Students connected to farms in the Waitrose supply chain have an opportunity to obtain financial support for their studies. The Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa (WFSA) Bursary 2027 is available for employees working for growers in the supply chain, as well as their children and those under the guardianship of such persons.
Applications are invited for the 2027 academic year on courses in agriculture, business, health, education and medicine.
The closing date for applications is 3 October 2026, which makes it essential for prospective applicants to act now. The first step is always to contact the Foundation, which requires an initial request for an application form.
Who can apply?
One of the key points to make clear is that the WFSA bursary is not open to any South African student. This programme specifically targets students connected to permanent employees who work for growers in the Waitrose supply chain.
As noted in the eligibility criteria, an applicant has to be either:
A. a permanent employee in the minimum wage of a grower in the supply chain;
B. a child of a permanent employee in the minimum wage of a grower in the supply chain; or
C. a child under the guardianship of a permanent employee in the minimum wage of a grower in the supply chain.
An essential reality for any student considering this bursary is that they need to fit within one of the three specified categories. A student with excellent academic results who does not have any connection to a permanent employee in the minimum wage of a grower in the supply chain will not meet the criteria.
Applicants should always review the eligibility criteria before requesting an application form. If someone meets the basic connection requirements, they can proceed to the next stage.
What fields of study are covered?
The fields of study covered by the WFSA bursary include a wide range of study areas for the 2027 academic year. They are as follows:
Agrisciences, Business Sciences (including Commerce, Logistics and Retail), Community Health and Social Sciences, Education, and Medicine and Health Sciences.
The bursary covers students pursuing degrees and diplomas at an undergraduate level. Anyone making an application should ensure that their proposed course fits within one of the mentioned fields of study.
Where can students study?
The study locations permitted under the WFSA bursary include South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, either at a university or a TVET college.
This requirement is important to note since it restricts where a student can study under the bursary. The supplied information does not list any specific universities or colleges under consideration by the Foundation, which means that an applicant should not presume that their preferred institution will automatically qualify for the bursary.
Those who have not yet commenced their studies can still apply if they have received provisional acceptance to a university or TVET college that falls within the required locations.
What documents might the Foundation require?
Applicants should always be prepared to supply documents as part of the bursary application process. According to the supplied information, a number of documents will be needed, including:
A copy of ID
Most recent academic record
Proof of tertiary acceptance or provisional acceptance
Proof of employment with the grower in the supply chain.
Applicants should note that the list of supporting documents to be submitted is not exhaustive. The Foundation specifically mentions that the final list will be provided when an applicant receives the application form. A more pragmatic approach is for applicants to prepare the documents listed while also retaining those that the WFSA might request. Similarly, it is always advisable to submit high-quality copies of any required documents since blurred scans or photographs do not create a good impression during the selection process. A foundation reviewing hundreds of bursary applications will always take note of poor presentation.
How to apply for the WFSA Bursary
The application process always starts with a request for an application form. Eligible students must email the following address:
info@waitrosefoundation.org.za
The subject line should clearly indicate ‘WFSA Bursary Application’.
Applicants should also be mindful of the ‘How did you hear of the bursary’ requirement. If a student accesses the application details from the link below, they should always complete that section with the following information:
While it might appear to be an insignificant detail, it is extremely important to follow all requirements, instructions and guidelines to the letter. Students who overlook minor requirements always find themselves disqualified from a bursary competition. A better approach is to make a note of every requirement and use it as a benchmark while completing the bursary application. It is always a good idea to retain a printed or digital copy of the email requesting the application form and the documents submitted for future reference.
What is the closing date?
According to the information supplied, the closing date for the WFSA Bursary 2027 is 3 October 2026. The deadline serves as a reminder to applicants to always submit a complete application before the due date. Some students try to leave an application until the last day, which is not always advisable. The process for requesting the application form always requires students to send an email to the Foundation. As a result, students should always allow themselves plenty of time to request the form, understand the requirements, and prepare the documents needed before the deadline.
Why the Foundation supports education
The Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa was launched in 2005 as a joint initiative between UK-based retailer Waitrose and fresh produce suppliers in Southern Africa. The Foundation concentrates on community development in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with a view to improving the quality of life of farm workers and their families. The support extends to early childhood development, schools, and skills development initiatives, with bursaries being a part of the overall offering. Education support is viewed as playing an integral role in community upliftment.
The Foundation always considers the long-term impact of its funding decisions. For the workers within the Waitrose supply chain and their families, obtaining a tertiary qualification is often unaffordable. For someone who has gained provisional acceptance to a degree programme, the financial aspect can prove to be an impediment to starting their studies.
Who should consider applying?
The information supplied highlights that the bursary targets students who already have an existing connection to an eligible grower in the supply chain. It is always advisable for eligible students to consider this bursary if they are embarking on an undergraduate career path in any of the specified fields of study.
Students who are new to tertiary studies should always take note of the requirement to have provisional acceptance to a degree programme. However, it is crucial to understand that the ‘connection to grower in the supply chain’ is an overarching requirement, which applies to everyone considering this bursary.
Practical tips before applying
1. Confirm the family or employment connection
Before requesting the application form, it is essential to confirm that the relevant permanent employee works for a grower in the supply chain and that they fall within the minimum wage bracket.
2. Check your qualification
Make sure that the proposed qualification is an undergraduate degree programme and the field of study is covered by WFSA.
3. Confirm your institution
If a student is currently studying or has received provisional acceptance, they must ensure that their university or TVET college is a recognised institution in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
4. Prepare your documents early
Applicants should always avoid leaving the submission of documents until the closing date.
5. Follow the email instructions precisely
Always use ‘WFSA Bursary Application’ as the subject line and complete the ‘How did you hear of the bursary’ request accurately in the email containing the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WFSA Bursary open to all students?
The bursary is only available to students fitting within the three main eligibility categories. These are: a permanent employee in the minimum wage of a grower in the supply chain; the child of such an employee; and a child under the guardianship of such an employee.
Can a child of an eligible employee apply?
Yes, children of eligible employees are permitted to apply for the WFSA bursary.
Can a student who has not yet started university apply?
Students can apply if they have received provisional acceptance to a recognised university or TVET college.
Can TVET students apply?
Applicants must ensure that the qualifications they are pursuing or intend to pursue are at an appropriate level. TVET students can apply if their college and the proposed qualification meet the requirements.
Which countries are covered?
Eligibility extends to students studying in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Is the bursary only for agriculture students?
The bursary covers a wide range of fields of study. Agriculture is one of the main areas, but Education, Business Sciences (including Commerce, Logistics and Retail), Community Health and Social Sciences, as well as Medicine and Health Sciences are also covered.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date for applications is 3 October 2026.
How do I request the application form?
Eligible students can request the application form by emailing the following address:
info@waitrosefoundation.org.za
The email subject line must indicate ‘WFSA Bursary Application’.
Contact and official reference
For bursary-related queries, the supplied information lists:
Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa
Email addresses: info@waitrosefoundation.org.za or emily@waitrosefoundation.org.za
Contact person: Emily Hendricks
Final tip for applicants
Never fall into the trap of thinking that this is a competitive bursary. Students who think that only the best marks determine eligibility are likely to be disappointed by the selection criteria. Remember that an eligible student who fits within one of the three main categories always has a better chance at receiving financial support than someone with lower marks who does not meet the requirements. Once the main eligibility criteria have been met, students should always request the application form at least a month before the deadline. It always takes time to complete the documents, which makes the last-minute rush extremely stressful.
