The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is once again inviting students to apply for their annual Mayoral bursary programme for the 2025 academic year.
The bursary fund offers financial assistance to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and covers registration fees, tuition, prescribed books, study material, meals, and accommodation for students in the engineering, planning, science, and finance fields of study.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said, “Because the municipality is committed to developing its young people, every financial year the metro sets aside a multi-million rand fund to assist South African youth, permanently residing in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to study at any accredited South African tertiary institution. However, preference is given to students who have been admitted to TVET colleges.”
Ngwenya said that students must have matric with at least a D symbol in English, a C in Maths, Accounting, and Physical Science or NCV Level 4 with Mathematics as the selection criteria is based on academic merit.
“The municipality is committed to advancing Employment Equity, including persons with disabilities, and encourages students with disabilities to make use of this opportunity and apply too,” he said.
Since the inception of the fund in 2008, 113 beneficiaries have graduated. Ngwenya said the fund also provides beneficiaries with an opportunity to participate in experiential learning placements and internships within the Metro without creating an expectation that said beneficiaries would be absorbed as employees within the Metro.
“Currently, there are three graduates that are permanently employed, two temps, and 14 interns within the Metro.” For more information and assistance on applying, interested and qualifying candidates are urged to visit their nearest youth advisory centres, libraries, or download application forms online.
The closing date for applications is 31 October 2024.
