The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is thrilled to reveal the names of the 15 exceptional finalists who will compete in its annual ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) final events. These prestigious events celebrate and support the talent of young visual and performing artists from across South Africa.
The ACT NSP is an annual 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 emerging arts practitioners the opportunity to win a fully paid undergraduate scholarship valued at R300 000 to study at a South African arts institution of their choice.
This year’s programme saw 111 participants benefit nationally, with the programme having kicked off in June 2024 and running through mid-August 2024. Bi-weekly online professional training and mentorship was provided to performing artists (singers, dancers, and actors) as well as visual artists. The participants were rated monthly by their mentors, and those who excelled over the three-month period have now earned one of the 15 coveted finalist spots to get them one step closer to earning the fully paid scholarship. The finalists for each discipline are as follows:
Performing Arts Finalists:
- Zime Silinda (Gauteng)
- Mpumelelo Dlamini (Mpumalanga)
- Nosipho Thabede (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Tsholofelo Moeketsi (Gauteng)
- Silondokuhle Cebekhulu (Gauteng)
- Keakgantsa Ntuli (Gauteng)
- Kgabo Elizabeth Tauatsoala (Gauteng)
- Sinelizwi Miza (Eastern Cape)
- Nosipho Nhlapo (Gauteng)
- Ntokozo Malope (Gauteng)
Visual Arts Finalists:
- Neo Zacharia Folotsi (North-West)
- Amina Bux (Western Cape)
- Ayanda Dube (Gauteng)
- Phillipine Mokgadi Nkgudi (Gauteng)
- Bonolo Nyatshane (North-West)
The final week of the ACT NSP begins with the Visual Arts Exhibition at the MTN Headquarters in Fairland, Johannesburg, opening on 26 September 2024. The public is invited to visit the exhibition after the opening. This leads to the highly anticipated ACT Nyoloha Gala Showcase, featuring performances by the performing arts finalists, which will be held on 28 September 2024 at the Mardi Gras Theatre, Carnival City. At the Gala Showcase, two winners—one from the visual arts and one from the performing arts—will be awarded scholarships valued at R300 000 each.
“The ACT NSP is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of South Africa’s young, vibrant, artistic talents, whose ambition it is to build a career in the arts and culture sector,” says ACT CEO Jessica Denyschen. “We are excited to provide a platform for these emerging artists to showcase their craft, connect with industry leaders, and gain the exposure needed to launch their careers. We encourage the public to join us in celebrating these incredible talents, with tickets available from R100 to attend the ACT Nyoloha Gala Showcase on 28 September 2024.”
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment at Nedbank, commented: ‘This is such an exciting, tense time of the year as we sprint towards the final event on 28 September and the highly anticipated gala showcase. I want to emphasise that while there are ultimately 15 finalists and 2 scholarship winners, all 111 participants in this year’s ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme have excelled and grown remarkably over the past few months of mentorship. You are our future rising stars, and we look forward to seeing you pursue your ambitions, dreams and careers.’
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International, adds: ‘Sun International is proud to partner with the ACT NSP. We fully support the impactful work the Arts & Culture Trust is doing to pave the way for brighter futures by creating a platform for the education and skill development of young talents in the arts and culture sector.’
Niel Nortjé, Manager of the MTN Art Collection, says: ‘We are proud of the finalists, and heartily congratulate them. Hosting the NSP’s Visual Arts Exhibition at the MTN Head Office allows employees, clients and stakeholders to not only engage with the emerging young talent, but also to buy their work and support the organisation’s strategic objective to participate in the socio-economic development of our disenfranchised youth. We wish all the finalists the very best!’
ACT, together with long-term partners Nedbank and Sun International, and returning partners MTN South Africa and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), believes in contributing to a more educated, sustainable arts industry in South Africa.
Tickets for the ACT Nyoloha Gala Showcase at Carnival City are available via Quicket from R100. Click here to buy your ticket now!
#ACTNyoloha #NyolohaAfrica #ACT30 #ACTSATalent #Nedbank #NedbankArts #SunInternational #BizArt #ACTstrat
