Sanzaf Zakah Bursary South Africa 2027

WHAT DOES THE SANZAF BURSARY COVER?

SANZAF invites students to apply for the SANZAF Education, Empowerment & Development Programme (SEED), a bursary programme for the 2027 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded to students who are in financial need and are unable to pay for their tertiary studies. The bursary will cover ALL fields of study.

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) works to improve lives and strengthen communities through various social development and empowerment initiatives. Its support is primarily directed towards individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, particularly those who are unemployed, earn low wages or do not have sufficient income to meet their essential living expenses. Through its programmes, SANZAF aims to assist vulnerable members of society and promote greater financial stability.

Under Islamic law (Shariah), Zakah may be distributed among eight recognised categories of eligible recipients:

1. The Poor
2. The Needy
3. The Administrators of Zakah
4. The Reverts
5. Those in Debt
6. Those in Bondage
7. Those (striving) in the path of Allah
8. The Wayfarer

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the SANZAF Bursary.

** RELATED BURSARIES **

• View our other Bursaries and Scholarships for ALL fields of study here.
• View our other Bursaries and Scholarships OPEN for application here.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS OF THE SANZAF BURSARY?

The selection process will include:

• The Bursary Committee will assess each application received and shortlist potential candidates.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview – date, time and venue will be advised via email.
• Candidates who do not attend the interview or submit the required documents, will be disqualified.
• Candidates will be given feedback on their application by their regional office.
• Selected candidates will receive a Confirmation of Pledge letter.
• Bursary payments will be made into the institutions account.
• Candidates will be required to pay for their own registration fees.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE SANZAF BURSARY?

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):

Applicants should fall into one of the following categories:

1. The poor: Individuals who are unemployed because work is unavailable or they cannot secure employment due to a lack of skills. Applicants who refuse reasonable available employment opportunities are generally excluded from this category.

2. The needy: Individuals who are employed but whose income is insufficient to cover their basic living expenses. This includes people whose earnings cannot adequately support their essential needs, even if they are employed in professional occupations.

3. Individuals in debt: People who have fallen into debt due to circumstances beyond their control and cannot settle their debts using their existing assets, even if this requires selling personal possessions. This may include individuals facing potential legal action that could leave them insolvent.

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE SANZAF BURSARY?

Applications must be submitted online – apply in the region in which you reside:

• East London Application
• Gauteng Application
• Gqeberha Application
• Kimberley Application
• Western Cape Application
• Durban: applications are closed.
• Ladysmith: applications are closed.
• Pietermaritzburg: applications are closed.

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the SANZAF bursary.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE SANZAF BURSARY?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Testimonials from your school or Imaam
• Parents/ guardians/ spouse/ own proof of income (latest payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or social grant if applicable)
• Motivational letter to support your application (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SANZAF BURSARY?

Each region has its own closing date, namely:

• East London: 31 October 2026.
• Gqeberha: 31 October 2026.
• Gauteng: 15 December 2026.
• Western Cape: 31 December 2026.
• Kimberley: 10 January 2027.
• Durban: 30 September 2026.
• Ladysmith: 30 September 2026.
• Pietermaritzburg: 30 September 2026.

(Applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact SANZAF directly:

Please do NOT contact SANZAF if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

WHAT DOES THE SANZAF DO?

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to alleviating poverty and improving the lives of vulnerable communities across South Africa. Guided by Islamic principles, SANZAF collects and distributes Zakah and other charitable contributions to support individuals and families facing financial hardship. Its work focuses on social development, education, humanitarian assistance and community empowerment.

Through its various programmes, SANZAF provides support to people who struggle to meet their basic needs, including unemployed individuals, low-income households and financially disadvantaged students. The organisation also contributes to educational development through initiatives such as bursaries, helping eligible students pursue further studies despite financial barriers. By combining charitable giving with structured development programmes, SANZAF aims to promote self-reliance, expand access to opportunities and create lasting improvements in the communities it serves.

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This bursary listing was last updated in October 2026.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.