Royal Bafokeng Holdings Bursary 2027

About the Provider

Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) is a unique African community-owned investment holding company that, together with its sole shareholder the Royal Bafokeng Nation Development Trust, is responsible for preserving and growing the financial capital of the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN). The company carries a dual mandate: ensuring the Nation remains financially independent over the long term, and generating sufficient income to satisfy the social and infrastructural needs of the Bafokeng people and those who live on RBN land.

The Royal Bafokeng Nation is one of the wealthiest traditional communities in Africa, with a history of strategic resource management dating back generations. The community's wealth, built primarily through platinum mining royalties and strategic investments, is managed through RBH's diversified investment portfolio spanning mining, infrastructure, financial services, and other sectors.

RBH's investment in education through its bursary programme reflects the community's understanding that long-term prosperity depends on developing skilled professionals who can manage and grow the Nation's assets. By funding Accounting Sciences students specifically, RBH addresses a critical need for qualified financial professionals who understand the community's values and can contribute to its economic governance.

The bursary programme is exclusively available to residents of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, ensuring that the community's investment in education directly benefits its own members. This targeted approach creates a pipeline of qualified Chartered Accountants who can serve the Nation's financial management needs while also building successful careers in the broader economy.

RBH's commitment to developing its community's human capital extends beyond financial support. The company's involvement in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development demonstrates a holistic approach to community upliftment that recognises education as the foundation for sustainable prosperity.

About the Program

The Royal Bafokeng Holdings Bursary Programme provides funding for first-year students from the Royal Bafokeng Nation who wish to pursue Accounting Sciences (Chartered Accountant stream) qualifications at SAICA-recognised public universities in South Africa. This is a community-specific bursary exclusively available to residents of the Royal Bafokeng Nation in the North West province.

The programme targets school leavers entering their first year of university study in 2027, making it an entry-level funding opportunity for Matric students or recent graduates who have secured acceptance at a SAICA-accredited institution. Applicants must be currently unemployed, ensuring the bursary reaches those who are fully committed to pursuing tertiary education.

Academic requirements are specific: applicants need a minimum Level 5 (60-69%) in Mathematics, English, and Accounting in Matric. Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics are not accepted, reflecting the quantitative demands of the Chartered Accountant qualification.

A strict requirement is that applicants must not be receiving any other bursary, student financial aid, or NSFAS funding for 2027. This ensures the RBH bursary reaches students who would otherwise have no funding source.

The selection process includes a verification and vetting process for all submitted documents, with shortlisted candidates required to provide additional documentation including parents' or guardians' ID documents. Results are communicated by 31 August 2026.

Proof of residence within the Royal Bafokeng Nation is required in the form of a Lekwalo la Kgosana (letter from the local chief/headman), which must not be older than 3 months. This traditional verification method confirms the applicant's connection to the Bafokeng community.

Bursary Benefits

• Full bursary funding for Accounting Sciences (CA stream) studies
• Community-backed investment from one of Africa's wealthiest community-owned investment companies
• Career pathway towards becoming a Chartered Accountant (SA)
• Support for the full duration of the undergraduate qualification
• Association with Royal Bafokeng Holdings — a respected investment holding company
• Contribution to community development — graduates bring skills back to the Royal Bafokeng Nation
• No competing funding requirement — dedicated support for students without other financial aid

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must reside within the Royal Bafokeng Nation in the North West province
• You must be under 35 years old
• You must be currently unemployed
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must have achieved a minimum of Level 5 for Mathematics in Matric (Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics are NOT accepted)
• You must have achieved a minimum of Level 5 for English in Matric
• You must have achieved a minimum of Level 5 for Accounting in Matric
• You must intend to study towards an Accounting Sciences (CA – Chartered Accountant stream) qualification
• You must have been accepted at a SAICA-recognised public university in South Africa
• You must be entering your 1st year of study in 2027
• You must NOT be receiving any other bursary, student financial aid, or NSFAS for 2027

Required Documents

• ID document (certified copy, not older than 3 months)
• Grade 11 results and Matric Term 1 to 3 results (certified Matric certificate must be submitted when received)
• Proof of provisional or official acceptance at a SAICA-accredited public South African university
• Proof of residence — Lekwalo la Kgosana (not older than 3 months)
• Brief Curriculum Vitae
• Motivational letter supporting your application

Note: All documents undergo a verification and vetting process. Shortlisted candidates must submit parents' or guardians' ID documents.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you reside within the Royal Bafokeng Nation in the North West province and meet all eligibility requirements.
2. Ensure you have been accepted at a SAICA-recognised public university for an Accounting Sciences (CA stream) qualification.
3. Obtain a Lekwalo la Kgosana (letter from your local chief/headman) as proof of residence — this must not be older than 3 months.
4. Prepare all required documents: certified ID (not older than 3 months), Grade 11 results and Matric Term 1-3 results, proof of university acceptance, Lekwalo la Kgosana, brief CV, and motivational letter.
5. Visit the official RBH Bursary Application portal online.
6. Complete the online application form thoroughly.
7. Upload all supporting documents.
8. Submit your application before the closing date of 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm.
9. When your certified Matric certificate is received, submit it as well.
10. If shortlisted, you will be contacted by 31 August 2026 and may be required to submit parents' or guardians' ID documents.

Tips for Success

• Obtain your Lekwalo la Kgosana early — this letter from your local chief/headman must not be older than 3 months. Plan ahead as traditional authorities may take time to process requests.
• Ensure your ID certification is recent — certified copies must not be older than 3 months.
• Apply to a SAICA-recognised university — only SAICA-accredited institutions are accepted. Verify your university's accreditation before applying.
• Confirm you meet all three subject requirements — Level 5 in Mathematics (not Maths Lit), English, AND Accounting. Missing any one disqualifies you.
• Verify you have no other funding — receiving NSFAS or any other bursary makes you ineligible.
• Write a strong motivational letter explaining your connection to the Bafokeng community and your commitment to the CA qualification.
• Submit your Matric certificate as soon as you receive it, even after the application deadline.
• Be prepared for document verification — all submissions undergo vetting. Ensure everything is authentic and accurate.
• Apply well before 31 July — the deadline is firm at 11:59pm. Don't risk technical issues on the last day.
• Include the correct email reference if contacting RBH: "2027 RBH bursary programme application".

Career Prospects

The Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is one of the most respected and versatile professional designations in South Africa. CAs consistently rank among the highest-paid professionals in the country, with the qualification opening doors across virtually every sector of the economy.

Career paths for CA graduates include:

• Audit and assurance — working at Big Four firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) or mid-tier audit practices
• Corporate finance — mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and deal advisory
• Investment banking — financial modelling, capital markets, and transaction structuring
• Management consulting — strategy, operations, and financial advisory
• Chief Financial Officer — the CA qualification is the most common pathway to CFO positions in South Africa
• Entrepreneurship — CAs have the financial literacy and business acumen to build successful companies
• Public sector — financial management in government departments and state-owned enterprises
• Asset management — portfolio management, research, and investment analysis

For students from the Royal Bafokeng Nation, the CA qualification provides an opportunity to develop world-class financial skills that can be applied both within the community's investment structures and in the broader economy. Royal Bafokeng Holdings itself manages significant investment portfolios, creating potential career opportunities for qualified CAs who understand the community's values and objectives.

The SAICA qualification process involves completing a BCom Accounting or BAcc degree, followed by a postgraduate diploma (CTA/PGDA), three years of articles (training contract), and professional examinations. The entire process typically takes 7-8 years from first year to qualification, but the career rewards are substantial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for this bursary?

Only students who reside within the Royal Bafokeng Nation in the North West province. You must provide a Lekwalo la Kgosana as proof of residence.

What qualification does it fund?

Only Accounting Sciences in the Chartered Accountant (CA) stream at SAICA-recognised public universities.

What Matric marks do I need?

Minimum Level 5 (60-69%) in Mathematics, English, and Accounting. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.

Can I apply if I already have funding?

No. You must not be receiving any other bursary, financial aid, or NSFAS for 2027.

What is a Lekwalo la Kgosana?

A letter from your local chief or headman confirming your residence within the Royal Bafokeng Nation. It must not be older than 3 months.

When will I hear back?

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 31 August 2026. If you don't hear back by then, your application was unsuccessful.

Can second-year students apply?

No. This bursary is exclusively for students entering their 1st year of study in 2027.

What does Royal Bafokeng Holdings do?

RBH is an African community-owned investment holding company responsible for preserving and growing the financial capital of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.

Applications Closing

Applications close on 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm. Ensure your Lekwalo la Kgosana is not older than 3 months at the time of submission.

About the Organization

Recruiting officer Email: graduate@bafokengholdings.com Reference: 2027 RBH bursary programme application