The Patrick Nndwamato Education Foundation, known as the PN Foundation, started in 2019 to fight poverty and promote economic development by investing in young people from under-privileged communities. Its bursary has one clear rule that sets it apart from most funders: the PN Foundation pays only for artisan courses at colleges and TVET institutions, never for university study.
The 2026 round closed at the end of June
The PN Foundation’s latest call closed on 29 June 2026. The foundation told applicants that anyone it had not contacted by 29 July 2026 should treat the application as unsuccessful. It has not announced the next round yet. The bursary application page on the PN Foundation’s website carries the online form and the closing date, so check it for a new date before you apply.
Artisan training only, and only once you have applied for a place
The PN Foundation states its conditions bluntly on the form page:
- You must already have matriculated.
- You must have applied to a college or TVET institution. University applicants are excluded.
- You must intend to follow an artisan course; the foundation considers no other kind of qualification.
- The form is for new bursars. Current PN Foundation bursars cannot use it.
The foundation adds that its bursaries are meant for students who have registered and been accepted at their chosen institution, so sort out your TVET application first. The PN Foundation does not list specific trades on its bursary page; if you are unsure whether your course counts as artisan training, ask before applying.
Gauteng and Limpopo youth aged 18 to 35
The foundation’s services page names young adults aged 18 to 35 as its beneficiaries and lists Gauteng and Limpopo as the communities it serves. The bursary page itself does not repeat a province rule, but applicants from those two provinces match the foundation’s stated focus.
Paperwork the online form asks for
- A copy of your South African ID.
- Proof of residential address, such as an account no older than three months.
- A certified copy of your matric certificate, your latest academic results, or both.
- The course outline and a quotation from the college for the artisan course.
- A letter of motivation.
The PN Foundation does not consider incomplete applications. Ask your college for the course outline and quotation early, since you cannot complete the application without them.
Questions go to info@pnfoundation.org.za or 082 373 1688. For other routes into trades and technical work, see the MQA Bursary, which also supports artisans, the Gauteng City Region Academy bursary for Gauteng residents, and the engineering bursaries list.