The Arts & Culture Trust announces the 2025 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme participants
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is proud to unveil the list of qualifying participants for the 2025 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) supported by Nedbank, Sun International, MTN South Africa, and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA). This exciting programme offers talented young South African performing, visual and digital artists the chance to win 1 of 2 undergraduate scholarships to a local arts institution of their choice in 2026.
This year, over 200 applications were received nationally. The ACT NSP is a key driver in ACT’s mission to empower youth and foster sustainable growth in the arts sector through mentorship, skills development, and career-building opportunities.
2025 ACT NSP participants
Northern Inland Provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng)
- Agrey Makoro (visual arts)
- Andiswa Booi (performing arts)
- Boitumelo Momakwe (performing arts)
- Cindi Ntombi Angel (performing arts)
- Dethaliah Mathala (visual arts)
- Dian Botes Prinsloo (visual arts)
- Dimpho Honey Moloi (performing arts)
- Dzunisani Mkhonto (visual arts)
- Jiyane Angel Samkelo (performing arts)
- Juniour Mafoko (performing arts)
- Katleho Pearl Mohafa (performing arts)
- Kelebogile Charntell Tsharo (performing arts)
- Kelebogile Moruti (performing arts)
- Kgalalelo Rakolle (performing arts)
- Khanyisa Dweba (visual arts)
- Khothatso Avril Moshoeshoe (performing arts)
- Lebohang Nozika Isabel Kolotsane (performing arts)
- Lerato Sithole (visual arts)
- Letodi Letsoalo (visual arts)
- Lulamani Khoza (performing arts)
- Mbali Tshegofatso Khumalo (performing arts)
- Naledi Tsomele (performing arts)
- Njabulo Moela (performing arts)
- Nqobile Alfetrina Sambo (performing arts)
- Nyakallo Samuel Sibanyoni (visual arts)
- Odirile Godfrey (visual arts)
- Ofentse Mokgiele (visual arts)
- Omphile Kelebogile Ditabo (visual arts)
- Pule Brian Banda (visual arts)
- Siphesihle Mongezi Somqayi (visual arts)
- Siyabonga Dhladhla (performing arts)
- Siyabonga Innocent Temba (performing arts)
- Teboho (visual arts)
- Tendani Ruth-Lynn Nthangeni (performing arts)
- Thabo Sibanda (visual arts)
- Tshiamo Kgomo (performing arts)
Central Inland & Western Provinces (North West and Free State)
- Mpho Sarah Simelane (performing arts)
- Renee Cassim (visual arts)
Coastal Provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape)
- Alutha Siyo (performing arts)
- Amuran Bester (visual arts)
- Ashwin Bennett (visual arts)
- Babalwa Awande Mkhize (performing arts)
- Duan Kika (performing arts)
- Emily Helen George (performing arts)
- Joshua Fick (visual arts)
- Khelan Jason Botha (performing arts)
- Lethabo Zenande Lumkwana (performing arts)
- Makabongwe Mbonele Mdletshe (performing arts)
- Mawande Okuhle Mthethwa (performing arts)
- Mthetheleli Ndlovu (performing arts)
- Mthokozisi Nyangiwe (performing arts)
- Noluthando Shandu (performing arts)
- Nonjabulo Patience Zulu (performing arts)
- Phiwe Kobeni (performing arts)
- Taitem Corrigan (performing arts)
- Velaphi Emmanuel Langa (performing arts)
- Wayde Solomons (performing arts)
- Yolisa Palesa Mokgopha (visual arts)
- Zamajobe Mpanza (performing arts)
- Zukisani Sizani (performing arts)
The programme commenced on 14 June 2025 and runs through to mid-August with biweekly online training sessions. Artists receive mentorship and professional development training, and top performers will be shortlisted for the finals week starting 5 October 2025, with this culminating in a gala event on 11 October 2025, where the 2 scholarship recipients will be announced.
This year’s theme, #NyolohaLimitless, is a call to imagine a present or future where the power of visual and performing arts is amplified by next-generation innovation and elevation. The #NyolohaLimitless hashtag speaks to the programme’s expansive outlook, where youth and creativity knows no bounds and digital technologies offer new, immersive pathways for artistic expression and audience engagement.
Mentors include Grant Towers (Performing Arts Assistant Mentor), and Dahlia Maubane (Visual and Digital Arts Mentor).
‘In Sesotho, Nyoloha means ‘to rise’, and the ACT NSP is a vital part of our strategy to empower the next generation of South African creatives,’ says Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT. ‘We are proud of our finalists and winners who continue to make strides in their careers.’
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment at Nedbank, adds: ‘So many talented young artists applied this year in all the categories, and we congratulate the qualifying participants. We know the programme and mentorship will change your lives in the best possible way, as it has for all those who have come before you. Not only for the finalist and winners, but for all the participants whose lives and careers are flourishing. We look forward to seeing you grow over the next few months. It’s an exciting time.’
‘Congratulations to our qualifying NSP participants! You now join a programme supported by legacy organisations with a future focus. The MTN Foundation and ACT partnership delivers on a strategic objective for both organisations to participate in the socioeconomic development of our disenfranchised youth, by accelerating digital transformation for art skills development and job creation, and to employ digital solutions for the cultural and creative industries,’ says Niel Nortje, Art Collection Manager at MTN.
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development Specialist at Sun International, says: ‘Education in the arts is not just important, it’s transformative as it nurtures talent, and builds confidence in youth. The ACT NSP, without a doubt, creates opportunities that can change lives and communities. We are incredibly proud to support this initiative and look forward to witnessing the participants’ growth, creativity, and the impact they will make in the world.’
Stay connected with ACT via their website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.
ENDS
#ACTnyoloha #NyolohaLimitless #ACTSAtalent #NedbankArts #SunInternational #BizArt #actstrat
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About the Arts & Culture Trust – 31 years of supporting arts in South Africa
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent development and art investment organisation. The primary aim of ACT 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. This support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education, and arts administration. Over the past 31 years ACT has supported more than 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide, including small businesses. For more information, please 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 R31 million over 31 years to support over 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide. If you would like to make a difference in 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, visit any Nedbank branch, call us on 0860 555 111 or visit nedbankarts.co.za.
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 their customers. They are inspired by their belief that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy is Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. Follow us: www.twitter.com/MTNza www.linkedin.com/company/mtn.
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 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. Most Valued 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), 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 socio-economic development 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 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.