FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 JUNE 2024
The Arts & Culture Trust announces qualifying participants for the annual ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme – proudly supported by Nedbank and Sun International.
The 2024 Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) is a partnership between ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity and sponsors Sun International, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), and MTN South Africa offering matriculants, school-leavers and budding arts practitioners the opportunity to be awarded 1 of 2 fully paid undergraduate scholarships to study at a South African arts institution of their choice in 2025. A total of 302 applications from candidates across South Africa were received.
The qualifying applicants in each of the arts disciplines are as follows:
ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
Participants selected for performing arts:
Austin Lee September (Western Cape), Bonolo Khanye (Free State), Buhle Funani (Gauteng), Dineo Makua (Mpumalanga), Griffies Nkhahle (Eastern Cape), Hlombe Languza (Gauteng), Junior Ndumiso Mnisi (Mpumalanga), Karabo Mokhwibitjane (Gauteng), Katelyn Cruden (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Keakgantsa Ntuli (Gauteng), Keamogetswe Maringa (Gauteng), Kearabetswe Mpho Kgwadi (Free State), Kgabo Elizabeth Tauatsoala (Gauteng), Kgopolang KG Moyo (Gauteng), Khanya Maji (Eastern Cape), Khulekani Jethro KJ Nxumalo (Gauteng), Khulekani Ntshuntsha (Eastern Cape) Leponesa Mokwena (Free State), Lihle Lijadu Gavern Mahlangu (Gauteng), Mandla Ngwane (Gauteng), Mpilo Zandamela (Gauteng), Mpumelelo Dlamini (Mpumalanga), Nhlonipho Mashiane (Mpumalanga), Noluvo Vava (Western Cape), Nomfundo Surprise Lehlongwa (Mpumalanga), Nomvuselelo Lucy Mahlangu (Gauteng), Nosipho Nhlapo (Gauteng), Nosipho Thabede (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Nthole Comfort Maine (Gauteng), Ntokozo Malope (Gauteng), Olwethu Nkonyane (Gauteng), Ravonne Naidoo (Gauteng), Refilwe Mokgale (Gauteng), Rethabile Mafalala (Eastern Cape), S’Qalo Amandla Nhleko (Gauteng), Sibongiseni Daniel (Gauteng), Silondokuhle Cebekhulu (Gauteng), Sinelizwi Miza (Eastern Cape), Teboho Tsoenyane (Free State), Thabo Enock Stuurman (Gauteng) Thando Lucky Ndala (Gauteng), Thulisile Nolizwi Manciya (Western Cape), Triston Briyan Jeptha (Free State), Tsholofelo Moeketsi (Gauteng), Zandile Zanele Matonsi (Mpumalanga), Zazi Bailey (Free State), Zime Silinda (Gauteng), and Ziyanda Ndawo (Kwa-Zulu Natal).
Participants selected for visual/digital arts:
Alexander Berry (Gauteng), Amina Bux (Western Cape), Anke Gaugler (Western Cape), Ayanda Dube (Gauteng), Bonolo Nyatshane (North West), Bontle Omphile Thabede (Mpumalanga), Firdows Dawjee (Gauteng), Hephzibah Nozuko Makha (Gauteng), Jordan Esterhuizen (Gauteng), Josh Hewitt (Free State), Joy Florrice (Gauteng), Juan-Ridge Isaacs (Western Cape), Katlego Diseko (Gauteng), Katleho Gumede (Gauteng), Lesedi Majola (Gauteng), Leshata Kevin Gololo (Mpumalanga), Logan Nathan (Western Cape), Luxolo Peter (Western Cape), Luyanda Ndimande (Mpumalanga), Mokabane Phaishi (Limpopo), Neo Zakharia Folotsi (North West), Ntando Mabaso (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Olothando Blouw (Western Cape), Phillipine Mokgadi Nkgudi (Gauteng), Siphesihle Madlala (Gauteng), Thandiswa Duma (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Thato Matsheru (Gauteng), Thulisile Eunice Ntuli (Mpumalanga), Tiafalo Kekana (Gauteng) and Zakirah Nicolaas (Western Cape).
ACT Nyoloha Training Programme
Participants selected for performing arts:
Asanele Tibisono (Western Cape), Avela Nxonose (Gauteng), Bongani Radebe (Gauteng), Gabriella L’etang (Gauteng), Lindani Blessing Shozi (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Luyanda Maseko (Mpumalanga), Mathakha Dzimbale (Mpumalanga), Mbalenhle Ngubeni (Gauteng) Kabelo Michael Setona (Gauteng), Mpho Kgomokoana (Gauteng), Neo Naome (Mpumalanga), Nonhlanhla Hlatshwayo (Gauteng), Nontshola Khumalo (Gauteng), Obakeng More (Free State), Pfunzo Percy Mahafha (Gauteng) Philansande Mpanza (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Rozelle Philander (Gauteng), Siphesihle Mayephu (Gauteng), Siphosethu Nananji Mhlongo (Gauteng), Swaziland Thandy Sekwane (Mpumalanga), Thapelo Monkhe (Mpumalanga) and Tokelo Makatile (Gauteng).
Participants selected for visual/digital arts:
Asanda Msabala (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Avuyile Ntwanambi (Western Cape), Bonginkosi Muchanga (Gauteng), Hlomola Thabang Mokoena (Mpumalanga), Kamohelo Molefe (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Naledi Makhosazane Mahomane (Gauteng), Nombuzo Nokhele (Gauteng) and Sthembiso Sinobami (Kwa-Zulu Natal).
The programme commenced on 8 June with bi-weekly online training running until mid-August 2024. All the artists who passed the audition round will receive 3 months of professional training and mentorship. Artists will be rated by their mentors monthly and those performing the best over this 3-month period will qualify for 1 of the 15 finalist spots.
Zanele Mashumi is the Visual and Digital Arts Mentor and Grant Towers is the Performing Arts Assistant Mentor. They are joined by seasoned musical theatre actress, singer, and dancer Samantha Peo, who makes her return to the programme as Head Performing Arts Mentor, working closely with Grant Towers to support the roll-out of the performing arts training component.
The finals week will be held from 23 September, culminating in an exhibition and showcase at a gala event on the 28 September 2024 when the winners of the performing arts category and visual or digital arts category will be announced. Each winner will receive a fully paid scholarship valued at up to R300 000 to study at an arts institution of their choice in South Africa.
The theme for the 2024 ACT NSP is #NyolohaAfrica: Our canvas, our voice, our future. It’s time to reimagine South Africa through the voices and creativity of the ACT NSP candidates. Think African modes of storytelling, performance, and visual art connected with immersive technologies. This theme aims to propel the significant responsibility and collaborative role that the ACT and its partners play in positively shaping the futures of South African youth by encouraging them to be proactive agents of a digital, innovative and sustainable future through art.
‘In Sesotho, Nyoloha means “to rise” and the ACT NSP is an integral part of the ACT strategy to educate, upskill and empower those wishing to make a career in the arts and culture sector to rise to the opportunity,’ says ACT CEO Jessica Denyschen. ‘We are enormously proud of our previous ACT Programme finalists and winners who have made significant progress pursuing their arts career choice to become meaningful industry contributors and role models. We are excited to see this year’s incredible emerging talent join this ever-growing pool of talented, rising young South Africans.’
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment at Nedbank, says: ‘Congratulations to all the wonderful talented young artists selected for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship’s mentorship and training programme. We cannot wait to see how you all grow and attain new levels of artistry and self-development over the next 3 months. You are our rising stars and we believe in you and your ability. We know that through the mentorship programme, you will take giant leaps in pursuing your ambitions, dreams and careers.’
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development Specialist at Sun International, says: ‘Sun International is delighted to continue to be a partner of the ACT NSP. ACT’s work does not only upskill young people in the arts and culture sector, it also offers candidates the opportunity to interact with mentors, thereby learning life lessons directly from people who are experts in various artistic fields. Education is key to success and we congratulate the qualifying candidates, while wishing them every success in the next step of ACT NSP.’
ACT, together with its NSP partners strongly believes in helping to build a better, more educated, 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.
To keep in touch with the ACT, visit their website, follow them on X(formerly Twitter), or like their Facebook page. ENDS
#ACTnyoloha #NyolohaAfrica #ACTSAtalent #Nedbank #NedbankArts #SunInternational #BizArt #actstrat
ENDS
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Over 30 years of arts support – Arts & Culture Trust
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, visit the ACT website, follow them on X 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 Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, 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 Business and Arts and 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. BASA champions business investment within the arts and cultural and heritage sector, driving focused and sustained partnerships by unlocking shared value and fostering social cohesion. For more information, 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 now a leading timeshare model in the country.
The group is also a local industry leader in online gaming, offering the latest global technology in 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, all Sun International’s properties and facilities offer a quality experience supported by authentic personal service. Most Valued Guest (MVG) are rewarded with exclusive offers and preferential rates through the MVG loyalty programme, designed exclusively for Sun International gaming patrons.
Sun International’s MVG programme celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, making it the oldest loyalty programme in the country. In February 2021, Sun International joined the 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.
About MTN South Africa
Launched in 1994, MTN South Africa is a subsidiary of MTN Group, a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy is ‘Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress’.
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