SA: ACT announces mentors for 2026 Nyoloha Scholarship Programme

Maubane will return as the programme’s visual and digital arts mentor, while Themba will serve as the performing arts mentor. The annual initiative supports young South African creatives seeking tertiary education and provides mentorship and industry exposure to help participants develop sustainable careers in the arts.

The 2026 programme will include a four-month online mentorship and training programme held every two weeks. Participants will receive discipline-specific guidance alongside practical industry exposure, with the programme also exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies in the arts.

Maubane, a Johannesburg-based photographer and multimedia designer, is known for Woza Sisi, an ongoing project exploring identity, beauty and storytelling in Black communities. A graduate of the University of Johannesburg and the Market Photo Workshop, she has exhibited her work in South Africa and internationally and was named among The Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans.

Themba works across performance, musical storytelling, film, media and live production, with a focus on presenting African historical narratives to contemporary audiences. He created SIKELELA: The Enoch Sontonga Story, which was recognised in the Outstanding Theatre Production category at the 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards.

“We are delighted to welcome Lungile Themba to ACT NSP and excited to have Dahlia Maubane continue her journey with the programme,” ACT CEO Jessica Denyschen said. “Dahlia returns to the programme with invaluable insight gained through the 2025 mentorship experience, and we are excited to see her support and guide a new cohort of visual and digital artists as they navigate their journeys towards professional creative careers.”

She added: “Lungile is an exciting addition to this important mentorship role, and his extensive experience across performance, production, and creative entrepreneurship will help ensure that the 2026 performing arts participants emerge both polished in their craft and future-focused in their professional development.”

The programme is supported by long-term partners Nedbank and Sun International, as well as returning sponsor the MTN Foundation South Africa.

A total of 11 finalists will progress to the programme’s production and exhibition showcase phase, which will be hosted at partner community arts centres across South Africa. The programme will conclude with a winners' media event, where two finalists will each receive a scholarship valued at R300 000 towards a tertiary arts qualification.