FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 September 2025
ACT Nyoloha Scholarship finals: Celebrating the next generation of South African creative talent
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) is entering its final stage, and excitement is mounting for the 2 signature events of the programme, namely the ACT NSP Exhibition and the ACT NSP Performing Arts Gala Showcase.
This year, ACT is proud to present the Visual Arts Exhibition at the MTN Head Office in Fairland, Johannesburg, on Thursday, 9 October 2025. The celebration will continue the following day with the Performing Arts Gala Showcase at the Market Lab in Johannesburg.
The exclusive invitation-only Visual Arts Exhibition and Gala Showcase will see industry leaders, select media, producers, and corporate partners engage with the next generation of talent. Scholarships of R300 000 each will be awarded to 2 outstanding young artists at these prestigious events. One artist from the performing arts and one from visual arts will have the opportunity to study at a South African arts institution of their choice. The gala performance will be live streamed to the rest of the country from the ACT social media channels.
The 60 participants hailing from across all 9 provinces making up the 2025 cohort have immersed themselves in intensive fortnightly training and mentorship. The visual artists have honed their craft under the guidance of Dahlia Maubane, award-winning photographer, multimedia designer, and arts facilitator. The performing artists have deepened their artistic expression and professional practice under the mentorship of award-winning musical theatre performer and practitioner Grant Towers.
From this remarkable group, 15 finalists have been selected to advance to the Nyoloha Finals Week. These young creatives will travel to Johannesburg for a fully sponsored, once-in-a-lifetime experience where they will participate in masterclasses, explore prominent art institutions, engage with industry leaders, and produce a professional theatre production and exhibition that will be followed by the reveal of the 2 winners. The 2 final events will be MCed by ACT Alumni and celebrated South African actor and comedian Philip Dikotla.
The Arts & Culture Trust is incredibly thankful to its long-term relationship partners, Nedbank and Sun International, whose continued support has resulted in growing artistic ecosystems and excellence in South Africa. The ACT NSP organisers are proud to have the MTN Foundation as a returning sponsor on board to bring a committed multi-year support for this programme. The ACT is grateful to Business and Arts South Africa, which has been supporting this programme since 2023.
Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT, commented: ‘The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme empowers young artists to develop and showcase their skills on professional platforms. Over the years, it has trained and mentored over 200 artists, provided numerous professional opportunities, and nurtured some of the country’s finest talents, including Candice Modiselle, Dillon Windvogel, Rick Baloyi, Tankiso Mamabolo and Pallance Dladla. We look forward to celebrating the 2025 finalists’ achievements at the gala showcase and visual arts exhibition’.
Niel Nortjé, Manager of the MTN Art Collection, says: ‘Congratulations to our 15 NSP finalists for 2025! We are very pleased and excited to be working with you again, especially the visual art finalists who will showcase and open their exhibition at the MTN Head Office. Our partnership and involvement with ACT and the NSP show our commitment to providing digital skills and career development opportunities to our unemployed youth in the arts sector’.
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment at Nedbank, said: ‘Selecting 15 finalists from 60 talented participants was no easy task. We hope all continue to grow and build fulfilling careers in the creative industry. Our sincere thanks to mentors Dahlia Maubane and Grant Towers for their dedication, and congratulations to the 15 finalists − we can’t wait to see your work in the finals’.
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International, says: ‘We believe in more than just opportunity − we believe in investing in potential. Each participant’s journey is not only a story of craft and perseverance, but also of voice and vision. It is inspiring to witness how these young creatives translate hope into practice, and we are proud to stand alongside them as they shape new narratives for our communities’.
The event may be live streamed via YouTube using this link: https://youtube.com/live/Utuay0nF-iA?feature=share.
ENDS
For media enquiries or additional information please contact:
Debra de Souza at debranne@icon.co.za or on +27 82 822 9478 (WhatsApp calls only).
______________________________________________________________________________
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. ACT’s primary aim 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’. Their strategy is ‘Ambition 2025 – Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.‘ Follow them on 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, with their world class arenas remaining 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 Guests (MVG) are rewarded with exclusive offers and preferential rates through the Sun 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
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. BASA 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, go to basa.co.za.