Johannesburg’s iconic Market Theatre was abuzz both on and off the stage last night when performing arts matriculants were granted Scholarships to pursue their dreams at tertiary level.
Six triple-threat scholars acted, danced and sang their way through the finals and all walked away with funding from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), supported by the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Organisation (DALRO) and the Nedbank Arts Affinity.
After a demanding week of rehearsals at the hands of a talented creative team and a tough final round in front of a live audience, Virtuous Kandemiiri from Gauteng was awarded the first prize Scholarship of R105,000, while Tamzin Williams of the Western Cape won a Scholarship worth R54,000, and Robin Castle from the Eastern Cape walked away with R40,000. The runners-up, Thandaza Silwane (KwaZulu-Natal), Sibusiso Nhlapo (Gauteng) and Jeani Heyns (Western Cape) also received funding to help kick-start their tertiary education.
“While this was a massive highlight and a wonderful end to a long process, it is merely the beginning,” says ACT CEO, Pieter Jacobs. “The real work starts now and the Arts & Culture Trust looks forward to supporting and mentoring these exceptional young performers while they prepare to enter the industry.”
Now in its eighth year, the ACT Scholarship Programme searched the country for the six candidates, who set the stage alight last night. Once selected, each of the matric pupils were then coached by a dedicated team of professionals, before putting their best foot forward in front of an illustrious panel of judges, and – possibly the biggest critics of all – a live audience.
The judges last night, Talent-ETC director and award-winning producer, Jennis Williamson; multiple award-winning local and international star of the stage and screen, Terence Bridgett; actress, singer and cabaret artist, Kate Normington; SAMA winning vocalist, producer and composer, Gloria Bosman; and creative catalyst and consultant, Brenda Sakellarides, were faced with some very difficult decisions.
And, once, they had made their choices, the disbelief and excitement that spread across the winners’ faces sparked mega-watt smiles from all in attendance.
Mrs Thabang Mampane, Commissioner of the NLC says they are honoured to assist these young artists reach their full potential. “Grants of this nature are in line with Governments commitment to provide opportunities for the youth of South Africa,” she says.
Tiro Seleke, the manager of Business Development at DALRO says they are also incredibly proud to be associated the ACT Scholarship programme. “Nurturing of young talent is a reinvestment into the survival of the industry. These amazing talents need all our support to reach their full potential.”
These sentiments are echoed by Nedbank too. “As a bank for all, we remain committed to enabling the dreams and goals of young people and are inspired by the great talent the Scholarships Programme continues to unearth,” explains Tobie Badenhorst, Head: Sponsorships & Cause Marketing at Nedbank. “On behalf of Nedbank we would like to congratulate the young artistic minds and wish them all the best as they embark on their new exciting journey.”
The show last night would not have been such an entertaining and exciting affair if it wasn’t for the amazing work done by this year’s vibrant host Lindelwa Nkosi. Nkosi clinched the coveted role of emcee after auditioning for ACT as part of their country-wide talent search. A classically trained musician and presenter, Nkosi, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal guided the evening with flair and professionalism, a performance that also marks her as a personality to watch out for.
For more information, please visit www.act.org.za/programmes/scholarships.
About The Winners
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L47Ew0y60Rg
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg95_Bi4g7E
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-KKB09QgUI
About The Runners Up
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo6JI7Xv1nw
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SMaQm-j0Cs
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOl3a_yxTyk
Issued by The Famous Idea on behalf of THe Arts & Culture Trust (ACT)
