NMMU School of Accounting Bursaries
The Thuthuka bursary programme is a transformation initiative of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) aimed at encouraging previously disadvantaged South African black and coloured learners in schools to pursue a career in the Chartered Accountancy (CA) profession. “Thuthuka” is a Zulu word which means “to develop” – aiming at transforming South Africa’s business leadership.
The bursary programme, which covers all study costs including tuition, accommodation, meals, books and allowances also includes academic and administrative support initiatives to help students succeed in their studies. Students who do exceptionally well in Mathematics and have excellent marks in their other subjects to qualify for university entrance may apply. The bursary is only available for South African black and coloured learners .
If you are chosen for the bursary, you will be placed at NMMU, a SAICA-accredited university. NMMU was initially selected as one of only four SAICA-accredited universities to offer this bursary programme and we are committed to see you pass your examinations and qualify as a CA (SA).
The Thuthuka programme is managed by a dedicated programme manager and academic coordinators for each year of study. This is a limited bursary opportunity and only a number of students can be accommodated.
SAICA’S CLOSING DATE IS 30 APRIL OF EVERY YEAR FOR PRECEDING YEAR OF STUDY.
“The NMMU Thuthuka programme removes all the academic barriers and disadvantages that one faces when one comes to university. As a Thuthuka student, you receive the best academic support which definitely gives you an edge. Coming to NMMU and choosing this bursary above other lucrative bursaries are the best decisions I have made in the last 4 years.”
– Khanya Ndzululeka
NMMU Thuthuka BCom Graduate (cum laude)
If you have any queries, email questions to [email protected]
FIRST CLASS PASS … Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Khanya Ndzululeka made NMMU history as the first student in the School of Accounting’s Thuthuka bursary programme – which aims to grow the number of black Chartered Accountants – to graduate cum laude. Here she is seen (from left) with Johnathan Dillon (Management Accounting 4 lecturer), Prof Frans Prinsloo (Director: School of Accounting), Gugu Nxiweni (KPMG) and Shareen van der Watt (Thuthuka Bursary Programme Coordinator).
WHAT DOES THE NMMU THUTHUKA PROGRAMME PROVIDE?
The Thuthuka bursary provides:
- Funding in the form of a bursary and NSFAS loan scheme for CA studies;
- Living allowances which included meal cards, stationery, textbooks, allowances for your travel, airtime and something for personal use;
- Dedicated residence accommodation;
- Personal attention;
- Dedicated lectures for accounting modules;
- Small class size (1st and 2nd year);
- Dedicated tutorials in Financial Accounting;
- Formal study sessions;
- A mentoring and monitoring system supported by regular assessments;
- Additional academic support and intervensions;
- A dedicated full-time administrative and financial team.
These interventions have contributed to the results of students on the Thuthuka programme often exceeding those of students on the mainstream programme.
In the 20135 Qualifying Examination the programme achieved 100% pass rate.
The application process has 3 stages:
- The Thuthuka bursary application form should be completed by 30 April (for the following academic year). This application form is available from our office on South Campus room 0818, 8th floor, Main Building OR at www.saica.co.za OR on you can download is straight from our website.
- Students must also apply to NMMU, contact us or visit www.nmmu.ac.za/registration for more information. You can also download the NMMU Application form straight from our website.
- Potential candidates will be contacted to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) usually in August. The NBT is used to assess the applicants linguistic skills, numeric skills and mathematics aptitude.
The final acceptance decision is dependent on the applicant’s results in the NBT, his/her Grade 12 examinations, and a financial means test.
The applicant must satisfy the admission requirements for the BCom Chartered Accountancy programme to be considered for the NMMU Thuthutka bursary programme.