City of Cape Town’s bursary applications open for 2026

The City of Cape Town’s training and development department is offering financial support to students who reside within Cape Town and are registered at accredited academic institutions, including TVET Colleges within the borders of South Africa. 

The bursaries cover registration, tuition, and examination fees as well as capped allowances for study aid, transport, and meals. The closing date is Friday, October 10.

The City’s mayoral committee member for corporate services, Theresa Uys, said the bursary applications will be assessed based on academic merit and the City’s scarce skills list of needs.

“The City is always on the lookout for new talent, and I am pleased to extend an invitation to all Cape Town-based candidates who are currently studying at a tertiary institution or who have been accepted at one.

“The bursaries come with a year-for-a-year service obligation period, which will ensure graduates also gain hands-on work experience once they have graduated,” she said.

Candidates are invited to download the application form here, and the form is also available in the walk-in centre, located in Bellville, Brackenfell, Parow, Strand, Plumstead, and the Cape Town Civic Centre. Alternatively, one can obtain an application form from any City library.  

The bursaries are offered to anyone who is not an employee of the City of Cape Town and who is not in possession of any other form of financial assistance, such as NSFAS.

Applications that are received will not be acknowledged in writing, and copies of supporting documents will not be returned, the City said. Should you not receive a response from the City by Thursday, January 15, 2026, your application has been unsuccessful.

For more information, contact the HR Service Desk on 0860 103 089/ 021 400 3434 or external.bursaries2026@capetown.gov.za.

Completed forms and supporting documentation must be submitted electronically or at any of the Walk-in Centres by Friday, October 10, 2025.