Babette Taute Scholarships Offer R50,000 for English Honours Study in 2027
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Babette Taute Honours Scholarship 2027: Overview
This guide to the Babette Taute Honours Scholarship 2027 covers the published opportunity, eligibility and application steps.
The Babette Taute Trust offers R50,000 Honours scholarships for full-time, one-year English-related study in 2027. Applications and references must arrive by 20 November 2026.
Eligibility and Award Conditions
Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents studying at a South African university. English language, literature and applied language studies qualify. Selection considers academic performance alongside writing, cultural or social leadership, and teaching or translation achievement. Other awards are permitted, but combined grants may not exceed R120,000; this scholarship can be reduced to meet the cap.
Build Your Application Pack
Prepare identity or residence evidence, a one- to two-page CV, a writing sample of no more than 500 words, an official transcript or certified copy, a course outline of up to 100 words, and relevant evidence of achievement. Declare other funding. Arrange two confidential academic references, sent directly by the referees, and ask for confirmation that they have submitted.
Submission and Follow-Up Results
Email the application to lauren.smidt@sanlamtrust.co.za, copying naaznien.parker@sanlamtrust.co.za. Use “Babette Taute 2027 Application/Query: Your Surname”. The pack requests final results by 30 November, or an explanation if unavailable. Some secondary instructions retain 2026 labels; ask the administrators if uncertain.
Choose Your Writing Sample Carefully
Pick a piece that shows how you think and use language, rather than trying to repeat your CV in prose. Read it aloud, proofread it and check the word count. Contact referees early and give them enough context to discuss your work. Keep a simple checklist showing which documents you have sent and which references have been confirmed.
Application Planning: Make the Writing and References Work Together
These are editorial preparation suggestions, not additional Trust selection criteria.
Choose a writing sample with a purpose
Read several pieces of your own work and consider which best shows precision, imagination or an interesting line of thought. If using an excerpt, make sure it can be understood on its own. Spend time on the opening and ending: a short selection should feel intentional rather than abruptly cut from a much longer assignment. Preserve your own voice and avoid claims or experiences that are not yours.
Explain the course fit plainly
Read the actual Honours course description before writing your outline. Identify the area you want to explore and how it connects to English study. Keep the explanation accessible to a reader who may not know your department’s module codes. A concise, specific outline is easier to understand than a list of broad academic interests.
Give referees useful context
Approach academics who know your work well enough to comment meaningfully. Ask whether they can meet the deadline and give them the official referee instructions, your intended course and a reminder of work they assessed. Follow up politely about submission confirmation while respecting the confidentiality of their reports.
Track your other awards
Keep a small register of funding applications, offers and accepted awards, including their values. Update it when an outcome changes. This will make it easier to provide accurate information and notice when a combination of awards may need clarification before acceptance.
Babette Taute Honours Scholarship 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
Is this restricted to UWC students?
The published scheme covers qualifying students at South African universities.
Do I need confidential references?
Yes. The application pack says incomplete applications, including missing references, will not be considered.
How should I prepare my files?
Open each scan before submitting, check that all pages are readable, and use filenames that make the document type easy to identify.
What should I keep after applying?
Keep your completed application, supporting files and any submission acknowledgement together. These records can help if you need to follow up.
View Official Application Instructions
Official Sources
Official sources checked on 16 October 2026 (Africa/Harare). Check the provider’s instructions again before submitting.
