For immediate release – 04 October 2023
Director and MC of the Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha Scholarship Programme Finals Evening announced
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is excited to announce the appointment of two prominent figures in the entertainment industry to lead this year’s ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) event, to be held at Joburg Theatre’s Lesedi Theatre on 7 October 2023. Candice Modiselle, a well-known public figure and past ACT scholarship finalist, will serve as MC, while Zolani Shangase, co-founder of Madevu Entertainment, will bring his creative vision to the event as artistic director.
Modiselle’s journey with ACT traces back to 2012 when she was selected as one of the six finalists in the then-ACT, DALRO, and Nedbank Performance Scholarship Competition. Since then, she has become a household name in South Africa, making significant contributions to the arts and culture scene.
Under the direction of Shangase, the performing arts finalists will be taken through the paces to present a dazzling dance, theatre and musical event where the two winners (performing arts and visual arts) of the ACT NSP will be announced. The event will showcase the remarkable talents of South Africa’s emerging artists who recently completed 3 months of training and who will participate in a week of masterclasses and activities leading to the finals event.
In 2020 Shangase and his company secured a prestigious residency with University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture. During this residency they developed the groundbreaking musical Hlakanyana, which garnered an impressive 8 Naledi Theatre Awards in 2023, including for Best Production of a Musical. Madevu Entertainment received support from the National Arts Council and an ACT music development grant funded by Nedbank.
The ACT NSP is an annual partnership between ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity, and sponsors Sun International and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), offering matriculants, and budding arts practitioners the opportunity to win an undergraduate scholarship worth R350 000 to study at a South African arts institution of their choice.
‘We are delighted to welcome back past ACT scholarship finalist Candice Modiselle and excited to work with Zolani Shangase, who brings his creativity, experience and vision to the event,’ says Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT. ‘Not only will the finalists learn a tremendous amount from these two personalities, but they will also walk away motivated and informed about the myriad of possible careers in the arts sector.
‘Zolani Shangase has been part of the ACT family since 2020 when he and his creative partner in Madevu Entertainment, Michael William Wallace, received, inter alia, an ACT music development grant, funded by Nedbank to help them develop what has become their world-class musical Hlakanyana,’ says Tobie Badenhorst, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank. ‘The combination of Zolani and Candice Modiselle who was an ACT |DALRO| Nedbank scholarship finalist in 2012 promises to make this an unforgettable alumni-inspired event.’
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development Specialist at Sun International, says that they are proud to be a partner of the ACT NSP. ‘It is particularly gratifying to watch the growth and development of the ACT NSP finalists both personally and in their selected arts field. Working with Candice and Zolani is truly inspirational. We know the finalists are in good hands to make the gala evening a night to be remembered for a long time.’
Tickets for the gala evening showcase are available for purchase from www.joburgtheatre.com. VIP tickets cost R250 per person, including welcome drinks and canapés. General-access tickets cost R150 per person and there is a special discount on block bookings of five or more persons.
#ImpACTingFutures #ACTnyoloha #ImpACTingfutures #ACTSAtalent #Nedbank #NedbankArts #SunInternational #BizArt #actstrat ENDS
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Tumelo Candice Modiselle is a colourful and passionate storyteller who has committed her career to cementing herself as an exemplary youth figure and multifaceted artist. Her love for the arts has elevated her to several local and international platforms as an actress and host. In 2016, while completing her honours degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, she was introduced to local audiences as a YOTV presenter and later that year became a household figure through her role as Lerato Mmatema on Generations: The Legacy.
Currently the face of BET Africa, she has featured in and led numerous productions, namely The Queen Mzansi, Impilo: The Scam and 2 Netflix productions: JIVA and Love, Sex, 30 Candles (for which she received a National Film and Television Awards nomination). Her personal career milestone was lending her voice acting talents to Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, a first-of-its-kind African anthology on Disney Plus.
She continues to nurture her craft in her pursuit to create African film and television that represents the diverse country that she lives in.
The storyteller, host and social entrepreneur was recently recognised as one of the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans 2023 for her impactful contributions throughout her career. Modiselle is also currently the executive producer and host of The Five Minute Call Show on YouTube, an information-sharing platform for emerging creatives that encourages diligence, growth, discipline and transparency in the entertainment industry.
In June 2021 Modiselle launched her jewellery brand in partnership with Nkanyiso Dlamini, called Sellé, an expression of her love for accessories in which she invites others to share. The collection features a variety of fun and fashionable pieces ranging from nose rings to unique earpieces and is looking to expand into other exciting items to elevate the style of the Sellé consumer.
Apart from the world of entertainment, Modiselle is driven by her contribution to skills development and vocational training for the youth, who she feels have been denied access to information that equips them for success. Using her skills and fast-growing platforms, she has committed herself to the education and the advancement of Africa’s future leaders and change agents. Most importantly, as someone who is a new creation in Christ, her heart and purpose are set on helping young people navigate their way through their hopelessness by sharing her testimony and the power of surrender through faith, by God’s grace.
Zolani ‘Treasure Star’ Shangase is a Pietermaritzburg-born actor, singer, dancer and creative who received formal training at the Tshwane University of Technology in the musical theatre department. Shangase is also Founder and Director of Madevu Entertainment, an independent company focused on collaboration and innovating for the future. Professional highlights include featuring in the We Will Rock You world tour; Kill Move Paradise at The Joburg Theatre; as Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Joburg Theatre in 2019; as Thami in My Children! My Africa! at the State Theatre, for which he received a Naledi Theatre Awards 2020 nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Play; in various roles in The Color Purple, including dance captain; as Chino in West Side Story; Tiger Bay at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff; as part of the ensemble and as cover for Simba in The Lion King West End; On The Road to Music, a solo show at the Joburg Theatre; The Rocky Horror Picture Show; the Show Boat UK tour; David Kramer’s Orpheus in Africa; Aladdin Pantomime; Frideric Handel’s Messiah; The Sound of Music; Goggas; in a lead role in Mzansi Magic’s first dance film, KeJive; and in the supporting role of D-Max in Hope. Upcoming telenovela productions include a short film, THANDO, in which he plays the lead role of Mase; African Dreams, in which he takes on the role of Melisizwe and which will premiere on SABC 1; and Lincoln International, a miniseries.
For Madevu Entertainment, Zolani has developed and directed 3 music videos: My Heart, featuring Leroy Mokgatle, which was commissioned by the Simon Nkoli Foundation; S16 Sulphur by Yanga Yaya; and most recently Like a drug by Andrei Damane. Shangase also served as co-producer and casting director for the short film Ihlazo, directed by Akuol De Mabior.
In 2020 Madevu Entertainment secured a residency with University of Johannesburg UJ Arts & Culture to develop a new musical, Hlakanyana, which has since received 8 Naledi Theatre Awards, including Best Production of a Musical, a highlight of a journey that started in 2020 when Shangase and Michael William Wallace, both of Madevu Entertainment, received a National Arts Council grant and an ACT music development grant funded by Nedbank. Zolani has composed and performed music in collaboration with the Viwe Mkizwana Ensemble. Zolani is proud to have been a mentor and facilitator of the 2021 Debut Programme for BASA in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. This youth-focused programme empowers youth form all 9 provinces of our creative country.
Over 29 years of arts support – Arts & Culture Trust
The ACT is South Africa’s premier independent arts development and investment organisation. Its 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, management, education as well as administration. For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) or like their Facebook page.
About Nedbank
In partnership with ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity has donated more than R28 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 about these initiatives, download the Nedbank Money app, visit any Nedbank branch, call 0860 555 111 or visit nedbankarts.co.za.
About Business and Arts South Africa
Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative between government and the private sector as part of a strategy to secure greater involvement in the arts and from businesses operating in South Africa. Constituted in terms of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008, BASA is registered as a public benefit organisation and champions business investment within the arts, cultural and heritage sector, driving focused and sustained partnerships by unlocking shared value and fostering social cohesion. For more information, please go to basa.co.za.
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, 2 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 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 3 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, Sun International’s properties and facilities offer a quality experience supported by authentic personal service. Sun International Most Values Guests (MVG) are rewarded with exclusive offers and preferential rates through the MVG loyalty programme, designed exclusively for Sun International gaming patrons.
In February 2021 Sun International joined the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), which is 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 and that operates 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 socioeconomic development and environmental initiatives ensure that 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 were implemented across all business units to safeguard the safety of guests, employees 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 its hotel and casino properties. Sun International is also a recipient of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s global Safe Travels Stamp of approval.