FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01 October 2025 – Arts & Culture Trust appoints young theatre innovator and curatorial leader
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) is entering its final stage, and anticipation is building for its 2 signature events: the Visual Arts Exhibition on Thursday, 9 October 2025 at the MTN Head Office in Fairland, Johannesburg; and the Performing Arts Gala Showcase on Friday, 10 October 2025 at The Market Lab in Johannesburg.
This year, ACT is proud to announce a dynamic new creative team leading these landmark events. Award-winning theatre innovator Mongezi Ntukwana will helm the Performing Arts Gala as Artistic Director, while visionary curator Zanele Mashumi will curate the Visual Arts Exhibition. Together, they bring fresh artistic leadership that promises to elevate the 2025 showcase and spotlight the brilliance of South Africa’s emerging creative voices.
Mongezi Ntukwana
Young theatre maker and director Mongezi Ntukwana is known for bold storytelling and producing award-winning theatre that engages with urgent social issues. He is an honours graduate in theatre and performance from Wits University, and the creator of the Naledi Award-winning Yangthola! and the daring production IZINYOKA! − which tackled South Africa’s electricity crisis. Ntukwana’s production The Hyena’s Tuckshop earned Best Script and Best Director at the 2025 National Children’s Theatre Young Directors Festival. He is also the founder of Aziye Productions and has participated in the prestigious Centre for the Less Good Idea incubator programme. His appointment as Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Gala promises a fearless, electrifying celebration of young performers.
Zanele Mashumi
Acclaimed curator Zanele Mashumi, founder of Mashumi Art Projects (MAP), will lead the curation of the Visual Arts Exhibition. Based in Johannesburg and Pretoria, Mashumi is known for bridging emerging artists with collectors and galleries, making art accessible and sustainable for young practitioners. With her focus on authentic African narratives, she ensures that artists documenting today’s culture and lived experiences are seen, collected and remembered. Under her guidance, the 2025 exhibition will be a vibrant tapestry of contemporary African expression, highlighting the vision and talent of South Africa’s rising visual artists.
Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT, commented: ‘At ACT, we are constantly inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with young talent whose creativity signals the future of the arts. This year, we are particularly excited to work alongside artists and leaders like Mongezi and Zanele; phenomenal choices who embody a forward-thinking, innovative spirit. Their vision reflects the very essence of the Nyoloha Scholarship Programme: to shape the next generation of South African creativity.’
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).
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About the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme finals events
The Nyoloha Scholarship Programme Gala Showcase is an exclusive, invitation only event where performing arts finalists will shine on stage. Following the Gala, the Visual Arts Exhibition will open to the public; inviting audiences to engage with South Africa’s emerging visual artists and show their support for the next generation of cultural trailblazers.
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.
Since the programme began in June 2025, 60 participants from all 9 provinces have immersed themselves in intensive training and mentorship. The visual arts cohort has honed its craft under the guidance of Dahlia Maubane, award-winning photographer, multimedia designer, and arts facilitator. The performing arts participants have been mentored by Grant Towers, seasoned actor and musical theatre practitioner. From this group, 15 finalists have been selected to advance to the Nyoloha Finals Week in Johannesburg.
During Finals Week, the finalists will participate in masterclasses, explore leading art institutions, and engage with industry leaders, all in preparation for the Visual Arts Exhibition and Gala Showcase.
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme continues to stand as a beacon of opportunity and transformation; empowering South Africa’s youth to rise, create, and inspire without limits.
About the Arts & Culture Trust – 31 years of supporting arts in South Africa
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 of 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.