The Buffalo City Municipality is a municipality located on the eastern coast of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It was established in 2000 and used to be part of Amathole District Municipality until it was separated from the district. The municipality is made up of towns including Bhisho, King William’s Town and East London, as well as townships like Zwelitsha and Mdantsane.
Fields Covered
The Mayoral Bursary Programme 2026 is available to students who are living within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Undergraduate study bursaries are offered in the following fields:
Engineering Fields:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Planning Fields:
- Architecture
- Building
- Facilities Management
- Land Surveying
- Quantity Surveying
- Town and Regional Planning
Science Fields:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Finance Fields:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Economics
The bursary is renewable per academic year. Students may reapply each year, based on academic presession.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility To be eligible, applicants must:
- South African citizen
- Aged 14–35 years
- Resident hereof residing in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Currently Grade 12 or have passed Grade 12 or NCV Level 4 Certificate with Mathematics.
- Intending to pursue or currently pursuing an undergraduate degree qualification in one of the listed fields.
- Registered at DAFF approved South African Academic institution
- Academic requirements:
- Matric: minimum “C” (60-69%) for Mathematics, Accounting, Physical Science; minimum “D” 50-59% in English
- NCV Level 4: passed Mathematics
Students of disabilities and underprivileged background are also welcome.
How to Apply
Forms may be obtained from Community Support Centres or Youth Advisory Centres in Buffalo City:
- Mdantsane Library: Dunga St, Duncan Village, East London, 5209
- King William's Town Civic Centre: 25 Taylor Street, Qonce, 5601
- Duncan Village Art Centre: Duncan Village, East London 5209
- East London Trust Centre Building: 117 Oxford Street, East London CBD, 7th Floor Office 706
The completed forms should be delivered in person to:
- Buffalo City Metro Municipality
- Special Programmes Unit
- 7th Floor, Trust Centre Building
- P.O. Box 134, East London, 5200 and
Required Documents
Include certified copies of:
- South African ID document
- (Most recent Matric results/Matric certificate/ NCV Level 4 Certificate)
- Complete academic records or transcripts (for current studies)
- On campus letter of acceptance to 2026 NOTE: Not admission letter.
- Short statement of motivation for the application
- A letter from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality confirming residence in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality or confirmation from ward councillor
- Proof of income in the form of parents/guardian’s payslips, affidavit if not employed or SASSA grant/pension/what is applicable.
Incomplete applications will be considered invalid.
Closing Date: 31 October 2025
Contact Information
For enquiries, contact:
Nandi Zikalala
Tel: 043 705 1013