The Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha Scholarship Programme winners announced
By CityLIfe Arts Writer
It was a night of glitz and glamour as sponsors, adjudicators, mentors, Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) alumni, members of the public, family and friends gathered at The Lesedi Theatre in the Joburg Theatre Complex on Saturday, 7 October 2023. They came to watch Abandize, the showcase by the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) performing arts finalists, followed by the announcement of the winners of the ACT NSP Performing Arts and Visual Arts categories. The 15 finalists stood a change to win 1 of 2 fully paid scholarships valued at R350 000 to study for an arts degree at a South African arts institution of their choice.
Excitement mounted as Gordon Froud, one of the NSP judges and a well-known artist, curator and lecturer, took to the stage to announce the winner of the Nyoloha Visual Arts scholarship: Azanda Nyangintsimbi (18) from Pretoria.
The tension in the theatre was palpable as Jessica Denyschen, CEO of Arts & Culture Trust, called out the winner of the Nyoloha Performing Arts scholarship: Naledi Lebelo (24) from Bloemfontein. The pouring of congratulations and applause was electric.
A year-long internship at Moving into Dance was awarded to Tintswalo Mahlakolisane while another year-long internship at Vuyani Dance Company was awarded to Bonoko Khoda, both whom hail from Johannesburg. Charaé Halley, Head of the Market Theatre Laboratory (MTL), invited Nsizwazakithi Mvubelo, Nonjabulo Kubheka, Thato Segodi, Mthobisi Khanyile, and Nicole Retief – 5 of the finalists in Performing Arts category – to audition for a 2024 internship at the MTL. The scholarship winners also received a Huawei MatPad T and Samsung gear and all 15 finalists each received a goodie bag from MTN.
‘This scholarship represents an essential stepping stone towards my educational and professional goals. It is not just about the monetary value; to me, this is a symbol of faith in my potential and abilities. It’s a sign that people believe in my dreams as much as I do, and it’s encouragement to keep pushing, keep striving, and keep growing,’ says Azanda Nyangintsimbi.’Winning this scholarship means I can focus more on my studies and expand my horizons into becoming the best version of myself. I pledge to use this scholarship to pursue my academic endeavors with commitment. Thank you so much for investing in my future and for making my dreams more achievable,’ Nyangintsimbi added.
Azanda Nyangintsimbi and Naledi Lebo are both grateful to ACT, the sponsors and their fellow finalists for the recognition their rewards bring.Their hard work and dedication has paid off, with the future looking bright. ‘The scholarship means that I get to study my number one passion, which is music. I am one step closer to becoming the artist I have always imagined myself to be. I get the chance to learn how to impact the hearts and minds of people through art. I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity. I am so humbled, honoured and incredibly blessed,’ says Naledi Lebelo.
The audience and exhibition visitors were suitably surprised by the quality, originality and dedication of the finalists to their respective crafts. Several well-known arts practitioners, such as award-winning actor David Dennis, remarked on the incredibly high standard of talent and artistic performances.
The visual artists are exhibiting their works of art at the MTN Innovation Centre for the next 2 weeks and we invite members of the public to please show their support by visiting the exhibition.
‘The presented artworks, movement, dance and song was touching and impactful while taking the audience on a different journey with each interpretation of this year’s theme, ImpACTingFutures. Untapped talent abounds in this country and it is only through an initiative such as the ACT NSP and the commitment by our sponsors Nedbank, SunInternational, BASA and MTN 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. We believe the life and creative lessons they have learned through the NSP will positively impact them personally and give them a platform to pursue their creative careers. We hope to one day see their names in lights.’
TheACT 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, SunInternational and the Market Theatre, ACT has been offering scholarships since 2009. Following a 2-year interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022relaunch of the programme was introduced in partnership with long-term sponsors and partners of ACT, Sun International and Nedbank, as well as Business andArts South Africa (BASA), under a new organisational strategy.
Through the programme, talented and ambitious young people from across the country are introduced to the world of professional arts through an intensive week of training, talks and performances, culminating in a 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.
Poovandran Pillay, Executive Head for Corporate Social Investment (CSI) at Nedbank, says: ‘Nyoloha means ‘to rise’in Sesotho, and that is what all the talented young people participating in this programme have done to forge a bright career for themselves in the arts and culture sector. Their individual talent, courage, commitment, and growth have made us so proud to be South African. ACT and Nedbank have been in partnership for 29 years, and the ACT and Nedbank scholarships have been active since 2009. We congratulate the wonderful 2023 winners, Naledi Lebelo and Azanda Nyangintsimbi,and we applaud the whole group as rising stars and legends who will elevate our country through the arts.’
Heidi Edson, GroupSocioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International, says: ‘Last year I was blown away by the highly talented Nyoloha finalists. But this year’s group has lifted the benchmark to an unprecedented high level of superior performance and presentation of artworks. The talent we have in this country is enormous but, sadly, most of it goes unrecognised or undeveloped. The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme gives talented young people the opportunity to expand, develop and believe in their talents. SunInternational 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 2 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 Twitter or like their Facebookpage.
#ACTnyoloha #ImpACTingFutures #ACTSAtalent#Nedbank #NedbankArts #SunInternational #BizArt #actstrat