(Pic: Zola Myeza)Danville Park High School named one of the ACT l DALRO l Nedbank Scholarship Winners
Zola Myeza and Hope Maimane were named the winners of the Performing Arts Scholarships 2010.
Zola, a grade 12 learner from Danville Park Girls' High School in Durban received the ACT | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarship and Hope Maimane, from Elkanah House High School in Cape Town, was named the second ACT | DALRO Performing Arts Scholarship winner.
This was announced by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT), the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and Nedbank at the 'Magic-in-the-Making' Finals and Award ceremony held in Johannesburg on September 28.
The evening’s programme culminated in an emotionally charged awards presentation with two ACT l DALRO l Nedbank Scholarships, with a total value of R105,000, being awarded to Zola Myeza and Hope Maimane. The two 2010 winners are at liberty to study their preferred performing arts course at any accredited South African tertiary institution of their choice. Together with the four runners-up, they received Nedbank Arts Affinity Investment accounts of R5,000 (R3,000 courtesy of Nedbank and an additional R2,000 from DALRO).
“After a fantastic final we have two exciting stars in the making. What a thrilling prospect for these young talents. Hats off to ACT for its superb organisation and to fellow sponsor, Nedbank, for joining us in celebrating the arts through education” said Gérard Robinson, the Executive Director of DALRO. Maseda Ratshikuni, Head of Cause Marketing Nedbank concurred, “Nedbank’s investment in the advancement and promotion of the arts is well documented and I am delighted to say that, based on the standard of applicants in this year’s scholarship finals, the future looks bright. Congratulations go to tonight’s winners for their outstanding achievement.”
The judging panel, convened by Brenda Devar, chairperson of ACT and actress, singer, writer and creative catalyst, included icons and luminaries in the theatre industry, internationally acclaimed theatre producer Richard Loring; popular Scandal‘s actress Nthati Moshesh; Jayesperi Moopen, founder and artistic director of Tribhangi Dance Theatre; Bryan Schimmel, a leading musical director and Jennis Williamson, an Artist agent and manager.
Speaking on behalf of ACT’s patron Athol Fugard and the ACT Board of Trustees, Devar thanked DALRO and Nedbank for their vision in supporting the ACT Scholarship Programme, “the Arts & Culture Trust is there to make a difference in the lives of South Africans. The receipt of the ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Scholarship is a life-changing achievement and it is humbling to know that we have indeed made a difference in the lives of two fledgling artists, who will doubtless be in full professional flight in no time at all “, she said.
This annual Scholarship provides an opportunity for two young upcoming performing artists to study all the disciplines associated with the performing arts at an accredited South African tertiary institution of the of winners’ choice. Grade 12 learners from across the country auditioned for a place in the finals. Regional rounds were conducted in Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. A national round also took place in Grahamstown as part of the South African National Schools’ Festival. The regional adjudication panel auditioned well over a hundred learners. This now prestigious event on the Performing Arts annual calendar highlights DALRO and Nedbank’s continued commitment to arts and culture development, promotion and preservation in South Africa. The ACT l DALRO l Nedbank Scholarships will continue to play an important role in launching the careers of many of young South Africans.
The ACT Scholarships programme is funded by DALRO and Nedbank and is generously supported by Gold Reef City Casino, Sleepy Gecko Guesthouse, Exclusive Books, Talent Etc, Provantage and Classicfeel Magazine.