Thuthuka Bursary Requirements: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a CA(SA)

Key Takeaways: The Elite Accounting Fund

• The Goal: The Thuthuka Bursary is a transformation initiative by SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants). It is exclusively for students who want to become a CA(SA).
• The Demographics: It is strictly reserved for African and Coloured South African citizens to balance the historical demographics of the accounting profession.
• The Maths Rule: You must have a minimum of 60% (Level 5) in Pure Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics are absolutely not accepted.
• The Income Limit: Your combined household income must be R350,000 per year or less. (This aligns perfectly with the NSFAS means test, as NSFAS is a 50/50 funding partner for Thuthuka).
• The University Catch: You cannot study at just any university. You must be accepted into a SAICA-accredited “CA-Stream” BCom degree at one of their specific partner universities.

Becoming a Chartered Accountant CA(SA) is one of the most prestigious, difficult, and lucrative career paths in South Africa. The journey takes a minimum of seven years (a 3-year degree, a 1-year postgraduate CTA, and 3 years of doing “Articles” while passing two board exams).

Because the drop-out rate in accounting degrees is notoriously high, and the fees are astronomical, SAICA created the Thuthuka Bursary Fund.

Thuthuka (a isiZulu word meaning “to develop”) is not just a bursary that pays your fees and forgets about you. It is a highly managed, comprehensive support system that physically shepherds you through the hardest degree in the country. Thuthuka students consistently boast higher pass rates than mainstream university students.

Here is the definitive guide to exactly what you need to qualify for the Thuthuka Bursary.

1. The Core Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply?)

Thuthuka is heavily oversubscribed. To even make it to the selection committee, you must pass these non-negotiable filters.

Demographic and Personal Requirements

• Citizenship: You must be a South African citizen.
• Race: The fund is legally structured as a transformation vehicle. You must be Black African or Coloured.
• Age/Status: You must either be currently in Grade 12, have been out of school for no more than two years, or currently be studying a CA-stream BCom degree at a university.

The Financial Need (The NSFAS Link)

Thuthuka partners with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). You must prove financial need.

• The Cap: Your combined family household income (parents or guardians) must be R350,000 per annum or less.
• The Proof: You will be subjected to the official NSFAS means test. You must provide certified copies of your parents’ ID documents, latest salary slips, or a sworn police affidavit if they are unemployed.

2. The Academic Requirements (The “Pure Maths” Barrier)

Accounting at a university level relies heavily on complex financial mathematics, statistics, and logical problem-solving.

The Minimum Grade 11 / Grade 12 Marks:

• Mathematics: You must achieve at least 60% (Level 5) in Pure Mathematics.
• The Exception: There are no exceptions. If you take Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics, your application will be automatically rejected.
• Accounting Subject: Interestingly, taking Accounting as a subject in high school is not always a strict requirement for the bursary (though some universities require it for admission). Pure Maths is the ultimate decider.

The NBT Requirement (Crucial Step):

You cannot just submit your Matric results. You MUST write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) before the bursary closing date.

• The NBTs test your Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics in a university context.
• Thuthuka uses your NBT scores to determine if you have the underlying aptitude to survive a CA degree, regardless of how well your high school inflated your Matric marks.

3. The “CA-Stream” Degree vs. General BCom

This is the biggest mistake applicants make. They apply for a generic “BCom Accounting” or “BCom Financial Management” degree and wonder why Thuthuka rejects them.

To become a CA(SA), you must study a SAICA-Accredited CA-Stream Degree. These degrees are significantly harder than general BComs.

If you are funded by Thuthuka, you are restricted to studying at one of their specific partner universities. When applying for the bursary, you must apply to at least three of these universities (and one must be close to your home).

The Approved Partner Universities:

1. University of Johannesburg (UJ): Bachelor of Accounting (BCA012)
2. University of Pretoria (UP): BCom Accounting Sciences (07130044)
3. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Bachelor of Accounting Science (BAccSc)
4. University of Cape Town (UCT): BCom in Financial Accounting: Chartered Accountant
5. Stellenbosch University (SU): BAcc / B Rek
6. University of the Western Cape (UWC): BCom Accounting (CA Stream)
7. Nelson Mandela University (NMU): BCom Accounting
8. Rhodes University (RU): Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
9. University of the Free State (UFS): Bachelor of Accounting
10. University of Fort Hare (UFH): BCom Accounting
11. North-West University (NWU – Potch): BCom CA
12. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN – Westville): BCom Accounting

4. What Does the Thuthuka Bursary Cover?

Most corporate bursaries just pay the university invoice. Thuthuka pays for your entire life, allowing you to focus 100% on studying.

The Financial Support:

• Full Tuition Fees: Paid directly to the university.
• Accommodation: You are placed in a university residence. You do not have to stress about finding a private commune.
• Meals: You receive a daily meal allowance.
• Textbooks: Accounting textbooks are massive and expensive. Thuthuka covers them all.
• Living Allowance: A monthly stipend for toiletries and basic necessities.

The “Wrap-Around” Support (The Secret to Success):

This is why Thuthuka students pass.

• Dedicated Programme Managers: At every partner university, there is a Thuthuka office. If you are struggling, you have a manager whose entire job is to help you.
• Extra Tutorials: Thuthuka students have mandatory extra classes and study sessions. You cannot hide if you are failing.
• Life Skills & Work Readiness: You are taught how to communicate in a corporate environment, how to manage your time, and how to draft a CV.
• Psychological Support: CA degrees cause severe burnout. Thuthuka provides access to counseling and emotional support to keep your mental health intact.

5. The “PGDA” and Articles Placement

Thuthuka does not abandon you after your undergraduate degree.

To become a CA(SA), you must complete your Honours year, known as the PGDA (Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting) or CTA (Certificate in the Theory of Accounting). Thuthuka continues to fund you through this brutal postgraduate year.

Once you pass your PGDA, you have to complete three years of practical training (Articles) at a registered auditing or accounting firm (like Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY, or smaller firms).

The Guarantee: Thuthuka actively places its beneficiaries into training contracts with the companies that have funded the bursary pool. If you pass, your employment as a Trainee Accountant is virtually guaranteed.

6. How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Process

Do not wait until your final Matric exams to apply. The cycle closes early.

1. The Application Window:

Applications usually open early in the year and strictly close on 31 August for the following academic year.

2. The Online Portal:

You must apply exclusively online at the official website: www.thuthukabursaryfund.co.za.

3. The Documentation Requirements:

You must upload clear, recently certified copies of the following:

• Signed Thuthuka Consent Form (downloaded from their site).
• Your ID Document.
• Your Parents’/Guardians’ ID Documents.
• Proof of Income (Latest payslips or an affidavit if unemployed).
• Your Final Grade 11 Results (if currently in Matric).
• Your Final Grade 12 Results (if you have already finished school).
• Proof of University Provisional Acceptance (on a university letterhead).

Note: Incomplete applications are instantly discarded. If you forget to attach your mother’s ID, you lose the bursary.

Summary: A Life-Changing Opportunity

The Thuthuka Bursary is not just a financial transaction; it is an induction into a professional brotherhood and sisterhood. If you have the required 60% in Pure Maths and the grit to study for 7 years, this is the most valuable application you will ever submit.

Action Plan:

1. Book Your NBTs: Go to www.nbt.ac.za today and book your National Benchmark Test. You cannot get Thuthuka without it.
2. Apply to 3 Universities: Ensure you apply for the “CA Stream” degree at three of the SAICA-accredited universities listed above.
3. Gather the Paperwork: Ask your parents to gather their payslips or prepare to visit the police station for an affidavit regarding their unemployment.