Hessequa Municipality, which governs Riversdale, Heidelberg, Albertinia, Stilbaai and the surrounding towns, funds local young people through what it calls its External Bursary Programme. The adverts target young residents of the Hessequa area. Hessequa has used the same name for two quite different schemes in recent rounds, so read each advert closely.
Nothing from Hessequa since February 2025
The most recent call on the municipality’s website is the “2025 External Bursary Programme”, posted on 6 February 2025 with a closing date of 13 February 2025. Hessequa did not publish a round for 2026 on its website, and no 2027 call has appeared either. Earlier adverts ran in January 2024 (closing 31 January), February 2024 (closing 21 February) and December 2024 (closing 20 December). The windows were short, often just a week or two, so if Hessequa revives the programme, act quickly.
The degree scheme run with Provincial Treasury
The February 2025 advert, run in collaboration with the Western Cape Provincial Treasury, invited matriculants with a Grade 12 certificate to apply for help with a degree in:
- Finance, Accounting or Economics
- Supply Chain Management, Internal Audit or Risk Management
- Infrastructure, Civil Engineering or Electrical Engineering
- Information Communication Technology
Hessequa said the programme looks for students who show potential and want to improve their community but cannot afford a degree. It encouraged applicants from historically disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities. Awards last one year only, so a three-year degree means applying again in later rounds.
The artisan round of December 2024
Two months earlier, Hessequa used the External Bursary Programme name for apprenticeships instead: occupational certificates as an automotive motor mechanic or a diesel mechanic. Students took theory classes at the training institution and did their practical work in Riversdale. Rather than paying fees only, Hessequa paid stipends directly to these apprentices to cover meals, accommodation and transport. If you want a trade, keep an eye out for a repeat of this format, and compare it with the MQA’s funding for students and artisans.
Age and residence limits
Both the December 2024 and February 2025 adverts limited the bursary to South African citizens between 18 and 23 years old who live in the Hessequa municipal area. That age band is much tighter than the 17 to 35 range Hessequa used in its 2024 adverts. You also could not hold another bursary or NSFAS funding at the same time, so a student already on NSFAS would not qualify.
Supporting documents and the emailed application
Applicants had to complete Hessequa’s prescribed form, which asks about your course and its cost, your achievements, community involvement, hobbies, health and two teachers or lecturers who can act as references. The 2025 External Bursary Programme post on Hessequa Municipality’s website still carries the advert and form. Certified copies of the following had to go with it:
- A comprehensive CV
- Proof of your qualification or latest examination results
- Proof of registration at an accredited tertiary institution
- Your ID, certified within the last three months
- A municipal account as proof of address
- Salary statements for both parents or guardians
- A doctor’s letter confirming permanent disability, where it applies
In 2025 Hessequa took applications by email only, to jaundre@hessequa.gov.za, and the contact person was Mr Jaundré Delport on 028 713 8100. Applicants who heard nothing within 30 working days of the closing date had to assume they were unsuccessful.
While Hessequa’s programme is quiet
Future accountants and auditors have national options such as the Thuthuka Bursary Fund, and civil engineering students can try the MISA technical bursary, which trains people for municipal infrastructure work. The government bursaries hub lists other public-sector schemes.