The Sibona Ilanga Trust holds an 8% stake in the De Aar Solar Power plant in the Northern Cape and spends its dividends on the communities living within 50 km of the plant. Bursaries are one of its main programmes: the trust says it has put R17.2 million into 143 bursaries so far and has set aside another R2.5 million for its 2027/2028 financial year. StudyTrust manages the scheme for the trust.
Final deadline for 2027 study: 31 October 2026
The Sibona Ilanga Trust’s call for 2027 bursary applications opened on 1 June 2026. Its poster gives the final closing date as 31 October 2026 and warns that it will not accept late submissions; StudyTrust’s bursary list shows the same date as an extension. The online form is live now.
Who the trust will consider
- South African citizens aged 35 or younger.
- People whose home is within a 50 km radius of the De Aar Solar plant.
- Applicants who have passed matric (NSC or NTC), whether recently or years ago.
- Anyone with an acceptance from a recognised South African public or private training or tertiary institution: a TVET college, a university of technology or a university.
The trust specifically invites people who left school some time ago and are not studying at the moment. One of the bursars on its 2027 poster comes from Philipstown, a reminder that the 50 km circle reaches beyond De Aar town itself.
From boilermaking to a degree
Sibona Ilanga does not restrict fields. It funds technical and skills training such as boilermaking, fitting and turning or plumbing, as well as national certificates, national diplomas and degrees. An artisan route is as welcome here as a university course.
The value of each bursary depends on the student. The trust’s poster says an award can include full tuition, accommodation, living expenses and study materials; StudyTrust’s description adds registration and exam fees and meals.
Four documents to have certified and ready
- A copy of your ID.
- Proof of your household’s income.
- Proof that a tertiary institution has accepted you.
- Proof of residence inside the 50 km area.
Selection rests on two things: your marks (preliminary or final Grade 12 results, your latest results, or the highest grade you passed) and proof that you lack the money to study further. StudyTrust only considers forms that are complete and carry every supporting document.
Online, by email or at the Ethembeni Community Centre
Most applicants should use the online form linked from the Sibona Ilanga Trust programme page on StudyTrust’s site. The trust also accepts a paper application form: email it to b.ndlovu@studytrust.org.za or hand it in at the Ethembeni Community Centre, 3 Friedlander Street, De Aar. StudyTrust handles queries at the same email address.
Posters in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa are on the bursaries page of the Sibona Ilanga Trust website. The trust’s own office is in Claremont, Cape Town, on 021 001 3693 or info@sibonailangatrust.co.za.
Because StudyTrust matches a single application to every sponsor you qualify for, the same form may also be considered for other schemes it runs, such as the Toyota SA Motors bursary. The Letsatsi Borutho Trust, which shares trustees and a Cape Town office with Sibona Ilanga, runs a similar scheme for families around the Droogfontein plant near Kimberley.
I finished matric years ago and I’m working. Can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you are 35 or younger, live within 50 km of the De Aar Solar plant and have an acceptance from a recognised institution. The trust openly invites people who completed the NSC or NTC in earlier years.
Is the deadline 30 September or 31 October?
For the Sibona Ilanga Trust it is 31 October 2026. Many other StudyTrust bursaries closed on 30 September, which is why you may see the earlier date elsewhere.