Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 HMM Bursary 2027

Closing date	31 October 2026 at 23:59
Provider	South32
Programme	Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary Scheme
Field of study	Engineering, Built Environment, Architecture, Commerce, Law, Management, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, Computer Science and IT
Study level	Degree and Diploma
Where	King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal
Status	Open for 2027

The Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary is South32’s South African bursary scheme, named in honour of the late Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi, who served as a South32 Non-Executive Director. The programme provides tertiary education funding for qualifying students from communities associated with South32’s operations.

For the current 2027 intake, the Hillside bursary is aimed at eligible students residing in the King Cetshwayo District in KwaZulu-Natal who plan to study full-time towards a degree or diploma at a recognised South African tertiary institution.

WHAT IS THE DR XOLANI MKHWANAZI SOUTH32 BURSARY?

The Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary Scheme is a South32 education funding programme for students who meet the programme’s academic and community-based requirements. South32 renamed its South African bursary scheme in honour of Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi in FY2021.

The scheme is linked to South32’s host communities and has operated through bursary opportunities associated with its South African operations. The current Hillside intake is specifically for students residing in the King Cetshwayo District in KwaZulu-Natal.

Applications are administered through Career Wise, which manages the online application and tracking process for the programme.

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE BURSARY COVER?

For the 2027 Hillside intake, the bursary is available for degree and diploma studies in a broad range of fields. The listed disciplines include:

• Engineering, Built Environment and Architecture — all disciplines
• Commerce, Law and Management — including Accountancy, Economics, Finance, Business Science and Law
• Health Sciences — including Medicine and Nursing
• Humanities — including Arts, Social Science and Education
• Science — including Mathematical Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Actuarial Science and Biological Science
• Computer Science and Information Technology

Consideration may also be given to other disciplines, so applicants whose qualifications do not fall neatly into the categories above should check the requirements of the current application before applying.

• Engineering Bursaries South Africa
• Science Bursaries South Africa
• Bursaries Open for Application

WHAT ARE THE DR XOLANI MKHWANAZI SOUTH32 BURSARY REQUIREMENTS?

For the 2027 Hillside intake, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Reside within the King Cetshwayo District in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Be under 21 years old.
• Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric.
• Be studying or intend to study full-time towards a degree or diploma in 2027.
• Study or intend to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
• Have a strong academic record.

Preference is given to students from designated groups. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an award, as applicants are assessed and shortlisted before bursaries are awarded.

The current programme also uses an interview and assessment as part of the selection process. Successful funding is awarded for one academic year at a time and may be renewed subject to satisfactory academic performance and conduct.

WHAT DOES THE BURSARY COVER?

The bursary provides financial support towards tertiary study. South32 has historically described the Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary Scheme as providing support for tuition fees, accommodation, meals and other study-related expenses.

However, the detailed funding package can differ between specific South32 community bursary intakes. The current 2027 Hillside information does not publish a confirmed monthly allowance amount, so applicants should not assume that a specific stipend or allowance amount will be paid.

The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time and may be renewed based on academic performance and conduct.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE DR XOLANI MKHWANAZI SOUTH32 BURSARY?

Applications for the 2027 Hillside bursary are submitted online through Career Wise.

Use the following application route:

1. Open the Career Wise application portal.
2. Complete the online application using your correct personal and academic information.
3. Use the promotional code Hillside27 when applying or tracking your application.
4. Upload the required supporting documents.
5. Review the application carefully before submitting it.
6. Submit the application before 31 October 2026 at 23:59.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview and assessment. Applicants who have not received feedback by 30 November 2026 should regard their application as unsuccessful for the 2027 intake.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE BURSARY?

The required supporting documents for the 2027 application include:

• Certified copy of your South African ID
• Latest Matric results, if you are currently in Matric
• Final Matric results once received, if you are a current Grade 12 learner
• Matric certificate, if you have already completed Matric
• Full academic record on your institution’s letterhead, if you are currently studying
• Proof of residence, such as a municipal water and lights account or a letter from a Council member or Chief

Make sure that the documents required for your circumstances are complete and legible before submitting your application. Missing documentation may result in the application not being considered.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE BURSARY?

The closing date for the 2027 Hillside intake is 31 October 2026 at 23:59.

The current intake is therefore open at the time of this update. Applications must be submitted through Career Wise before the stated deadline.

The application date for the following academic year should not be assumed from the 2027 deadline. South32 and its bursary administrators may publish new dates and requirements for each intake, so this page should be updated when the next application cycle is announced.

HOW DO I CONTACT CAREER WISE ABOUT THE BURSARY?

The Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary is administered by Career Wise.

• Contact person: Mr Liyanda Mkhabo
• Email: applications@careerwise.co.za
• Career Wise application portal: careerwise.co.za/ats/preregistration/

Use the bursary-specific contact route for questions about your application or supporting documents.

WHAT DOES SOUTH32 DO?

South32 is a global mining and metals company that produces commodities used across industries and operates in Australia, Southern Africa and the Americas.

In South Africa, the company has operations including its manganese business in the Northern Cape and Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal. Its bursary programme forms part of its investment in skills development and the communities in which it operates.

The bursary was renamed in honour of Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi, a scientist and business leader who served as a South32 Non-Executive Director from 2015 until his death in January 2020.

DR XOLANI MKHWANAZI SOUTH32 BURSARY FAQ

CAN FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS APPLY FOR THE DR XOLANI MKHWANAZI SOUTH32 BURSARY?

Yes. The current Hillside programme is available to applicants who are currently in Matric or have completed Matric and intend to study full-time towards a degree or diploma. Applicants must meet the age, residence, academic and other requirements for the relevant intake.

IS THE DR XOLANI MKHWANAZI SOUTH32 BURSARY RENEWABLE?

The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time and may be renewed subject to satisfactory academic performance and conduct.

IS THE SOUTH32 BURSARY ONLY FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS?

No. The Hillside bursary supports a much broader range of degree and diploma fields, including engineering, built environment, commerce, law, management, health sciences, humanities, science, computer science and information technology.

DOES THE SOUTH32 BURSARY GUARANTEE EMPLOYMENT?

No employment guarantee should be assumed. The purpose of the bursary is to provide education funding, while selection and renewal remain subject to the programme’s requirements and assessment process.

— END —

This bursary information was last updated in September 2026.

If you found this information useful, share this page with a student who may be looking for bursary funding.