SA: ACT announces grant recipients

The programme supports projects in the fields of music, visual art, theatre, dance and literature. This year, ACT looked for projects with a focus on music and encouraged applications for interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary works that have music as a core component.

A total of nine grants were awarded for the open call with six grants for emerging or mid-level artists and organisations, at R30 000 each, and three grants for established artists and organisations, at R80 000 each.

"It is especially important in these times of national lockdowns, with the scary and desperate period of the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially for arts and culture practitioners, that we at ACT are able to continue with the investment in the creation of artistic expression in South Africa,” ACT CEO Marcus Desando said.

"I would like to thank all the applicants, whether successful or not, and ask that we all keep safe and well. Artists need the support of organisations and businesses and we are most appreciative of the ongoing support we receive from Nedbank."

Nedbank head of group sponsorships and cause marketing Tobie Badenhorst said: "Music has the power to fill us with courage, hope and love, which we need more than ever during this protracted pandemic. It is so fitting that works of music are the focus of this grant cycle and we warmly congratulate the nine recipients. We look forward to seeing what you will create and to be experiencing this celebration of music from throughout South Africa.”

Below is the full list of recipients:

Established Grants

• Bongani Ndodana-Breen (Africa Arts Group NPC) – Imbila and other African Tales
• Camron Andrews (NewMusicSA) – The Digital Indaba 2020-21
• Jana Hattingh (Suidoosterfees festival) – Lockdown Legato

Emerging Grants

• Lulutho Ngcongolo (Zwelibanzi Productions) – A Life of Our Own Design EP
• Samantha Bekebeke – Lwando Sessions
• Rory Appleton (Sledgehammer Studio) – Meet the Musicians
• Zolani Shangase (Madevu Entertainment) – Hlakanyana Music Development
• Mthokozisi S’thembiso Hlela (Duduza Media) – uMakhweyana (a dying artform)
• Ludwe Mgolombane – Udaka we Lali