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Seriti Power: Seriti Coal Community Scholarships for young South Africans
About Seriti Coal Community Scholarships
If you live in one of the communities surrounding Seriti’s coal mining operations in Mpumalanga, the Seriti Community Scholarship offers a genuine opportunity to fund your tertiary education, regardless of what field you choose to study. Unlike many industry linked bursaries that restrict funding to specific technical fields, Seriti’s Community Scholarship stands out by supporting students across any field of study, provided they meet the residency and academic requirements.
About Seriti
Seriti is a broad based, 91% black owned and controlled South African energy company, underpinned by coal mining. Through its subsidiary, Seriti Coal, the company operates large scale opencast and underground thermal coal mines, including the New Vaal, New Denmark, and Kriel collieries, along with Khutala Colliery and Middelburg Mine Services. These operations supply coal to several of Eskom’s major power stations, making Seriti a significant player in South Africa’s energy supply chain. The company is co-owned by four black shareholder groups, including Community Investment Holdings, Thebe Investments, Zungu Investments, and Masimong Group, and employs several thousand people directly and through contractors.
As part of its commitment to transformation and community development, Seriti runs a dedicated Community Scholarship Scheme aimed specifically at investing in the further education of students living within its host communities.
What the Community Scholarship Covers
The Seriti Community Scholarship provides financial support that typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- A book allowance
- Accommodation
- A meal allowance
It’s worth noting that the scholarship does not cover previously failed subjects or modules, nor outstanding tuition fees from prior academic years, so applicants need to be in good academic standing before applying.
Who Can Apply
The Seriti Community Scholarship is specifically designed for students residing within Seriti’s direct host communities. To qualify, applicants generally need to meet the following requirements:
- Reside in one of the communities surrounding Seriti’s operations, including areas near Emalahleni, Khutala Colliery, Kriel Colliery, Middelburg Mine Services, New Denmark Colliery, or New Vaal Colliery
- Be accepted or provisionally accepted at a recognised and registered university or university of technology in South Africa
- Be pursuing a Degree or Diploma in any field of study, provided the qualification is accredited and meets a minimum of NQF Level 6
- Be able to provide certified copies of required documents, including your ID, academic records, registration or acceptance letter, and proof of residence
Since these scholarships are only open to applicants from Seriti’s specific host communities, it’s important to confirm that your place of residence qualifies before applying.
Why This Scholarship Is Worth Applying For
The Seriti Community Scholarship offers real value for students in the areas it serves, including:
- Financial support that isn’t restricted to specific technical or engineering fields, unlike many other industry bursaries
- A meaningful investment in local community development and long term socio-economic upliftment
- The opportunity to complete your studies without the constant financial pressure of tuition and accommodation costs
- Being part of a broader company commitment to transformation and empowering the communities in which it operates
This makes the scholarship a genuinely inclusive opportunity, particularly for students in Mpumalanga communities who may be pursuing fields outside of mining or engineering.
How To Apply
The Seriti Community Scholarship typically opens for applications ahead of the new academic year, with previous cycles closing in December. Since exact opening and closing dates can shift slightly between cycles, it’s best to check the Seriti careers and bursaries page directly for the current scholarship cycle before applying.
When applying, make sure to:
- Confirm that your community of residence qualifies under the scholarship’s eligibility criteria
- Prepare certified copies of your ID, academic records, registration or acceptance letter, and proof of residence, ensuring certification is no older than three months
- Apply using the correct online application link that matches your specific community or colliery area
- Submit your application well before the stated closing date, since late applications are not accepted
If you live in one of Seriti’s host communities and need financial support for your studies, this scholarship offers a genuinely accessible pathway toward completing your education, whatever field you choose to pursue.
