Mezzanine is a South African software company, founded in 2012 and now part of the Vodacom Group, that works with mobile operators to build digital tools for agriculture and health care across Africa. Its bursary is a small merit award for school leavers who want to study Computer Science but can’t afford university.
A short window around March
Mezzanine runs its bursary after the university year has started, not before. Its terms for the last round said applications opened on 9 March 2026 and that Mezzanine would tell shortlisted applicants the outcome by the end of March 2026. The terms did not give a closing date, and Mezzanine has not announced a 2027 round yet. Late entries are not accepted, so first-years should watch for the call from February. Mezzanine posts its openings on its Mezzanine careers board and keeps the rules on its Mezzanine bursary terms and conditions page.
Mezzanine’s entry rules
- First-year undergraduate studying Computer Science full-time at a recognised, accredited South African university.
- South African citizen with a valid ID.
- A matric average of 65% or more.
- No other bursary. Mezzanine does not consider students who already hold one.
- Disclosure of any criminal record, and acceptance of Mezzanine’s privacy notice.
The bursary page on Mezzanine’s website, which still describes the 2025 round, adds that applicants had to live in the Western Cape and be unemployed. The 2026 terms don’t repeat the Western Cape rule, so ask Mezzanine whether it still applies before you apply from another province. Mezzanine allows one application per person and awards bursaries on merit and financial need, in line with its employment equity plan.
Funding stops after first year unless you reapply
The bursary may cover tuition and university accommodation for the first year of study only. A student who wants Mezzanine funding in second year has to apply again, and Mezzanine reassesses each case on merit. The website also mentions job shadowing and networking with Mezzanine staff. Winners sign a contract with Mezzanine, but a bursary does not promise a job after graduation.
Documents from the last advert
For the 2025 round Mezzanine asked for a CV, a certified ID, a certified matric certificate, a motivational letter, proof of university registration, a fee statement and proof of household income, uploaded through an online portal. Expect much the same list next time, since proof of registration and a fee statement only exist once you’ve enrolled.
Questions, and bigger IT bursaries
Mezzanine takes bursary queries only at hr@mezzanineware.com. Because the award is small and covers one year, also apply to its parent company’s Vodacom external bursary programme, the Golden Arrow bursary for Computer Science students and the other options on our IT bursaries page.