If you are unemployed, a South African citizen, and want to study or are studying full time in a built-environment or construction-related field (undergraduate or postgraduate), the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary 2025 offered support for fees, books, accommodation and more. The closing date was 20 December 2024. At BursaryForms, we are your guide to success!

About the Bursary Provider

The provider is the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA). CETA is a Sector Education and Training Authority in South Africa tasked with planning, facilitating, and financing skills development in the construction sector. This includes providing bursaries for studies in built-environment professions, construction management, and other relevant fields. At BursaryForms, we are excited to connect you with this opportunity!

Fields Covered by the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

The bursary supports studies in these built-environment / construction-related fields (undergraduate & postgraduate levels):

  • Architecture (National Diploma / BSc up to PhD)
  • Building Arts (BA)
  • Building Construction (N4 to N6)
  • Civil Engineering (BSc to PhD)
  • Climate Change Science (all levels to PhD)
  • Construction BIM
  • Construction Economics
  • Construction Management
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Geomatics
  • Property Development
  • Real Estate (National Diploma)
  • Urban and Regional Planning (BSc to PhD)
  • Environmental Management

Expenses Covered by the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

The bursary provides support for:

  • Tuition / registration fees
  • Prescribed textbooks / learning materials
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Transport fees (subject to conditions)
  • Research allowance for Master’s / PhD students

Eligibility Requirements for the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

To qualify in 2025 applicants needed to meet all of the following:

  • Must be a South African citizen
  • Must be currently unemployed
  • Must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
  • Must be studying or intend to study full-time in one of the eligible built-environment fields at a public institution (University / University of Technology / TVET College)
  • Must have achieved a minimum average of 50% in previous studies (Matric or equivalent)
  • Total household income must be less than R800,000 per annum

At BursaryForms, we are supporting you! Helpful tips:

  • Ensure your Matric (or latest results) are certified and prepared. Missing or unclear documents often delay or disqualify applications.
  • Get your proof of registration or acceptance from the tertiary institution as early as possible.
  • If studying postgraduate, include any research proposals and supporting documents for research allowance.
  • Submit your application well before the deadline. Late or incomplete submissions are not accepted.

This page was updated on October 7, 2025 to provide the most current bursary information.

Indicate “www.bursaryforms.co.za” when asked how you heard about this bursary.

How to Apply for the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

Steps to apply in the 2025 round:

  • Fill out the official CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Application Form via the CETA / Thapelo Madibeng bursary portal.
  • Attach required supporting documents: certified ID, latest Matric certificate or results, acceptance / proof of registration, proof of household income, etc.
  • Submit via email to tm.bursary@ceta.co.za as per the advert.

Related Bursaries in South Africa

Apply for multiple bursaries in South Africa to increase your chances of receiving funding this year.

Closing Date for the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

20 December 2024 at 17:00 was the deadline.

This deadline has passed — applications after this date were not accepted.

Contact the CETA Provider

For further questions or clarifications:

Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA)
Email: tm.bursary@ceta.co.za
Website: CETA official site

Frequently Asked Questions

Click each question to see its answer about the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary.

1. Could unemployed learners in Matric apply?+
Yes. Matric learners or those who have completed Matric could apply, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
2. Was there an age limit?+
No clear universal age cutoff was given in all sources for 2025; however some bursary listings mention preference for applicants under 35 for undergraduate studies.
3. If I am postgraduate (Master’s/PhD), do I get research allowance?+
Yes. Postgraduate students were eligible for a research allowance.
4. Does the bursary cover transport?+
Yes, under certain conditions. Transport costs were included for some applicants.
5. Can existing students who have a failing record apply?+
Information on failing records was inconsistent; some sources required progression to the next year and no more than two failed subjects.
6. If I have NSFAS funding, can I apply?+
No. Applicants receiving NSFAS or other public funding were generally excluded.
7. Do I need proof of acceptance or registration?+
Yes. You had to attach proof from the tertiary institution confirming your acceptance or registration.
8. Is there a difference between undergraduate and postgraduate eligibility?+
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students (Master’s/PhD) were eligible, but some allowances (like research allowance) were reserved for postgraduate applications.
9. Could learners doing N4-N6 apply?+
Yes. TVET / N-level courses in construction-related fields (N4-N6) were among eligible programmes.
10. When will the next round open?+
No confirmed announcement yet for the 2026 or subsequent round at the time of these sources. Watch CETA’s official site for updates.

Before you apply for any bursary, make sure you have a clear plan. Download our comprehensive Bursary Application Checklist to stay organized, submit your documents correctly, and increase your chances of success.

Bursary Application Checklist