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ABOUT THE DEDEAT BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2026 academic year.
Bursaries will be awarded to students residing within the Eastern Cape province, for studies within the following fields, related to Economic Development and Environmental Management:
Economic Development:
- Degree: Business Law (Focus area: Consumer Studies)
- BCom: Statistics/ BA: Human Ecology and Community Development/ Bachelor of Community Development, International Studies (Focus area: Statistics, Development Infrastructure, Transport Economics)
- BSc: Energy Studies Masters in Renewable and Sustainable Development (Focus area: Energy Studies)
- BTech BSc: Agri-Economics (Focus area: Manufacturing and Agricultural Sector Development, Urban Planning, Industrial Engineering)
Environmental Affairs:
- BSc: Environmental Science (Waste Management), BSc: Environmental Science (Air Quality Management) (Focus area: Pollution and Waste Management)
- Degree: Environmental Policy Planning, Design, Sociology, and Environmental Economics (Focus area: Environmental Research and Policy Development)
- Degree: Environmental Management and Biodiversity Coastal or Marine Management Climate Change (Focus area: Environmental Management)
- BSc: Environmental Chemistry, BSc in Marine Biology (Focus area: Scientific Studies)
Successful candidates will be contacted – if you do not receive any feedback, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Who Qualifies for this Programme
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must reside within the Eastern Cape province
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards one of the qualifications listed above, in 2026
- You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
- You must be from a previously disadvantaged community
- Preference will be given to candidates who have NOT completed any qualifications after Matric
- Preference will be given to candidates who have NOT been awarded a bursary by the DEDEAT before
- Preference will be given to candidates who have passed all relevant subjects
Application Procedure for 2026
Application forms can be collected from the following offices:
- Head Office (Bisho) (Address: Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism at Phalo House, Bisho 5605, P/Bag X0054, Bhisho, South Africa, 5605. Contact: Mr Thabo Manentsa, email: Thabo.Manentsa@dedea.gov.za, cellphone: 066 486 8229)
- Alfred Nzo Regional Office (Address: ERF 206 Magistrate Street, Maluti, 4740. Contact: Ms Nontuthuzelo Magugu (Assistant Director: Administration), tel: 039 256 0229, cell: 083 254 8462, email: nontuthuzelo.magugu@dedea.gov.za)
- Amathole Regional Office (Address: Alderwood House, Palm Square Business Park, Beacon Bay, East London. Contact: Mr Vukile Mayisela (Assistant Director: Administration), tel: 043 707 4000, cell: 078 801 5814, email: vukile.mayisela@dedea.gov.za)
- Chris Hani Regional Office (Address: Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Banthandwa Ndodo, Komani Office Park, Komani, Endimangeni. Contact: Mr Nyhweba Dyani (Assistant Director: Administration), tel: 045 809 4000, cell: 083 382 1704, email: Nyhweba.dyani@dedea.gov.za)
- Joe Gqabi Regional Office (Address: 27 Queen Terrence, Old Library building, Aliwal North, 9750. Contact: Mr Thandile Tokwe (Assistant Director: Administration, Unit: Office Administration), tel: 051 633 2901, cell: 066 689 5572, email: Thandile.tokwe@dedea.gov.za)
- OR Tambo Regional Office (Address: Corner Owen & Leeds Street, 5th Floor, Botha Sigcau Building, MTHATHA, 5099/ Post: Private Bag X5029, MTHATHA, 5099. Contact: Ms Asanda Sogoni (Assistant Director: Administration), tel: 047 531 1191, cell: 071 683 0219, email: asanda.sogoni@dedea.gov.za)
- Sarah Baartman Regional Office (Address: Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Private Bag X5001, Greenacres, 6057. Contact: Ms Ashley Poggenpoel (Assistant Director: Administration), tel: 041 508 5826, cell: 069 007 2148, email: ashley.poggenpoel@dedea.gov.za)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
Financial software
- Recent passport-sized photograph (to be attached to the application form)
- ID document (certified copy)
- Matric final results/ progress report/ certificate (certified copy)
- Proof of admission/ acceptance to a tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
- Full academic record, if currently studying (on institutions letterhead)
- Parents or guardian’s ID documents (certified copies)
- Parents or guardian’s proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ affidavit and certified copy of pension card if receiving pension)
- Proof of residence
Bursary Application Closing Date
This bursary closes on 31 December 2025.
How to Contact the Bursary Provider
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the DEDEAT directly:
Head Office (Bisho)
Contact person: Mr Thabo Manetsa
Tel: 066 486 8229 / 043 605 7123
Email: Thabo.manentsa@dedea.gov.za
(Ref: External Bursary Invitation)
