The judges selected six pupils after taking in more than 700 performances in the race for the scholarships offered by the trust in association with Dalro and Nedbank.
“This year’s programme is one of firsts,” said trust programmes co-ordinator Deidre Schoeman.
“The regional rounds attracted participation of more than 180 candidates, the highest number since the inception of the programme in 2009, and for the first time, regional auditions were held in Kimberley and Nelspruit, extending the already vigorous search for talent [that took place] in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.”
Dalro theatrical administrator Jade Bowers said an extra day had to be added to the Eastern Cape leg to cope with the increased number of candidates.
“In search of the ultimate triple-threat, regional judges [looked] for pupils with passion and talent in singing, dancing and acting,” she said.
This year’s finalists are Phindile Dube from KwaZulu-Natal, Katlego Nche from Kimberley, Mphumzi Nontshinga and Mbasa Soga from East London, Usisipho Nteyi from Port Elizabeth, and Anja Taljaard from Cape Town.
“It’s wonderful to see that candidates from under-served areas have a serious appetite for the programme and demonstrated that talent can be found in the most unlikely of places,” said Schoeman.
The finalists will undergo training by and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for their major performance at the University of Johannesburg Arts and Culture Centre later this year.
An independent panel of judges will then select the three winners who will receive scholarships to the value of R150 000, R105 000, and R60 000 respectively.
The winners will be at liberty to study any performing arts course at any accredited South African tertiary education institution.
“The scholarships programme is one example of how Nedbank improves the lives of South Africans,” said the bank’s head of cause marketing, Maseda Ratshikuni.
“We are proud to play a role in the development of the careers of young performers.”
Details: www.act.org.za
