The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) runs its bursary for unemployed students under the name Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme. CETA funds study towards built-environment qualifications at public institutions of higher learning inside South Africa, and its cover extends to master’s and doctoral students.
No CETA call for 2027 yet
As of 1 October 2026, CETA has not advertised a Thapelo Madibeng call for the 2027 academic year, and its INDICIUM bursary form shows the message that online applications are closed. CETA’s most recent call was for the 2026 academic year: it opened on 5 January 2026 and closed on 30 January 2026. That timing suggests the next call may again come at the start of the academic year rather than in the final term of 2026, but CETA has not confirmed this, so check its website regularly from December.
Who CETA funds through Thapelo Madibeng
CETA’s 2026 advert set five requirements. Expect them to carry over, but read the next advert before you apply:
- CETA funds South African citizens only.
- You must be unemployed. CETA asks for an affidavit as proof.
- You must study, or plan to study, a built-environment qualification at a South African public institution. CETA does not consider private colleges.
- You need an overall average of at least 50% in your matric or latest tertiary results.
- Your household must earn less than R600 000 a year.
What a CETA bursar receives
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
- Accommodation and meals
- Transport costs, subject to CETA’s conditions
- A research allowance, for master’s and PhD students only
CETA’s advert does not publish rand amounts for any of these items.
The seven attachments CETA makes mandatory
CETA calls every attachment mandatory and asks for clear scans. Collect these before the window opens, because a January call leaves only a few weeks:
- Your South African ID, certified
- Your matric certificate or statement of results (first-year applicants)
- Your latest academic record (students in second year or higher)
- Proof of acceptance from your university or college, for new and returning students
- Certified IDs of your parents or guardians
- Proof of your parents’ or guardians’ income, such as a latest payslip
- An affidavit confirming that you are unemployed
Apply only through INDICIUM, not a look-alike site
CETA accepts Thapelo Madibeng applications only on its INDICIUM system and states that it will not consider emailed applications. When a call is open, use the CETA INDICIUM bursary application form, or go to the CETA website, open INDICIUM and choose the bursary application.
Be careful with the domain thapelomadibengbursary.co.za. On 1 October 2026 it showed a general listings site with other companies’ bursaries and jobs, not a CETA form. Never upload your ID or your parents’ payslips anywhere except a ceta.org.za address. For questions, CETA’s advert gives the enquiries address unemployedbursary@ceta.co.za.
Other construction and civil funders to consider
Because CETA’s window is short, keep other options open. Civil engineering students can look at the IMESA bursary for municipal engineering and the MISA bursary, which funds infrastructure-related study. The engineering bursaries hub lists more built-environment funders.
Can I apply to CETA if I already have a job?
Not for this scheme. CETA’s Thapelo Madibeng call is for unemployed South Africans and asks for an affidavit confirming that you are unemployed.
Does CETA fund postgraduate study?
Yes. CETA’s advert includes a research allowance for master’s and PhD students in built-environment fields, on top of the standard cover.