Vulamathuba Empumelelo

About Vulamathuba Empumelelo

Vulamathuba Empumelelo is the social development arm of Communicare, a Cape Town social enterprise best known for affordable rental housing. It has been a registered non-profit organisation since 2009. Its work centres on helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds become more self-reliant.

The organisation runs several programmes. These include economic mobility support, a community learning centre, a matric programme for adults, a job readiness course and skills training such as a Social Auxiliary Work learnership. It also runs community gardens for food security. Education funding fits naturally with this work, because stable housing and better qualifications both improve a family's future.

How the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund supports students

The Bursary Fund helps economically disadvantaged students who want to study towards scarce or critical skills. These are qualifications that the government has identified as being in short supply. Tenants of Communicare and other residents of the Cape Metro region can apply.

Recent calls described partial support. The fund contributes towards registration fees, tuition (up to R40,000) and prescribed materials (up to R5,000), plus examination fees where they apply. Students can use the money at accredited institutions, including TVET colleges. Priority has gone to those accepted at public institutions in the Western Cape.

What to know before applying

Eligibility is tight. Recent calls asked applicants to live in the Cape Metro region and to be between 19 and 50 years old. The household's combined gross income could not exceed R400,000. Applicants also had to be studying, or planning to study, a scarce-skills qualification.

There is a real obligation attached. Recipients are expected to do community service during their studies. After graduating, they should work back a portion of the bursary within the Communicare group of companies or another organisation that Communicare names. Make sure you understand this promise before you accept the award, as it affects where you work after qualifying.

Because the fund is partial, you may need to cover the remaining costs from other sources, such as NSFAS or family contributions. Plan your budget accordingly. In addition, rules, income limits and closing dates are reviewed regularly, so they may differ from the figures above.

Visit the official Vulamathuba website for the current application window and the documents you must provide. Gather proof of residence, proof of household income, your ID and your acceptance letter early.

If you live in a Communicare rental unit, ask the community team about other support that may suit you, such as the job readiness course or the learning centre. These programmes can help you prepare for study and for work, whether or not you receive a bursary.