The South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) invites South African Black female students to apply for the Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary for the 2026 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 5 December 2025 (23:59 – midnight)
Location: South Africa (nationwide – study at any accredited South African institution)
About the Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary
The Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary supports Black female students who want to pursue maritime-related qualifications and build careers in the oceans economy.
The bursary honours the legacy of Ms Sindiswa Nhlumayo, former Executive Head of the Centre for Maritime Excellence at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), who was widely recognised for her contribution to maritime education and transformation.
The bursary is available for:
- Undergraduate studies
- Honours / Postgraduate Diplomas
- Master’s degrees
- PhD studies
Maritime-Related Qualifications Funded
Undergraduate Qualifications
- Animal Production (BSc) – focus on Aquaculture
- Applied Geology (BSc)
- Aquaculture (Certificate course)
- Environmental Sciences / Environmental Management / Environmental Studies (BSc)
- Geology Sciences (BSc)
- Logistics (Diploma)
- Marine Electronics Communication Engineering (National Diploma)
- Marine Engineering (BEng / BEng Tech / BEng Tech Honours / Diploma)
- Marine Science (Diploma)
- Maritime Studies (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
- Maritime Transportation and Logistics (BSc / BCom)
- Meteorology (Diploma)
- Microbiology (BSc)
- Nautical Studies (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
- Oceanography (BSc)
- Port & Harbour Engineering (National Diploma)
- Shipping and Logistics (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
- Transport Management (Diploma)
- Zoology and Entomology (BSc)
Honours / Postgraduate Diploma Qualifications
- Aquaculture (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Aquatic Health (BSc Hons)
- Environmental Sciences / Environmental Management / Environmental Studies (BSc Hons)
- Geological Sciences / Applied Geology (BSc Hons)
- Marine Ecology (BSc Hons)
- Marine and Environmental Law (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Maritime Economics (BCom Hons)
- Maritime Law (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Maritime Studies (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Maritime Transport (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Maritime Transport Economics (BCom Hons)
- Oceanography (BSc Hons)
- Zoology and Entomology (BSc Hons)
Master’s Qualifications
- Applied Geology (MSc)
- MBA with a maritime-related research topic
- Marine and Environmental Law (LLM / MPhil by coursework and minor dissertation)
- Marine and Ship Surveying (Master of Laws)
- Maritime Management (Master’s)
- Maritime Studies (LLM / MPhil / MCom)
- Ocean Governance (Master of Laws)
- Oceanography (MSc)
- Philosophy in Ports and Shipping (Master’s)
- Shipping Law (Master of Laws)
- Zoology and Entomology (MSc)
PhD Qualifications
- Applied Geology (PhD)
- Botany (PhD)
- DBA with a maritime-related focus
- Development Studies with a maritime-related focus (PhD)
- Marine and Ship Surveying (PhD)
- Maritime Law (PhD)
- Microbiology (PhD)
- Oceanography (PhD)
- Shipping Law (PhD)
- Zoology and Entomology (PhD)
What the SAIMI Bursary Covers
The Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary provides comprehensive financial support, including:
- Full tuition fees
- Textbooks
- Subsidised accommodation and meal allowance
Bursary recipients may also benefit from:
- Attendance at SAIMI-hosted conferences
- Participation in local maritime events
- Involvement in organised maritime and science bodies
📌 Note: The bursary does NOT cover any historical / outstanding study debt.
Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate Students
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be a female student
- Must be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (Black African, Coloured or Indian – as per BEE Act of 2003)
- Currently in Matric or have completed Matric
- Studying or provisionally accepted for a full-time maritime-related undergraduate qualification
- Studying or provisionally accepted at an accredited South African tertiary institution
- Minimum 70% overall average if currently studying (academic progress considered)
- Must have obtained A and B symbols in Matric
- Must fall within the “missing middle”:
- Parents’ income between R350 000 and R600 000 per year
Honours and Master’s Students
- South African citizen
- Female student
- From a previously disadvantaged, designated group (Black African, Coloured, Indian)
- Studying towards a maritime-related qualification
- Registered at an accredited South African tertiary institution
- Must have completed at least 1 year of study (academic progress considered)
- Minimum 70% average at undergraduate level
- Minimum 65% average at Honours level
- Must fall within the “missing middle” (parents’ income between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)
PhD Students
- South African citizen
- Female student
- From a previously disadvantaged, designated group (Black African, Coloured, Indian)
- Studying towards a maritime-related qualification
- Registered at an accredited South African tertiary institution
- Must have completed at least 1 year of study (academic progress considered)
- Minimum 70% average at Master’s level
- Must fall within the “missing middle” (parents’ income between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)
How to Apply for the SAIMI Bursary 2026
👉 Click here to apply for the SAIMI Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary 2026
Apply via Email
Applications must be submitted via email to: bursary@saimi.co.za
Email subject line: SAIMI Bursary 2026
🔎 All documents must be in PDF format, clear and complete.
Application Forms (Download)
Use the correct application form for your level of study:
- Undergraduate students:
SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 – Undergraduate (.pdf) - Honours / Master’s students:
SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 – Honours/Master’s (.pdf) - PhD students:
SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 – PhD (.pdf)
Required Supporting Documents
Undergraduate Applicants
- Certified copy of ID document
- Certified copy of Matric certificate (if completed Matric)
- Certified copy of most recent results (if currently in Matric)
- Certified academic transcript (if currently studying)
- Provisional acceptance letter from tertiary institution
- Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks (on institution letterhead)
- Certified ID copies of parents/guardians or death certificate if deceased
- Proof of household income (payslips, affidavit if unemployed, pension/SASSA proof if applicable)
- Motivational letter (max 500 words)
Honours and Master’s Applicants
- Certified copy of ID document
- Certified copies of all qualifications and academic transcripts
- Provisional acceptance letter from tertiary institution
- Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks
- Certified ID copies of parents/guardians or death certificate
- Proof of household income
- Motivational paper (max 800 words) including:
- Research topic
- Research proposal: problem statement
- Importance of your research to society
PhD Applicants
- Certified copy of ID document
- Certified copies of all qualifications and academic transcripts
- Provisional acceptance letter from tertiary institution
- Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks
- Certified ID copies of parents/guardians or death certificate
- Proof of household income
- Motivational paper (max 800 words) covering:
- Research topic
- Research proposal and problem statement
- Importance of your research to society
SAIMI Bursary Closing Date
Closing Date: 5 December 2025 (23:59 – midnight)
Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Apply early to ensure your application is considered.
Contact – SAIMI Bursary
For any queries, please contact SAIMI directly:
Email: bursary@saimi.co.za
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