It was a night of glamour, anticipation and creative verve as sponsors, adjudicators, mentors, Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) alumini, arts practitioners, members of the public, family and friends gathered at in the Mardi Gras Theatre, Carnival City on Saturday, 28 September 2023. They joined together to watch the showcase performance by the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) performing arts finalists, followed by the announcement of the winners of the ACT NSP Performing Arts and Digital/Visual Arts categories. The 15 finalists stood a chance to win one of two fully paid scholarships valued at R300 000 each to study towards an arts degree at a South African arts institution of their choice.
Excitement mounted as the MC for the Awards, Gamelihle Bovana and Arts & Culture Trust CEO, Jessica Denyschen took to the stage to announce the winner of the Nyoloha Digital/Visual Arts scholarship: Bonolo Nyatshane from North West. The tension in the theatre was electric as the name of the winner of the Nyoloha Performing Arts scholarship: Kgabo Tauatsoala from Gauteng followed. The pouring of congratulations and applause was deafening.
A year-long internship at Moving into Dance was awarded to Ntokozo Malope from Gauteng. Charaé Halley, Head of the Market Theatre Laboratory (MTL), invited Mpumelelo Dlamini, from Mpumalanga, Nosipho Thabede from Kwazulu Natal, Zime Silinda from Gauteng, and Nosipho Nhlapo from Gauteng – 4 of the finalists in Performing Arts category – to audition for a chance to win a scholarship for the 2025 performance programme at the MTL. The scholarship winners also received a Huawei MatPad T and Samsung gear sponsored by MTN and all 15 finalists each received a goodie bag from MTN.
Both winners are grateful to ACT, the sponsors and their fellow finalists for the recognition their Awards bring. Their hard work and dedication has paid off, making their futures brighter. ‘I’m very appreciative of this opportunity that ACT has given and I am proud of all the finalists. Thank you for the opportunity, and for providing a platform to express ourselves,’ said Bonolo Nyatshane, the visual/digital arts scholarship winner. The performing arts scholarship winner Kgabo Tauatsoala was overwhelmed with emotion, saying, ‘First and foremost, glory be to God. I am truly grateful for the strength God has given me throughout this journey. I would like to thank my mom, my fellow cast members, the artistic director and ACT for their incredible support. A big thank you to the judges as well—I deeply appreciate this recognition.’
The audience and exhibition visitors were very impressed by the quality, originality and dedication of the finalists to their respective crafts. The visual artists are exhibiting their works of art at MTN’s Head Offices in Fairland (Phase 2) and members of the public are invited to show their support by visiting the exhibition which will be up intil the end of November 2024, and by emailing niel.nortje@mtn.com.
The presented artworks, movement, dance and song was touching and impactful as the finalists articulated their perspectives on the present and the future while showing societal transformation through their creative expressions as they took the audience on a journey with their interpretation of this year’s theme of “NyolohaAfrica: Our Canvas, Our Voice, Our Future.
Local alent excelled both on and off stage. Young and upcoming designer, Thato Mahlangu, the winner of the ACT NSP designer competition created the costumes for participants showcasing their talents at the prestigious ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Finals event.
“Untapped talent abounds throughout this country and it is through an initiative such as the ACT NSP and the ongoing unwavering commitment by our sponsors Nedbank, Sun International, MTN and BASA and the support from members of the arts and culture industry, that we are able to begin to develop futures for young artists and performers.’ says Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT. ‘Congratulations to the finalists and the winners. Nyoloha means ‘to rise’ in Sesotho. We believe the life and creative lessons these rising stars learned through the ACT NSP will positively impact them personally and give them a platform to rise to the top of their creative careers.’
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, MTN, BASA, Moving Into Dance and the Market Theatre Laboratory. The Arts & Culture Trust has been offering scholarships since 2009.
Through the programme, talented and ambitious young people from across the country are introduced to the world of professional arts through a 3 month intensive training and mentorship period resulting in an a week of rehearsals, excursions and master classes, culminating in a performance showcase and exhibition. Working with industry professionals and experts, participants gain valuable experience and the opportunity to work with other future artists from different backgrounds. To find out more about the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, visit act.org.za/nyoloha.
This year the Arts & Culture Trust celebrates 30 years as South Africa’s premier independent arts development and investment organisation and a milestone 30 year partnership with Nedbank. “Our long term partnership with Nedbank has created ongoing creative opportunities over three decades through programmes such as the NSP, thereby blending business and art in new ways, for the benefit of for emerging artists, arts practitioners and the arts and culture industry as a whole.” says Jessica Denyschen. “We thank Nedbank Sun International, MTN and all our sponsors and supporters for their enormous contributions to the ACT and for making our programmes accessible to South Africans.”
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head for Corporate Social Investment (CSI) at Nedbank, says: ‘Congratulations to the outstanding winners, we know you will excel at your higher education institutions of choice and we look forward to sharing your journey. Just as Nyoloha means ‘to rise’, all of the 15 of the finalists are our rising stars, as are all the other participants in the 80-Strong mentorship programme that led up to the finale. I’d like to share some insights about what this scholarship has meant to our 2023 scholarship winners. The 2023 Visual and Digital Arts Category winner, Azanda Nyangintsimbi, is currently pursuing a fine arts degree at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. He says: ‘Being awarded the scholarship was a pivotal moment for me; it was incredibly validating to have my potential recognised and it enabled me to come to Michaelis.’ The 2023 Performing Arts Category winner, Naledi Lebelo is pursuing a music diploma at the Campus of Performing Arts in Midrand. She says: ‘I have always loved music and wanted to be a musician. My mother was concerned about my pursuing such a challenging career, but after I won the Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha Scholarship, she is super proud of me and very supportive of my pursuing a music qualification.’ Their responses speak to why Nedbank sponsors the scholarship and why we sponsor other ACT programmes to elevate arts and culture in our society so that it is recognised as a critical sector of the economy and a viable career.’
Niel Nortjé, Manager of the MTN Art Collection says: ‘It was such a tremendous pleasure and privilege to have worked with curator, Zanele Mashumi, and the group of NSP Fine Art finalists when their exhibition was being installed at MTN’s Head Offices. The response to the exhibition has been overwhelmingly positive, with some sales recorded already at opening night. The MTN SA Foundation believes in valuable strategic partnerships, such as with the ACT, that enables opportunities for young creatives from across the art disciplines to contribute towards the socio-economic development of the arts and culture sector. We are especially proud of this year’s scholarship winners and wish to congratulate, and sincerely thank, all the finalists and mentors for how each of them has inspired us. We look forward to seeing how you continue to rise, inspire, and contribute towards the sector and wish you all the very brightest of futures.
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International, says: ‘We are especially delighted to host this year’s dazzling gala showcase at Carnival City, one of Sun International’s reputable venues for hosting the country’s biggest live events. Every year I am blown away by the highly talented Nyoloha finalists and their unprecedented high level of superior performance and presentation of artworks. The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme gives talented young people the opportunity to expand, develop and believe in their talents. Sun International is extremely proud and grateful to be part of the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship journey and is elated for all the finalists and of course the two winners. We are committed to supporting the ACT in the important and impactful work they do and we look forward to growing this partnership. Congratulations to all the finalists and to the ACT Team!’
Let’s keep #ImpACTingFutures for tomorrow! To keep in touch with the ACT, visit their website, follow them on X or like their Facebook page.
