About SANZAF
SANZAF, which stands for South African National Zakah Fund, is an organisation that raises support for the needy. It is a faith-based organisation that offers Islamic Zakah and Sadaqat (charity) to vulnerable members of society. The money from the funds goes towards improvement in sectors like welfare, education, development, and emergency relief. SANZAF has served over 1,432,805 individuals in South Africa in 2020 alone. In the previous year, it distributed R 27,000,000 in education.
The Islamic organisation is funded by individual members who want to extend their help to other members of the Muslim community.
SANZAF Zakah Bursary 2024
SANZAF awards bursaries to a certain number of students every year. One of the types of Saqadat is to help others. Through the bursaries, SANZAF aims to help students who lack the finance to complete their education.
Known as the SANZAF Zakah bursary, it is distributed to all eligible South African students irrespective of the field of study.
The value of the bursary will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If the needs are high, the amount is going to be higher as well. The bursary will cover expenses like registration fees, tuition fees (either part or full), accommodation, meals, among others. The bursary payments will be made directly to the tertiary institution where you’re studying. More information will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To be selected for the SANZAF bursary programme, you must fulfill all the eligibility criteria. The organisation lays these out to choose the candidates from the pool of applicants. Failing to meet any of the criteria will lead to the rejection of your application. Therefore, always cross-check with the following requirements for SANZAF bursary:
Must be a South African citizen. Foreign nationals with a study permit are also considered
Must be residing in the province where you’re applying
Must be financially constrained
Must belong to a previously disadvantaged background
Must be either studying in Matric or have completed Matriculation
Must be either sponsored by a family member or yourself last year or sponsored by SANZAF last year
Must be either studying or willing to study at a University, University of Technology, or Technikon that’s recognised.
Must meet the requirements to be a recipient as defined by SANZAF
Preference is given to those who have a stronger academic performance or who need financial assistance is severe. Therefore, fulfilling all the eligibility criteria doesn’t guarantee bursary funding. It’s at the sole discretion of SANZAF.
How To Apply?
Those who are eligible as per the above requirements should move forward with the application process. It’s a short online process, and there’s no need to mail hard copies either. So it should take less than half an hour to complete.
The first step to applying for the SANZAF Zakah Bursary 2022 is submitting an online form. There’s a separate form for each province.
For Western Cape residents, click here.
For Port Elizabeth residents, click here.
For East London residents, click here.
For Gauteng residents, click here.
For Durban residents, click here.
For Ladysmith residents, click here.
For Pietermaritzburg residents, click here.
For Kimberley residents, click here.
Make sure to read all the instructions before completing the form. The next step is to submit the documents necessary for this bursary. These are needed to verify the information and process your application down the line.
Alternatively, applicants can contact their respective places below to inquire about the SANZAF bursary application form for the next academic year, as well as the application process.
The Bursary Committee will review and shortlist potential candidates. Interview dates, venues and time slots will be communicated through email. Interviews will be conducted afterward, and all applicants should make sure that they are available on the dates specified.
All supporting documentation must be submitted on or before the closing date, otherwise, the application will result in disqualification. Candidates will receive feedback regarding application status by the month of February. A Confirmation of Pledge letter after the month of February will be given to successful candidates which will indicate the dates by which payments will be made. The pledged amount will be paid in one installment. All payments will be made directly into the institution on behalf of the successful applicants and they are not entitled to withdraw any funds paid by SANZAF. Applicants are responsible for their own registration fees.
Documents Required
For students in Matric, here is the documents requirement:
ID documents
Study permit for foreign students
Latest Matric results
A motivational letter explaining why you’re the best candidate for this bursary
Testimonial from the school you studied at
Proof of income of parents/guardians (latest payslips if employed; affidavit if unemployed; death certificate if deceased)
Tertiary students not previously sponsored by SANZAF must submit the following documents along with the above:
Matric certificate
Tertiary academic record (on institution letterhead)
Tertiary students who were sponsored by SANZAF previously have to submit these additional documents along with the above:
2023 mid-year tertiary results (must be on institution letterhead)
Review for one last time and submit your application.
Closing Date
The last date to apply for SANZAF Zakah Bursary is:
Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha – 15 November 2023
East London – 15 January 2024
Western Cape – 31 December 2023
Gauteng – 10 January 2024
Durban – 15 December 2023**
Ladysmith – 25 January 2024
Pietermaritzburg – 15 January 2024
Kimberley – 31 January 2024
Contact Details
For more details, contact the person in charge in the province you’re applying from.
Durban: Razia Hamid / 031 3096786 / Razia.Hamid@sanzaf.org.za
East London: Imaan Poovan / 043-7227453/ Imaan.Poovan@sanzaf.org.za
Gauteng: Saadiqa Letsoara / 011 834 6046 / saadiqa.letsoara@sanzaf.org.za
Kimberley: Ebrahim Joubyar / 053 831 2758 / Ebrahim.joubyar@sanzaf.org.za
Ladysmith: Mahomed Dadabhai / 036 633 2792 / mahommed.dadabhay@sanzaf.org.za
Pietermaritzburg: Maseera Amin / 033 397 9133 / Maseera.Amin@sanzaf.org.za
Port Elizabeth: Hazra Agnew / 041 4571459 / hazra.karrim.agnew@sanzaf.org.za
Western Cape: Faeza Govind / 021 6385108 / Faeza.Govind@sanzaf.org.za
Let me know if you need assistance.