SAMRO awards bursaries to SA music students

The award recipients were drawn from universities after the foundation tasked heads of departments to find deserving candidates for the special bursaries.

The bursary winners, who were selected by a SAMRO Foundation executive team and approved by the foundation’s chairman Leon van Wyk, are:

• Nandipha Mnyani of the University of the Witwatersrand (R30 000)
• Féroll-Jon Davids of Stellenbosch University (R20 000)
• Mihi Matshingana of the University of the Witwatersrand (R20 000)
• Slindile Dlamini of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (R20 000)
• Conrad Asman of the University of Cape Town (R11 000)

“Receiving this bursary is an honour and I hope that through this research I can honour his legacy with pride,” Mnyani, who is studying a masters in music, said.

Davids, who is studying for a bachelor’s in music, said he would use the bursary to jump-start his postgraduate studies.

“My passion and skills are seated in creating music in a group context, whether it be orchestral or as a member of a small ensemble,” Davids said. “There is nothing more enjoyable than interacting with other passionate musicians.”

Up-and-coming jazz vocalist and composer Matshingana said: “I was certain that I would have to give up my dream of getting my BMus degree. Receiving the bursary gave me hope that maybe I won’t have to. My desire is to also inspire other people to become the best musicians they can be by leading by example and sharing all the knowledge I have received.”

Dlamini said she hoped to pursue her music studies overseas and to “change people’s lives through music”.

“As I come from a disadvantaged family, I want to make them proud,” she said. “I am sincerely honoured to have been selected as the recipient of a SAMRO bursary. I am very thankful for receiving their thoughtful gift, and I really appreciate their generous support. Their gesture will also encourage other students to excel in their studies.”

Asman said he would use the bursary to further his master’s degree studies in the UK or US.

“I hope to follow in the light of Ralph Trewhela and give back to our national arts community through my compositional output,” he said.