Limpopo’s provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) is taking applications for external bursaries for the 2027 academic year. Departmental Circular 41 of 2026, signed by Head of Department M.A. Mashamba on 8 September 2026, sets the closing date at 30 October 2026 at 16:00. LDARD says it will not consider late forms.
Three qualifications, one maths-and-science bar
This round covers only three programmes, and LDARD states it will ignore applications for anything else:
- BSc Agricultural Engineering: Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 6 (70–79%)
- National Diploma in Civil Engineering: Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 6 (70–79%)
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine: Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 6 (70–79%)
Note that the diploma in civil engineering carries the same level 6 requirement as the two degrees. Applicants must be South African citizens. LDARD aims the scheme at previously disadvantaged applicants from poverty-stricken rural areas and invites women and persons with disabilities to apply.
A comprehensive award, if the budget allows
LDARD describes the bursary as covering tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a monthly allowance, “pending availability of funds”. The circular also reserves the department’s right to set the number of awards for the year and not to award at all if the budget does not allow. It gives no rand amount or number of bursaries.
Putting together the LDARD form
Download the 2027 external application form from the bursaries page on the LDARD website, where the LDARD external bursary advertisement (PDF) also sits. The four-page form asks for your personal details, your district (Capricorn, Mopani and so on), your high school subjects and marks, your family’s finances and any study loan you already hold, and a signed declaration. A parent or guardian co-signs if you are a minor.
Attach certified copies of:
- Your South African ID
- Your Grade 12 certificate or statement of results
- Your Grade 12 June/July report, if you are still at school
- Your academic record, if you are already at university
- Your admission letter
- Proof of residence
- Your parent’s or guardian’s salary advice
If you do not yet have a university acceptance letter or final results, the circular allows you to apply while you wait for them.
Getting it to Polokwane before 30 October
LDARD takes paper applications, not an online portal or email. Send the form and certified documents to: The Head of Department, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Human Resource Development, 69 Biccard Street, Private Bag X9487, Polokwane, 0700. The form adds a note asking you to submit “through your District of residence”, so check with your nearest LDARD district office how it forwards applications if you plan to hand yours in locally.
The circular lists eleven enquiry officials. Among them are Ms Eunice Madisha (015 294 3352), Ms Livhuwani Nesengani (015 294 3531) and Ms Raesetja Selowa (015 294 3338) at head office; the department’s switchboard is 015 294 3000.
Silence after 60 days means no
LDARD writes only to the people it selects. The circular gives a 60-day cut-off: no letter by then means you were not chosen. With the closing date on 30 October, that points to the end of December 2026.
Other agriculture and veterinary funding
The national Department of Agriculture bursary funds a wider list of agricultural degrees. Veterinary students in their senior years can also apply to the South African Veterinary Foundation bursary, and second-year agriculture students may fit the Citrus Academy bursary.
Can I apply to LDARD for a BSc Agriculture or animal science degree?
Not in this round. The 2027 circular lists only agricultural engineering, the civil engineering diploma and veterinary medicine, and says LDARD will not consider other fields.
Do I need to live in Limpopo?
The circular itself only requires South African citizenship, but it targets poor and rural communities, and the form asks for your Limpopo district and proof of residence. Applicants from Limpopo are the clear focus.