FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 APRIL 2022
The Arts & Culture Trust announces an open call for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, proudly supported by Nedbank, Sun City and Sun International.
Stand a chance to win a fully paid scholarship to study at an arts institution of your choice in South Africa!
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) is a partnership between ACT and Nedbank Arts Affinity. Their goal is to create an opportunity to fund higher education for young South African performers and visual artists.
In 2022 we welcomed Sun City as a new partner and as the host for the ‘Road to Sun City’ scholarship journey, as well as returning sponsor and partner Sun International, in supporting the national roll-out of the ACT NSP.
The ACT invites school leavers and young people who want to study towards a performing arts degree and pave their way to a sustainable future. The open call goes live on www.act.org.za on 26 April 2022 and will run for four weeks until 22 May 2022, when applications close.
Online applications are open nationwide to grade 11 and grade 12 learners, as well as young people up to 25 years. To qualify, applicants must have achieved a university exemption. The categories are visual arts, singing, dancing and acting. Parental or guardian consent and a registration fee of R100 is required to register for the national auditions. Auditions will be held via Zoom in June 2022.
In Sesotho, Nyoloha means ‘rise’, and the ACT NSP is part of the new ACT strategy to educate, uplift and empower those wishing to make a career in the arts and culture sector. By facilitating knowledge-creation opportunities through tertiary education and work experience within the arts industry, graduates are equipped with life and business skills so that they are career-ready and able to actively contribute to the growth and stimulation of the creative sector.
ACT and Nedbank scholarships have been available since 2009. ‘Following a two-year hiatus owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are delighted to relaunch the undergraduate scholarship programme that brings together talented, ambitious young people from across South Africa, taking them through various training activities for a period of time, then introducing them to the world of professional arts through an intensive week of training, talks and performances, culminating in a showcase and exhibition. We are thrilled that Sun City has stepped on board as our partner in shaping the Road to Sun City, where they will host the the finals week, and gala finals event. The partnership with Sun City extends beyond the ACT NSP with a roll-out of development workshops and mentorship equipping arts and culture practitioners in the North West Province with business skills and networking opportunties,’ says ACT Interim CEO, Jessica Denyschen.
Fortnightly activities for the ACT NSP will run from June to September 2022 and be managed by ACT-appointed mentors who will regularly engage with mentees and provide professional support. In the final week of each month, the work undertaken by the mentees is rated as part of the short-listing exercise. Students who don’t make the ratings will continue with the programme, but they will not be eligible for the finals. However, subject to their body of work being evaluated over the training and mentorship period, the top three ‘drop-off’ students will be selected to join the 12 finalists as wild cards.
ACT, together with long-term partner Nedbank and returning partner Sun International, strongly believes in helping to build a better, more educated, more sustainable arts industry in South Africa. The ACT NSP rewards commitment, excellence and growth potential. In addition to the scholarships, it also offers research grants and the creation of an alumni network.
‘A degree from a respected institution enables people to change their lives and that of their families and communities. It gives people access to the world and the confidence to take the lead in making a positive impact in society. A degree in the performing arts empowers people to help shape the soul of our nation,’ says Tobie Badenhorst, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank.
‘Given Sun International’s long history of supporting the arts and culture in all its forms, we are proud to support the ACT. As a group, we are synonymous with entertainment and our properties around the country regularly offer a platform to talented local artists. We also focus on schools and arts organisations close to each of our properties,’ adds Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International.
The final week runs from Monday, 3 October to Friday, 8 October at Sun City. It comprises of masterclasses facilitated by industry leaders and will be attended by the 12 finalists and the three wildcards. The culmination visual arts exhibition and showcase will take place on Saturday, 8 October, when the winner of the main prize, a fully paid scholarship to study at an arts institution of their choice in South Africa, will be announced.
‘In 100 years from now, it will not matter the house I lived in, the car I drove and not even the size of my bank account; but what will be of utmost importance will be to have made a positive difference to another person’s life, especially a child. The principle and emphasis is about investing in our youth, or next generation, with the faith that when we do it well, they can also do the same for their next generations. In so doing we ensure sustainable development in a true sense. Arts and culture remains an integral part of our society, livelihoods and heritage as a country, or global village. It is also an opportunity to contribute towards the National Development Plan 2030, including the Sustainable Development Goals by virtue of ethos and principles embedded in this broad development agenda. With the economic impact it has especially on the tourism industry, which is our core business, one can only express gratitude for the privilege of playing a part in nurturing talent – not only for today’s generation’s pleasure but also for those of the future,’ adds Khumo Magano, Head of SED, Community and Stakeholder Engagement at Sun International.
Diarise the ACT NPS open-call details and start paving your way to a brighter future. #ACTnyoloha #actstrat #ACTSAtalent #NedbankArtsAffinity
ENDS
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Over 28 years of arts support
The ACT is South Africa’s premier independent arts development and investment organisation. ACT’s main focus is to increase the capacity for arts and culture initiatives to create sustainable futures, through development and investment in innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured development programmes, ACT provides support to all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre and dance, and the support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education and arts administration. For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on Twitter or like their Facebook page.
ABOUT NEDBANK
In partnership with the ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity has donated more than R26 million to support over 830 arts, culture and heritage development projects countrywide. If you want to make a difference to the lives of talented young artists in South Africa, simply link your Nedbank Greenbacks to the Arts Affinity and Nedbank will donate money to ACT, at no cost to you. The Arts Affinity currently supports the ACT Thuthukisani Programme and the ACT Tlholo Project. For more information, download the Nedbank Money app, visit any Nedbank branch, call us on 0860 555 111 or visit nedbankarts.co.za.
ABOUT SUN CITY
Sun City resort in North West Province is world famous for its hotels, golf courses, casino and wide choice of leisure and entertainment facilities. The resort is as popular today as it was when it first opened in December 1979, and it remains the flagship for the premium Sun International hospitality group.
Accommodation includes the iconic 334-room Palace of The Lost City, the 241-room five-star Cascades Hotel, the 380-room Cabanas Hotel and the Bush Bungalows with 14 chalets. The 340-room four-star Sun City Hotel is the first choice for people who enjoy the casino and other nightlife activities, while the Sun Vacation Club is now a leading timeshare model in the country.
Leisure activities include the Lost City and the Gary Player 18-hole golf courses, home to the premier Nedbank Golf Challenge, swimming pools at every hotel, The Royal Baths, Valley of Waves, Waterworld Lake, Maze of the Lost City, a zip slide, Segway tours, the Segaetsho Cultural Village, tennis courts and the neighbouring Pilanesberg National Park.
The property also offers modern, fully equipped conferencing, banqueting and eventing facilities, an entertainment Welcome Centre, a multi-purpose arena and a wide and varied range of restaurants, bars and fast-food eateries.
About Sun International
The Sun International brand has a proud legacy in the gaming, hospitality, conferencing, leisure and entertainment sectors.
Sun International’s iconic properties, such as the world-famous Palace of The Lost City Hotel at Sun City and the magnificent Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town – situated on the water’s edge of the V&A Waterfront – have become synonymous with luxury, comfort and outstanding service, firmly establishing the group’s position as an internationally recognised premium brand.
Sun International’s diverse South African property portfolio includes 15 hotels, two premier resorts and 11 well-located casinos – all of which offer modern, fully equipped conferencing and banqueting facilities, while the Sun Vacation Club at Sun City is now a leading timeshare model in the country.
The group is also the local industry leader in online gaming. Thanks to the latest global technology, betting through its SunBet platform, Sun International also offers the most innovative and exciting online betting experience available.
The group has also set the standard for hosting events, and their world class Arenas remain the preferred venues for international events and shows. The three championship golf courses at the Sun City and Wild Coast Sun resorts regularly host large-scale golfing tournaments, including the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, which is now part of the European Tour.
Whatever the activity, all Sun International’s properties and facilities offer a quality experience supported by authentic personal service. MVG guests are rewarded with exclusive offers and preferential rates through the Most Valued Guest loyalty programme, designed exclusively for Sun International gaming patrons.
In February 2021, Sun International joined Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of an award-winning, multi-brand loyalty programme called ‘Discovery’. Through GHA, Sun International can now participate in a network with 17 million members that operate in 85 countries.
Sustainability and community involvement form an integral part of the Group’s corporate culture. Through collaborative partnerships with government and local business, Sun International’s SED and environmental initiatives ensure scarce environmental resources are never wasted; and the group is committed to providing ongoing and meaningful support to vulnerable communities throughout South Africa.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a comprehensive Covid-19 Policy and Health plan was implemented across all business units to safeguard the safety of guests, staff and concessionaires. In November 2020, Sun International received an award from The Institute of Risk Management South Africa, in recognition of the extensive and world-standard Covid-19 controls introduced across all of our hotel and casino properties. Sun International is also a recipient of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s global Safe Travels Stamp of approval.