa Makunga, Kumarasen Govender and Liz Brenner. Shortlisted applicants may have to give more information or attend an interview, so keep your contact details current.