Statistics South Africa has released a report on the top 10 leading causes of death in South Africa, based on all death notification forms maintained by the Department of Home Affairs.
The data covered all reported deaths logged in 2016, but also tracks data on deaths occurring during the period 1997 to 2015 to show trends in mortality in South Africa.
The results on mortality levels and trends indicate that mortality has continued to decline in the country.
The general trend of registered deaths processed by Stats SA indicated an increase in death occurrences from 1997 to 2006 – when the number of deaths peaked to 614,248 – and a decrease thereafter.
In 2016, a total of 456,612 deaths occurred, marking a decline of 3.5% from the 473,266 death occurrences for 2015 that have been updated for late registration.
Overall, mortality now occurs at older ages for both men and women in the country, which is an indication of decline in premature mortality, Stats SA said.
In 2016, male deaths peaked at age group 60-64 years (8.6%), while female deaths peaked at a much older age group (75−79 years – 8.3%). Largely, there were more male deaths observed, and the sex ratio at death was 112 male deaths per 100 female deaths, the stats group said.
Causes of death
Overall, the cause of death in South Africa is largely due to what is categorised as natural causes, which account for 88.8% of all deaths that took place in 2016. The other 11.2% of deaths were non-natural causes.
For the first time since 1997, diseases of the circulatory system were the top ranking underlying main group of natural causes of death.
Generally, non-communicable diseases accounted for 57.4% of deaths in 2016 while communicable diseases were responsible for 31.3% of deaths in 2016, Stats SA said.
Tuberculosis maintained its rank as the leading cause of death in South Africa, albeit with declining proportions, while diabetes accounted for 5.5% – up marginally from previous data. These two big killers were followed by other forms of heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases, which both ranked third place at 5.1% each.
HIV moved up from the sixth position in 2014 and remained as the fifth biggest killer for both 2015 and 2016 deaths.
| Cause of death | Rank | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuberculosis | 1 | 29 513 | 6.5% |
| Diabetes mellitus | 2 | 25 255 | 5.5% |
| Other forms of heart disease | 3 | 23 515 | 5.1% |
| Cerebrovascular disease | 4 | 23 137 | 5.1% |
| Human immunodeficiency virus | 5 | 21 830 | 4.8% |
| Hypertensive disease | 6 | 19 960 | 4.4% |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 7 | 19 638 | 4.3% |
| Other viral diseases | 8 | 16 577 | 3.6% |
| Ischaemic heart disease | 9 | 12 883 | 2.8% |
| Chronic lower respiratory disease | 10 | 12 659 | 2.8% |
| Other natural causes | 200 403 | 43.9% | |
| Non-natural causes | 51 242 | 11.2% | |
| All causes | 456 612 | 100.0% |
Non-natural causes
When it comes to non-natural causes of death, accidental injury is the biggest killer in this category, accounting for 66.5% of deaths. This is followed by assault (14.8%) and transport accidents (12.5%).
The ‘other’ category which accounts for the most causes of non-natural deaths here covers quite a broad range of incidents, ranging from falling, and coming into contact with venomous creatures, to things like being a victim of a natural disaster.
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Ask a Question| Cause of death | Number | Percentage of non-natural causes | Percentage of all causes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other external causes of accidental injury | 34 096 | 66.5% | 7.5% |
| Assault | 7 568 | 14.8% | 1.7% |
| Transport accidents | 6 425 | 12.5% | 1.4% |
| Event of undetermined intent | 1 640 | 3.2% | 0.4% |
| Complications of medical or surgical care | 1 001 | 2.0% | 0.2% |
| Intentional self-harm | 425 | 0.8% | 0.1% |
| Sequelae of external causes of morbidity and mortality | 86 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| Legal intervention and operations of war | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Total | 51 242 | 100.0% | 11.2% |
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
- Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).
📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
If you’re studying:
- Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
- Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.
📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
-
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
-
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
-
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.
🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (if living away from home)
- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
- Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
- Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.
You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.