The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) invites students from sugarcane-growing regions to apply for its Bursary Programme for the 2026 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 21 November 2025
Location: KwaZulu-Natal & Mpumalanga, South Africa
About SITFE
Established in 1965, the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) is one of South Africa’s oldest private sector education support funds. The organisation is committed to advancing education in rural communities located in sugarcane-growing regions, particularly KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
Through this bursary, SITFE aims to develop the next generation of agricultural professionals and contribute to skills development within the sugar industry and broader agricultural sector.
Fields of Study Covered
Bursaries will be awarded for Agriculture-related studies at the following institutions:
- Cedara College of Agriculture
- Owen Sithole College of Agriculture
- University of Mpumalanga
These institutions specialise in agricultural training and education — ideal for students aspiring to contribute to sustainable farming and the sugar industry value chain.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the SITFE Bursary 2026, applicants must meet the following minimum entry criteria:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be a resident of KwaZulu-Natal or Mpumalanga (sugarcane-growing provinces).
- Must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric.
- Must have applied or registered to study within the Faculty of Agriculture at a recognised tertiary institution or Agricultural College.
- Must be from the “missing middle” income group – household income between R350 000 and R600 000 per annum.
- Preference will be given to:
- Children of sugarcane farmworkers.
- Disadvantaged applicants from sugarcane-growing areas.
- First-year students from regions where sugar mills and administrative infrastructure are located.
Selection Process
- Shortlisting will be based on Grade 11 final results, Matric June results, or latest tertiary results.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted in early December 2025 and required to attend an interview in mid-December 2025.
- Final selection will be confirmed by 31 January 2026, subject to Matric final results.
- SITFE reserves the right to withdraw the bursary if a candidate receives other full funding or loans.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit clear certified copies of the following documents (incomplete applications will not be considered):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Matric trial/final results and certificate (certified copy)
- Latest tertiary results (if applicable)
- Proof of connection to the sugar industry (if applicable)
- Proof of parents’/guardians’ household income (payslips, pension receipts, or affidavit)
- Death certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of application or registration at a university or agricultural college (on institution letterhead)
How to Apply
Applicants can apply in one of the following ways:
Option 1: Online Application
👉 Click here to apply online for the SITFE Bursary 2026
Option 2: Hard Copy Application
Download the SITFE Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf) here:
👉 SITFE Bursary Application Form 2026 (PDF)
Submit completed forms and supporting documents via one of the following:
📧 Email: bursaries@sasa.org.za
Subject Line: SITFE Bursary 2026
📬 Post:
Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education
P.O. Box 700
Mount Edgecombe
4300
Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the bursary.
Important Dates
- Closing Date: 21 November 2025
- Shortlisting: Early December 2025
- Interviews: Mid-December 2025
- Final Results: By 31 January 2026
Late applications will not be accepted – ensure your application and all documents are submitted before the deadline.
Why Apply for the SITFE Bursary?
- Full or partial financial support for Agriculture studies.
- Opportunity to study at leading agricultural institutions.
- Preference for students connected to the sugar industry.
- Supports youth development and education in rural areas.
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