Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary 2025-2026

About Gert-Johan Coetzee:

Gert-Johan Coetzee is a prominent South African celebrity fashion designer known for specializing in red carpet gowns and wedding gowns. He has gained recognition in the fashion industry for dressing both international and local celebrities for red-carpet events. Some notable names he has dressed include Kourtney Kardashian, Kristen Cavallari, Liezel van der Westhuizen, Bonang Matheba, Basetsana Khumalu, Sashi Naidoo, Tatum Keshwar, Louise Carver, Noeleen, Cindy Nell, and many more.

In partnership with the North West School of Design (NWSD), Gert-Johan Coetzee has been awarding bursaries to deserving students for the past nine years. The aim is to contribute to the growth of the South African fashion industry and provide financial assistance to students aspiring to make a name for themselves in the fashion world.

About the Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary Program:

The Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary program, in collaboration with the North West School of Design, is offering bursaries for students interested in studying Fashion Design at the North West School of Design in Klerksdorp for the 2025-2026 academic year. This program covers various aspects of fashion design, including fashion illustration, apparel construction, pattern drafting and manipulation, computer-aided design, and fashion retail.

The bursary theme is “Style Tribes: Subcultures,” focusing on how individuals in organized societies often gravitate toward specific styles or subcultures within the fashion society.

Bursary Coverage and Obligations:

The Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary provides coverage for the following expenses:

Three years of tuition fees at the North West School of Design
A Bernette – Chicago 5 sewing machine, sponsored by Bernina RSA

The total value of the bursary is over R187,000. However, it does not cover accommodation, transport, or meals. Bursary recipients are required to complete a minimum of two internship programs each year at the Gert-Johan Coetzee studios during holidays.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a South African citizen
Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
Intend to study full-time toward a three-year Fashion Design course at the North West School of Design in Klerksdorp
Be fluent in English (both written and spoken)
Demonstrate a good attitude with dedication, passion, and drive
Possess a natural fashion instinct

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted online through the Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary Application Form for 2025-2026.

As part of the application, you will be required to create two fashion designs based on any style tribe, including fashion sketches (A4 size, full color, maximum 5 MB each). You should also create a mood board with a collage showing which subcultures and aesthetics inspired your designs (maximum 5 MB).

Selection Process:

The selection process includes the following steps:

Semi-finalists will be selected by Gert-Johan Coetzee and contacted via telephone by Charles Oosthuizen from the NWSD by no later than September 26.
Semi-finalists will be required to complete an assignment and submit it by no later than October 10.
Finalists will be announced on October 15, and required to travel to Klerksdorp for the Platinum Fashion Festival of North West School of Design.
The winner of the bursary will be announced on November 5.

Closing Date:

The closing date for applications is September 23. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted.

Contact Information:

For any queries related to this bursary program, please contact the North West School of Design directly: