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 2025/2026 ).
(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