HORTGRO Bursary South Africa

HORTGRO Bursary South Africa

ABOUT THE COMPANY – HORTGRO

The history of HORTGRO dates back all the way to 1652 when the first apple seeds were planted by Jan van Riebeeck in the Cape of Good Hope. Today, the company is focused on research and technology, production, transformation, markets and communication in the deciduous fruit industry.

The companies main goal is to guide and direct research within the deciduous fruit industry, to address the industries short term and long term needs. HORTGRO’s members include: the Dried Fruit Technical Services (DFTS); SA Stone Fruit Producers’ Association (SASPA) and SA Apple and Pear Producers’ Association (SAAPPA).

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED & COVERAGE VALUE

HORTGRO bursaries are awarded to academically deserving students each year, and since the inception of the bursary programme, the company has provided over R35 million worth of bursary funding in contribution to the agricultural workforce.

Bursaries will be awarded within the following fields of study:

  • Agricultural Economics
  • Biochemistry
  • Entomology and Nematology
  • Genetics
  • Horticulture
  • Microbiology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Research and Technical
  • Soil/ Water Science

The bursary award will cover the following expenses: tuition fees (up to a limited amount), accommodation on tertiary campus and prescribed books (up to a limited amount).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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):

  • South African citizen
  • Completed Matric OR currently in Matric
  • Studying (or intend on studying) in one of the aforementioned fields
  • Studying (or registered to study) at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa
  • Meet the admission requirements for your chosen course of study

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BURSARY

Download and complete the HORTGRO Bursary Application Form (.pdf)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):

  • ID document (certified copy)
  • Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
  • Matric latest results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
  • Latest tertiary academic results, if at tertiary level (3 latest progress reports) (certified copies)
  • Proof of tertiary registration (on tertiary letterhead)
  • Detailed breakdown of study fees (tuition, books and accommodation)
  • Parents/ guardians ID documents (certified copies)
  • Parents/ guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed)
  • Details of 2 contactable references (school principal or lecturer)

Applications must be submitted in one of the following ways:
1) Post:
HORTGRO
PO Box 163
Paarl
7620

2) Hand delivered:
258 Main Road
Paarl
7646

CLOSING DATE

15 August Annually.
(Applications for 2025 ).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact HORTGRO directly:
Contact Person: Astrid Arendse
Tel: 021 870 2900
Fax: 021 870 2915
Email: astrid@hortgro.co.za

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.