FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 19 September 2024
The Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha Scholarship Programme announces costume and fashion designer winner
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is proud to announce that young and upcoming designer, Thato Mahlangu, is selected as the winner of the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme costume and fashion designers gala performance finals event collaboration competition. Mahlangu, will have the opportunity to design costumes for participants showcasing their talents at the prestigious ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Finals Gala Showcase on 28 September 2024 at Carnival City.
The young designer responded to an open call made to costume designers to become part of a significant event that celebrates the arts and empowers young talent. As the event costume designer, Thato Mahlangu will play a vital role in bringing the performances to life through her creative vision and expertise for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship. This presents a great opportunity for this new creative to gain awareness and exposure – both on and off the stage.
The competition targeted Gauteng-based costume designers with a passion for the arts, a flair for creativity and a keen eye for detail. Selected from multiple entries by esteemed judges Nthabiseng Malaka, the co-designer for Disney’s The Magic Box and brand consultant and fashion industry expert, Leon Haasbroek; Mahlangu, will work closely with the programme’s artistic director, ensuring that the costumes align with the overall artistic vision for the showcase.
Mahlangu puts her heart and soul into every design, ensuring that each piece is thoughtfully crafted. She believes that learning is a lifelong journey and eagerly embraces new experiences and projects as opportunities to grow and expand her skills. Her love for fashion design began in grade two, and her passion for costume design blossomed in her first year out of high school, during an internship in the wardrobe department of the BET mini-series “Madiba.” Having been involved in running a part-time fashion business for seven years Mahlangu recently relaunched her fashion label, Ghetto Royalty Creations. She is delighted to move into designing for performance artist while bringing her designer talent and skills to the stage at the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship event showcase.
The purpose of the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme is to nurture new talent, even in fields outside the traditional performance arts spectrum, such as the fashion designer’s category, but keeping within the arts and culture sector. According to Jessica Denyschen, Chief Executive Officer of ACT, last year’s introduction of a costume designers’ competition into the Nyoloha Scholarship Programme attracted many aspiring designers who were enthusiastic about displaying their creativity and skills. “This year’s open call has drawn and even larger pool of creatives eager to showcase their talents. The judges had a difficult choice and we are proud to welcome Thato to this year’s event and wish her success as shows her creativity and talents while also inspiring other young designers.”
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme is an undergraduate scholarship programme, aimed at providing opportunities for school leavers to pursue a tertiary qualification in the visual and performing arts. In partnership with Nedbank, Sun International, the Market Theatre, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), ACT has offered scholarships since 2009. Following a 2-year interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 relaunch of the programme was introduced in partnership with long-term sponsors and partners of ACT, Sun International and Nedbank, as well as MTN South Africa, and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), under a new organisational strategy. ‘
Through the ACT Nyoloha programme, qualifying talented and ambitious young candidates from across the country are introduced to the world of professional arts. Having started on 8 June, biweekly online training with qualifying candidates are running until mid-August 2024. Artists will be rated by their mentors monthly and those performing the best over this 3-month period will qualify for one of the 15 finalist spots.
The finalists will undergo an intensive week of training, talks and performances, culminating in a showcase and exhibition. Working with industry professionals and experts, participants gained valuable experience and the opportunity to work with other future artists from different backgrounds.
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment at Nedbank, said: ‘We are excited to see what Thato Mahlangu designs for the finalists to wear on the scholarship gala night. It is a huge event and a superb showcase for her wonderful talent. Creativity in all its forms is one of South Africa’s greatest riches and it should be a thriving economic and employment growth sector. ACT and Nedbank are working together to raise awareness about the Cultural and Creative Industries’ worth and value chain as it needs to offer our dynamic young creatives a sustainable career path.’
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International, says: “At Sun International, our dedication to fostering talent in the arts and culture sector is unwavering. Our enduring partnership with ACT has provided us with the privilege of witnessing the transformative impact of investing in young creatives. Over the years, this collaboration has not only nurtured emerging talent but has also played a crucial role in enriching and expanding the arts and culture economy. Through initiatives like the Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, we remain committed to cultivating an environment where creativity flourishes, enabling future generations to fully explore and realize their artistic potential.”
Niel Nortjé, Manager of the MTN Art Collection, says: “It is always a pleasure to see a young deserving creative be awarded an opportunity to shine on a public platform and showcase her talent. The MTN Foundation’s involvement with the ACT’s Nyoloha Scholarship programme also allows us to execute on our strategic deliverable for the development of training and employment opportunities aimed at our youth. We are proud of Thato and look forward to seeing her creations grace the performers and stage, for the NSP Gala Showcase, and wish her all the very best for this upcoming endeavour.”
The prestigious ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Finals Gala Showcase on 28 September 2024 at Carnival City promises to be a spectacular occasion where the talents of many young people are combined to show how tomorrow’s creatives are shining brightly today.
#ACTnyoloha #ImpACTingfutures #ACTSAtalent #Nedbank #NedbankArts #SunInternational #BizArt #actstrat
ENDS
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BIOGRAPHIES:
Thato Mahlangu
Thato Mahlangu, believes that life is better when lived in light, brightness, and full color. A creatively inclined individual with a passion for the arts, She has a keen eye for detail and specializes in creating visually captivating designs, both in costume and fashion design. Her work is known for making bold statements and speaking volumes through its intricate craftsmanship. Mahlangu, has been running a fashion business part-time for seven years and has recently relaunched her fashion label, Ghetto Royalty Creations. Her love for fashion design began in grade two, and her passion for costume design blossomed in her first year out of high school, during an internship in the wardrobe department of the BET mini-series “Madiba.” Thato puts her heart and soul into every design, ensuring that each piece is thoughtfully crafted. She believes that learning is a lifelong journey and eagerly embraces new experiences and projects as opportunities to grow and expand her skills.
Nthabiseng Malaka
Nthabiseng Malaka is a South African theatre-maker who works across stage, film and television as a costume designer, scenographer, production designer, art director, set dresser as well as props master.
Malaka graduated from Wits with a BA in dramatic arts. She is currently working at The Centre for The Less Good Idea as the scenographer and costume designer and has worked in numerous theatre productions across the different theatre spaces in Gauteng including the Market Theatre, Joburg Theatre, and Soweto Theatre.
In 2023 she was chosen as one of the 3 set designers of an international programme ran in collaboration with Scenography Today, Opera for Peace and UNITA for the future, where Christian Schmidt mentored her.
Since 2020 she has collaborated with the artist William Kentridge through The Centre for the Less Good Idea and, more recently, with The Head & The Load in Johannesburg. In early 2020 she was mentored by the internationally renowned costume designer Greta Goiris. She went on to design sets and costumes for seasons 8, 9 and 10 of The Centre as well as create Goraa Goreng? – a project that incorporated scenography as installation.
Through her work with theatre, she has received Naledi Theatre Award nominations for her costume design and set design work. She has been with The Magic Box since its first premiere in Bueno Aires, Argentina, in 2023.
Leon Haasbroek, Executive Director of LJHPR
Leon Haasbroek was responsible for Naomi Campbell’s appearance at the 2019 Forbes Leading Women Summit and has an extensive global footprint in the modelling industry. He collaborates closely with South African Fashion Week, ensuring the placement of influential guests in the front row to enhance brand equity and capture the perfect media moments. Additionally, he has pioneered the inclusion of TikTok influencers as front-row guests at South African Fashion Week, leveraging digital content creators to drive aspirational messages to a broader audience, especially in the post-Covid-19 landscape. Notable clients include renowned designers JJ Schoeman and Palesa Mokubung of Mantsho, as well as celebrities like Margo Fargo, Sandile Mahlangu, and Jonathan Boynton-Lee.
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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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SUBMITTED BY: Debra de Souza, debranne@icon.co.za, WhatsApp calls only: +27 82 822 9478.
Jeni Fletcher, jenifletcher@icit.co.za, 082 825 5718
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