A meaningful opportunity for final-year LLB students committed to social justice and constitutional values
For many South African law students, the final year of an LLB is both a milestone and a strain. Academic pressure peaks, financial support often thins out, and the transition into the legal profession feels uncertain.
The Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship 2026 exists for students navigating this exact moment. It supports final-year LLB students who not only perform well academically, but who are deeply committed to social justice, constitutional values, and public-interest law.
Applications close on 28 February 2026, making this a timely opportunity for eligible students at Wits and the University of the Western Cape.
Who Bheki Mlangeni Was — and Why This Scholarship Matters
The scholarship is named in memory of Bhekisizwe Godfrey Mlangeni, a young lawyer, community activist, and graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand.
Mlangeni joined Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc. in 1989 after completing his studies at Wits. Despite growing up in poverty, he was committed to using the law as a tool for justice during one of South Africa’s most violent political periods.
On 15 February 1991, Mlangeni was assassinated by a bomb hidden inside a cassette player — an attack later linked to the Vlakplaas Unit of the apartheid-era South African Police.
This scholarship is not symbolic branding. It is an active reminder of the sacrifices made by lawyers who believed that the law could serve democracy, accountability, and human dignity — values that remain deeply relevant today.
About the Scholarship and the Law Firm Behind It
The Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship is administered by Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc., one of South Africa’s most respected law firms in labour law, constitutional law, and human rights.
Founded in 1979 by legal academics from Wits, the firm has long combined legal practice with academic rigour and public-interest advocacy. With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the firm continues to work at the intersection of law, policy, and constitutional development.
The scholarship reflects that legacy. It is aimed at students who see law not just as a career, but as a responsibility.
Who the Scholarship Is For
The scholarship is awarded to final-year LLB students only, and eligibility is intentionally specific.
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be studying toward an LLB degree
- Be entering their final year of study in 2026
- Be registered at:
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), or
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Be Black
- Demonstrate financial need
- Show a clear commitment to legal studies
- Have a stated goal of advancing social justice
- Have performed particularly well in:
- Labour Law
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
This scholarship is clearly not for every law student — and that is intentional. It prioritises students whose academic interests align with South Africa’s constitutional and labour law landscape.
FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE: Bheki Mlangeni Scholarship
What Successful Applicants Can Expect
While the exact financial value is not publicly stated, recipients may also be invited to participate in a vacation work programme at Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc.
This is not guaranteed employment, but it offers exposure to a law firm deeply involved in constitutional litigation, labour disputes, and policy-driven legal work.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly. If no response is received, applicants should assume their application was unsuccessful.
How to Apply (No Application Form Required)
There is no standard application form for this scholarship. Instead, students must submit a complete set of documents via email to their university coordinator.
Where to apply:
Wits students
📧 Wanda Ndlozi (University Coordinator)
wa**********@*****ac.za
UWC students
📧 Vernon Johannes (University Coordinator)
vj*******@****ac.za
📌 Email subject line: Bheki Mlangeni Scholarship 2026
Required documents:
- Name of the scholarship (Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship)
- Certified copy of ID document
- Certified full academic transcript
- Motivational letter explaining why you deserve the scholarship
- Updated CV (including student number)
- Two reference letters
- Contact details (phone number and email)
Incomplete submissions may be disqualified.
Closing Date and Contact Details
- Closing date: 28 February 2026
Contact Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc.:
Johannesburg Office
📞 011 403 2765
📧 ad***@****co.za
Cape Town Office
📞 021 418 2278
📧 ad***@****co.za
Applicants are asked not to contact the firm once the scholarship has closed.
SEE ALSO: SAPREF Bursary South Africa 2026: Opportunities for Engineering, Science, and Business Students
SEE ALSO: Tongaat Hulett Graduate Internships 2026: A Practical Step for Graduates Ready to Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship available to students outside Wits or UWC?
No. Only students from Wits and UWC are eligible.
Is it open to postgraduate law students?
No. Only final-year LLB students may apply.
Is the scholarship renewable?
No. It is awarded for the final year only.
Does academic performance matter more than financial need?
Both are considered. Neither alone is sufficient.
Is vacation work compulsory?
It may be required if offered, but details are communicated to successful candidates.
Final Thoughts
The Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship 2026 is not a generic funding opportunity. It is rooted in South Africa’s legal history and aimed at students who understand the law as a vehicle for justice, not just employment.
For the right candidate, it offers more than financial relief — it offers recognition and connection to a legacy that still shapes constitutional law today.
About The Author
