Surprise announcement by Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) stuns scholarship finalists
Not one but two finalists would possibly walk away with the R350 000 scholarship.
Guests and finalists excitedly attended the Arts & Culture (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme Awards on the evening of October 8. Waiting with bated breath one of the finalists from Randburg would receive one of the big awards.
Just before the big announcement ACT Interim CEO Jessica Denyschen made a surprise announcement. Denyschen revealed, “Not one, but two scholarships would be awarded, one in each of the art forms, namely Visual Arts and Performance Arts.”
Earlier this year, 89 young South Africans applied for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, and after auditions 54 were selected to attend a three-month online mentorship programme. A final cut was made and 15 finalists were selected to possibly walk away with a fully paid scholarship valued at R350 000 allowing them to study for an arts degree at a South African arts institution of choice. The scholarship was funded by Nedbank and Sun International and supported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA).
Sounds of joy and clapping arose after Liam Rose (20) from Randburg received the Visual Arts Scholarship Award. He thanked the ACT and Programme funders.
“We need more scholarships, there is a whole generation of young artists coming through. Thank you for giving me this responsibility, I will do my best to make the most of it,” said Rose.
Performing artist Marang Khwene (19) from Pretoria was awarded the winner of the Performing Arts discipline. Both scholarship winners completed their secondary schooling at the National School of the Arts (NSA).
“All 15 of the finalists deserved to win. I am hoping that arts organisations and agents attending the ceremony will take them further,” said artistic director Mapula Setlhako.
Heidi Edson head of SED (Socio-economic development) Sun International Group said she was blown away by and reminded of the immense talent in South Africa.
“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 winning artists. Congratulations to all the finalists and the ACT team.”
Denyschen explained ‘Nyoloha’ meant ‘to rise’ in Sesotho and told the finalists that they were the future of the arts and culture of South Africa.
“I sometimes wonder where we are going in our country until I see such amazing talent rising. Thank you to everyone who is behind our young people.”
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