Residents of Bitou Municipality aiming to study at an accredited South African tertiary institution had the chance in 2025 to apply for the Bitou Mayoral Bursary Fund. Preference was given to students in scarce skills programmes like Science or Engineering. If the 2026 cycle follows the same pattern, this could be your key to funding. At BursaryForms, we are your guide to success!

About the Bitou Municipality

Bitou Local Municipality is in Western Cape, within the Eden District. Towns in its area include Plettenberg Bay, Kwanokuthula, Nature’s Valley, Kurland, Wittedrift, Krantshoek etc. It offers the Mayoral Bursary Fund to support students from its area who want to further their studies.

Fields Covered by the Mayoral Bursary

This is what the bursary supported in 2025:

  • Scarce skills fields, especially Science and Engineering
  • More generally, any full-time qualification at a recognised tertiary institution could be considered, if in the Bitou area and meeting eligibility criteria (though priority was given to scarce skills)

Expenses Covered

What the bursary typically covered (from 2025):

  • Tuition / registration fees at the institution
  • Proof of registration or acceptance required
  • Academic record transcripts if already studying

Eligibility Requirements

Here’s what you needed in 2025; these are good indicators of what to prepare for:

  • South African citizen
  • Resident of Bitou Municipality, or parents own rateable property within Bitou
  • Completed Matric (Grade 12) or in a position to register for higher learning
  • Enrolled or intend to enroll full-time at a SAQA accredited university / TVET / college
  • Provide proof of household income of parents / guardians (payslips, affidavit if unemployed)
  • Provide proof of residential address (municipal account or official document).

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

This is what applicants did in 2025; for 2026, similar steps will likely apply.

  • Get the official Mayoral Bursary Application Form from the Bitou Municipality website or libraries / municipal offices
  • Fill in with required documents: certified ID, Matric results or certificate, academic records if already studying, proof of registration or acceptance, proof of income, proof of address
  • Submit either by hand delivery or post to the Office of the Executive Mayor, Bitou Municipality (4 Sewell Street, Plettenberg Bay) or via Private Bag address.

Related Bursaries in South Africa

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

Closing Date

24 January 2025 at 12:00 was the closing date for the 2025 Mayoral Bursary.

For 2026, as of now, there is no official public notice confirming a closing date or announcement of the Bursary programme. If something new is published, it will likely appear on the Bitou Municipality website under “Public Notices / Bursary” section.

Contact Bitou Municipality

For updates or clarifications, you can contact:

Bitou Local Municipality
Office of the Executive Mayor, 4 Sewell Street, Plettenberg Bay, 6600
Tel: 044 501 3008 (or 044 501 3484)
Website: bitou.gov.za

Frequently Asked Questions

Click each question to see its answer about the Bitou Municipality Mayoral Bursary.

1. Is the Bitou Mayoral Bursary 2026 open now?+
There is no confirmation of the opening of the 2026 round yet. Stay alert for Public Notices from Bitou Municipality early in 2026.
2. Which fields are preferred?+
Science and Engineering are given preference. Other fields were considered depending on resources and qualification.
3. Can I apply if I live just outside Bitou?+
Applicants must reside within Bitou Municipality or parents must own ratable property there. Outside applicants are generally not eligible.
4. What happens if I don’t have a final Matric certificate yet?+
You can submit Matric results once available or latest exam results if already studying. Conditional acceptance may apply.
5. Are postgraduate students eligible?+
No evidence was found that postgraduate students were eligible in the previous rounds. It seems aimed at undergraduate / first degree or TVET / similar.
6. Do I have to work for the municipality after graduation?+
No. In 2025, there was no requirement to work back for Bitou Municipality after completing studies.
7. What documents are needed?+
Certified ID, Matric results / certificate, proof of registration / acceptance, academic record, parents’ or guardians’ proof of income, proof of residence.
8. What was the closing date in 2025?+
24 January 2025 at 12:00 was the 2025 closing date.
9. How are applications submitted?+
By post or hand delivery to the Office of the Executive Mayor at 4 Sewell Street, Plettenberg Bay; also Private Bag X1002 in some announcements.
10. Where do I check for 2026 updates?+
Visit the Bitou Municipality’s official website under Public Notices, check municipal libraries, local newspaper adverts, and youth offices.

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