SANZAF bursary application 2025: All you need to know

SANZAF bursary application 2025: All you need to know

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals by providing financial aid to those in need. Every year, SANZAF offers bursaries to deserving students, and 2025 is no exception. Whether you are in financial need or require support for your studies, the SANZAF bursary application for 2025 may be your opportunity to pursue your academic dreams.

SANZAF benefited students (L). The SANZAF logo (R)
The SANZAF bursary is a financial aid program that provides financial assistance to students. Photo: @SANZAF (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A good life in the future depends on a good education. Various bursaries in South Africa ensure that young people get the chance to brighten their future. Below is all the information you need to know if you plan to get financial help for your learning from SANZAF.

What is the SANZAF bursary all about?

SANZAF stands for the South African National Zakah Fund. This faith-based organization is concerned with the social and educational welfare of needy families in South Africa. It helps the Islamic community by collecting and distributing Sadaqat and Zakah.

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The organization follows Muslim law, Sharia, which specifies eight groups of people who should receive Zakah. They include the poor, the needy, the reverts, the ones in debt, those in bondage, the wayfarers, the ones striving in the ways of Allah, and the Zakah overseers.

The SANZAF Zakah bursary program is meant for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford to pay for tertiary learning. All students needing the funds are supposed to make an online bursary application. Remember that SANZAF will not cater to your school registration money. Therefore, you have to make arrangements to clear it.

Who qualifies for the SANZAF bursary applications?

You are required to understand the terms and conditions and the rules specified. Only those students who meet the minimum SANZAF bursary requirements are fit to receive educational financial aid. The following are mandatory qualifications for you to make it in your application:

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  • You should be a valid citizen of South Africa or have a study permit if you are from another country.
  • You must provide proof of financial need.
  • You must be a resident of the province in which you are making the application. The various regions include Kimberly, Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Durban, Gauteng, East London, Western Cape, and Port Elizabeth.
  • You should have been previously disadvantaged.
  • The student should have plans to study or be currently studying at a University, Technikon in South Africa, or the University of Technology.

The student should be among any of the following three groups:

  • Studying at a tertiary institution at the moment and received SANZAF sponsorship the preceding year
  • Currently in Matric
  • Studying in a tertiary institution at the moment and was sponsored by a guardian or yourself the prior year

SANZAF bursary application process

Students from various provinces are required to apply online by filling out the bursary application forms that are made available. SANZAF bursary application forms can be found in the following regions. Apply in your respective region.

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  • Durban
  • East London
  • Gauteng
  • Kimberley
  • Ladysmith
  • Pietermaritzburg
  • Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha
  • Western Cape

Follow the steps below to make your application.

SANZAF bursary application portal
SANZAF bursary applications for East London are currently ongoing. Photo: form.jotform.com
Source: UGC
  1. Go to the official South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) website.
  2. Choose your regions, such as East London, Port Elizabeth, or the Western Cape, where applications are currently open.
  3. If you select the East London region, for example, click on the "East London Bursary Application Form."
  4. You will be redirected to a new page. Agree to the "Terms and Conditions" and then click "Next."
  5. Carefully read the instructions and choose your application type.
  6. Upload all the necessary documents and click "Next."
  7. Complete the application form with the required information and click "Next" to continue.
  8. Follow the final steps to complete and submit your application.

Which documents must be submitted?

You must submit your application form along with the requested supporting documents when you have completed it. Before submission, you must ensure all required documents are in a single PDF file.

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Remember to attach all the requested details to avoid having unsuccessful applications. The following is the information required for the different categories of students. Tertiary students who SANZAF is currently sponsoring are required to submit the following:

  • The final results for Matric or the certificate
  • Mid-year tertiary results for the current year
  • Provide proof of revenue from your guardian, parent, or spouse.

Current matric students should submit the following:

  • An authenticated copy of ID or study permit for foreign nationals
  • Most recent Matric results
  • Reason for bursary in a motivational letter
  • Endorsement documents
  • Provide proof of revenue from your guardian, parent, or spouse.

Tertiary students who SANZAF has not sponsored in the past are supposed to submit the following:

  • An authenticated copy of ID or study permit for foreign nationals
  • The final results for Matric or the certificate
  • All academic records for tertiary learning
  • Reason for bursary in a motivational letter
  • Endorsement documents
  • Provide proof of revenue from your guardian, parent, or spouse.

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What does the SANZAF bursary cover?

The SANZAF bursary offers financial relief to students by covering essential educational costs. The bursary may cover:

  • Registration fees
  • Tuition fees
  • Study materials such as textbooks and lab equipment
  • In some cases, a contribution towards accommodation or travel expenses

The bursary amount depends on the student's financial needs and the budget SANZAF has allocated for the year. As a non-profit, SANZAF raises funds through zakat donations, so the availability of funds may vary annually.

When is the SANZAF bursary closing date?

The closing date for the SANZAF bursary application varies each year. The current ongoing applications are for East London, Port Elizabeth, and the Western Cape. The table below shows the opening and closing dates for the SANZAF bursary in various regions.

RegionOpening dateClosing dateContact personEmail addressPhone number
Durban01 August 2024-Razia HamidRazia.Hamid@sanzaf.org.za 031 3096786
East London01 October 202330 October 2024Imaan PoovanImaan.Poovan@sanzaf.org.za043 722 7453
Gauteng01 December 202310 January 2024Saadiqa Letsoarabursary.jhb@sanzaf.org.za(011) 834 6046
Kimberley01 November 202331 January 2024Ebrahim JoubyarEbrahim.joubyar@sanzaf.org.za(053) 8312758
Ladysmith01 December 202325 January 2024Mahomed Dadabhaimahommed.dadabhay@sanzaf.org.za(036) 6332792
Pietermaritzburg01 October 202315 January 2024Maseera AminMaseera.Amin@sanzaf.org.za(033) 3979133
Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha15 September 202330 October 2024Hazra Agnewhazra.karrim.agnew@sanzaf.org.za(041) 457 1459
Western Cape01 October 202431 December 2024Faeza Govindfaeza.govind@sanzaf.org.za(021) 638 5108

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Willowton bursary 2025 application

Individuals from the Durban region may qualify for the Willowton Group bursary program. Willowton Oil and Cake Mills has grown into a family-owned business and is now South Africa's largest sunflower seed processor and a leader in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) industry.

To be eligible for the bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria, as failure to do so will result in disqualification:

  • Be a South African citizen or a foreign national with a valid study permit.
  • Reside in the province where the application is made.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Have applied for NSFAS before seeking this bursary.
  • Be enrolled or planning to study at a recognized South African University, University of Technology, or TVET College.
  • Be a current matriculant, a tertiary student who self-funded or was supported by family last year, or a student previously sponsored by Willowton/SANZAF.
  • If required, achieve a minimum of 65% in a subject or module to qualify for the bursary.
  • Additionally, some Muslim students may be eligible for Zakaah assistance.

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Note: The bursary will include registration fees, tuition fees and cost of textbooks

How to apply for Willowton bursary in 2025

Willowton Group registration portal
Each year, the Willowton Group provides funding to students who are in financial need. Photo: wosanzafbursary.co.za
Source: UGC

Follow the steps below to make your online application.

  1. Go to the Willowton Group Bursary Program website.
  2. Select the "Login/Register" option.
  3. If you already have an account, log in and continue with your application.
  4. First-time users can register by completing the form with your details and clicking "Submit."
  5. Verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your inbox.
  6. After account creation, login and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your bursary application.

Is SANZAF only for Muslims?

A common question about SANZAF is whether their bursary program is exclusively for Muslim students. No, SANZAF is not exclusive to Muslims. The bursary is open to students from all backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria.

What happens after the submission of the application?

The SANZAF bursary program committee will scrutinize the applications to find potential beneficiaries. Those shortlisted will be notified via email when to go for interviews and the venue for interviews. Those who pass the interview process will be made aware using a Confirmation of Pledge Letter.

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The SANZAF bursary application for 2025 is an excellent opportunity for financially disadvantaged students to receive support in pursuing their academic dreams. By meeting the SANZAF bursary requirements and submitting a well-prepared SANZAF bursary application form, you could receive financial aid that covers a range of essential educational expenses.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.

Briefly.co.za recently published an article about the SETA bursary application. SETA stands for Sector Education and Training Authority in South Africa. The country has various SETAs that facilitate skills development within specific economic sectors.

The education sector offers bursaries to help South Africans pursue higher education. Learn about the SETA bursary application process today.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
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Alice Wabwile (Lifestyle writer) Alice Wabwile is a multifaceted content creator and Project Assistant at AfDAN, boasting over four years of experience. Holding a BCom degree from the University of Nairobi School of Business, she has cultivated a dynamic skill set through roles such as her tenure at Strathmore University's Data Science Department, where she contributed significantly to research. Recognized for her exceptional talent, she clinched the Writer of the Year Award. Beyond her professional endeavours, Alice is an engaged member of the Rotaract Club of Kabete. For inquiries, reach out to her at alicenjoro01@gmail.com

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Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Adrianna finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com