SIX gifted Grade 12 scholars are one step closer to claiming their share of R800 000 to help realise their dream of studying the performing arts.
This incredible opportunity has been granted to them as part of the 8th annual Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarship Programme.
Since 2009, ACT has been supporting arts students through this Programme. The only difference this year is that there are more Scholarships on offer to Grade 12 scholars and first and second year university students than ever before.
Funded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), and supported by the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Organisation (DALRO) and the Nedbank Arts Affinity, the 2016 Scholarships Programme will change the lives of dramatic arts, singing, dance and musical theatre scholars and students with scholarships to the value of R800 000.
After a nationwide search, ACT has selected six Grade 12s from across the country. They are; Sibusiso Nhlapo (20) from Alberton, Gauteng, National School of the Arts; Tamzin Williams (17) from Cape Town, Western Cape, The Settlers High School; Thandaza Silwane (18) from Lady Grey, Eastern Cape, Lady Grey Arts Academy; Jeani Heyns (18) from Cape Town, Western Cape, Bloemhof Girls High; Virtuous Kandemiiri (17) from Centurion, Gauteng, Lyttelton Manor High School; and Robin Castle (17) East London, Eastern Cape, Stirling High School.
ACT CEO, Pieter Jacobs says of the six finalists: “It takes a rare combination of natural talent, potential for growth, charisma, and a bit of magic that leads to a candidate being selected as one of six finalists from among 300 participants. It's going to be a very tough final round and we are excited to host these exceptional young performers and see them battle it out on stage.”
All exceptionally excited about making it through the audition process, this super six all firmly believe winning an ACT Scholarship would offer them a life-changing opportunity.
The Western Cape’s Jeani Heyns explains; “Have you ever watched fireworks go off at the start of a new year? The spectacular display ignites feelings of excitement, and awe, but also a faint nervousness, because you know they signify the start of a new year. I would say my feelings toward the finals are similar, because the finals and winning the Scholarship signifies my first step toward my future as a performer.”
She says that winning a Scholarship would mean the world to her. “It would help write a prominent chapter in my story,” she concludes.
Fellow Western Cape scholar, Tamzin Williams believes her acting and singing capabilities coupled with her confidence helped her catch ACT’s attention. “I feel overwhelmed yet humbled and blessed that I was chosen to be one of the finalists. It just proves that hard work does pay off when you set your mind to achieve something.”
Virtuous Kandemiiri from Centurion says winning a Scholarship would not only allow her to do what she feels most natural doing, it would also help lift the financial burden of tertiary education fees off her family. “Performing arts is a huge part of my life, a natural sense of being home and doing what I believe I was born to do. This opportunity is everything that I need right now,” she says.
These sentiments are echoed by the Eastern Cape’s Thandaza Silwane. “Due to financial constraints, winning a Scholarship would mean the world to me. I wouldn't really have to stress about how and where I am going to receive money for university. It definitely places me a few steps closer to my dream.”
And while ecstasy and pride fill all the finalists, Gauteng’s Sibusiso Nhalpo says he still hasn’t shaken his nerves. “There is still so much to do in order to make sure that I get the Scholarship,” he says. “But come what may, I am ready and so thrilled to have achieved a final spot. Winning this scholarship would mean perfecting my craft and getting the chance to study and meet other artists from different parts of South Africa, it would also mean working hard and being afforded the opportunity to study and broaden my horizons.”
Broad horizons are what all the finalists have their sights set on, but the Eastern Cape’s Robin Castle says he hopes the fact that he’s realising his dream will encourage others.
“Winning this scholarship would mean the world to me, as I did this audition not only for myself but to bring my message across; that a dream is just a step away from reality, and winning the Scholarship would mean that I can bring this message to life.”
The six Grade 12 scholars will showcase their talent at the final event on Monday, 10 October at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. The winners will be named on the night.
For more information, please visit http://www.act.org.za/programmes/scholarships.html.
Picture –2015 Scholarships recipients, left to right Carla Smith, Caleb Heynes and Andiswa Mbolekwa. Photo credit: Debbie Yazbek.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent arts funding and development agency. The primary aim of ACT is to increase the amount of funding available for arts and culture initiatives, and to apply these funds to innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured funding programmes, ACT provides support for all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre and dance, and the support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education and arts administration. Follow ACT on Twitter (https://twitter.com/actorgza) or like the Trust’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheArtsandCultureTrust).
The National Lotteries Commission relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act guides the way in which NLC funding may be allocated. The intention of NLC funding is to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organisations. Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts, culture and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLC contributes to South Africa’s development. For more information, click here (http://www.nlcsa.org.za/).
The Nedbank Arts Affinity is a proud supporter of ACT. Since the inception of ACT in 1994, Nedbank has raised and distributed more than R16 million through its Arts Affinity Programme, in support of more than 800 South African arts, culture and heritage development projects, at no cost to its clients. To open a Nedbank Arts Affinity account please visit any Nedbank branch or call 0860 555 111, or click here (https://www.nedbank.co.za/content/nedbank/desktop/gt/en/aboutus/green-and-caring/affinity-programmes/arts.html) for more information.
The Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) is a multi-purpose copyright society that collects royalties for the use of copyright-protected works on behalf of authors and publishers, which it then distributes back to the correct copyright-owner. As a custodian of copyright and the protection of rightsholders’ works, DALRO’s main areas of administration are reprographic reproduction rights (photocopying from published editions), public performance rights (including stage rights for book musicals and dramas) and reproduction rights (whether for publishing or copying) in works of visual art. For more information, please click here (http://www.dalro.co.za/).
The Market Theatre is renowned world-wide for brilliant anti-apartheid plays that have included Woza Albert, Asinamali, Bopha, Sophiatown, You Strike the Woman You Strike a Rock, Born in the RSA, Black Dog - Inj’emnyama, as well as the premieres of many of Athol Fugard’s award-winning dramas. The Market Theatre’s history is intertwined with the cultural, social and political struggle for freedom in South Africa. For more information, please click here (http://markettheatre.co.za/).
Lady Grey Arts Academy learner Thandaza Silwane was born in Cape Town and raised in Durban. Thandaza, who is Head Boy and Hostel Deputy Head Boy, is currently completing his Grade 12, majoring in Music (vocals), Contemporary dance and Dramatic Arts. He has also achieved his Advanced Certificate for singing and Grade 3 for piano through Trinity.
Having played lead characters in West Side Story and the Passion Play, Silwane is passionate about the arts and would love to pursue his dream of being a musical theatre and dance star.
Watch Silwane audition here:
Virtuous Kandemiiri is a grade 12 learner at Lyttelton Manor High School. Having played lead roles in every production at her school since 2012, Kandemiiri is a two-time winner of her school’s Best Actress Award. Along with sinning at school events and church, Kandemiiri has performed in Les Miserables, Fame, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, The Pirates of Penzance and Greece. She has also played lead roles in the Pretoria Youth Theatre’s productions of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and The Pied Piper.
Watch Kandemiiri audition here:
Tamzin Williams got her first taste of the performing arts after being cast to perform in a PG Glass advert at the age of six. She has since received two Tygerberg International Eisteddfod awards for public speaking, one of which was for the top recipient in her age category in the Northern Suburbs Primary Schools, Cape Town. Currently completing her Grade 12 at The Settlers High School, Williams is committed to achieving her dream of becoming an actress.
Watch Williams audition here:
Before returning to South Africa, Sibusiso Nhlapo was enrolled at the Chicago Performing Arts School and later received a scholarship to the Julliard School of the Arts in New York as an intern student in musical theatre, where he starred as the title role in the Phantom of the Opera. Upon returning to South Africa, he completed his grade 12 at the National School of Arts, obtaining a distinction and winning Best Actor for 2015. Having performed in productions such as Fame, Aladdin and Khokho’s Treasure, Nhlapo has a lifelong passion for the arts and hopes to take the South African theatre and television world by storm.
Watch audition Nhlapo here:
East Londoner Robin Castle has performed around the world, most recently at the Royal Albert Hall as part of an exchange programme with Stirling High School and Central Lancaster High. He has performed lead roles in Stirling High School’s musicals, notably playing Tinman in The Wizard of Oz. As a soloist singer, Robin took the trophies for the Port Rex Lions Eisteddfod in 2015 and 2016. He is the vocalist for the Stirling High School Jazz band, which performed at the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival 2016. Playing a leading role in his school, Castle is a prefect and has received his Honours cum laude for Culture at Stirling High.
Watch Castle audition here:
Bloemhof Girls High learner Jeani Heyns studies Music and Dramatic Arts. With over eight years of performance experience, Heyns considers acting to be her specialty. Among her many skills, Heyns excels in accents; stage, radio and film acting; singing; and working creatively and collaboratively. With two wins at the ATKV Tienertoneel Competition, Heyns has also won a part in a radio drama produced by RSG, represented team South Africa at Talent America 2016 in New York and received National Colours for Performing Arts.
Watch Heyns audition here:
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