SA: ACT announces Nyoloha Scholarship 2023 winners

The winners were announced following showcases by the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) performing arts finalists. The 15 finalists, who were drawn from performing and visual/digital arts categories, competed for a chance to win fully paid scholarships valued at R350 000 to study for an arts degree at a South African arts institution of their choice.

Eighteen-year-old Azanda Nyangintsimbi from Pretoria emerged tops in the visual arts scholarship, while Naledi Lebelo, 24, from Bloemfontein was announced winner of the performing arts scholarship. Aside from the scholarships, Nyangintsimbi and Lebelo each received a Huawei MatePad T and Samsung gear.

“This scholarship represents an essential stepping stone towards my educational and professional goals,” Nyangintsimbi said. “It is not just about the monetary value, to me, this is a symbol of faith in my potential and abilities. It’s a sign that people believe in my dreams as much as I do, and it’s encouragement to keep pushing, keep striving and keep growing. Winning this scholarship means I can focus more on my studies and expand my horizons into becoming the best version of myself. I pledge to use this scholarship to pursue my academic endeavours with commitment. Thank you so much for investing in my future and for making my dreams more achievable.”

Lebelo said: “The scholarship means that I get to study my number one passion, which is music. I am one step closer to becoming the artist I have always imagined myself to be. I get the chance to learn how to impact the hearts and minds of people through art. I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity. I am so humbled, honoured and incredibly blessed.”

The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme is an undergraduate scholarship programme aimed at providing opportunities for school leavers to pursue a tertiary qualification in the visual and performing arts.

A year-long internship at Moving into Dance was awarded to Tintswalo Mahlakolisane while another year-long internship at Vuyani Dance Company was awarded to Bonoko Khoda, both who hail from Johannesburg.

The 15 finalists were selected after three months of intense online training and mentorship.

Below is the full list of winners and finalists:

Performing arts finalists

• Naledi Lebelo (Free State)
• Asiphumeze Stuurman (Western Cape)
• Bonoko Khoda (Gauteng)
• Lindiwe Ngwenya (Gauteng)
• Mthobisi Khanyile (Gauteng)
• Nicole Retief (Western Cape)
• Nonjabulo Khubeka (Gauteng)
• Nsizwazakithi Mvubelo (Gauteng)
• Thato Segodi (Gauteng)
• Tintswalo Mahlakolisane (Gauteng)

Visual/digital arts finalists

• Azanda Nyangintsimbi (Gauteng)
• Lauren Wood (KwaZulu-Natal)
• Rethabile Weevirs (North West)
• Siphesihle Hlatshwayo (Gauteng)
• Thabang Makgakwe (Limpopo)