NOMAGUGU AMONG ACT FINALISTS

Durban’s Nomagugu Gumede among the ‘Super six’ named to compete for ACT scholarships

Six promising young ‘triple threats’ have been announced as the finalists in the third annual Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarships, sponsored by DALRO and Nedbank Arts Affinity. They will compete for two coveted scholarships, each valued at R105,000, to study towards an undergraduate performing arts qualification at a recognised tertiary institution thereby providing an invaluable kickstart to a career in the industry.

"Once again, Nedbank is a proud to be associated with this year’s ACT Scholarship awards, in acknowledging and celebrating the value and passion that these emerging artists put into their work. We wish all the finalists the best of luck in the final round. We and our Arts Affinity clients are happy to be contributing to supporting South Africa’s future artists,” said Maseda Ratshikuni, Nedbank Head: Cause Marketing.

Among the finalists is Nomagugu Mbali Nokulunga Gumede, a matric pupil at Danville Park Girls High School in Kwa-Mashu where she is currently completing Grade 12 at Danville Park Girls High School. She has appeared in numerous productions, amongst others, All That Jazz in 2007, Music of The Night in 2008, Penny Lane in 2009, and in 2010 she was directed by Peter Court in Take Flight.

On the night of the ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships finals in October, the finalists will be required to demonstrate excellence in singing, acting and dancing if they want to walk off with one of the scholarships.

The adjudication panel for the awards comprises actress, TV presenter and businesswoman Kim Cloete; ACT chairperson and the co-founder of Pink Room Productions, Brenda Radloff Devar; drama and physical theatre lecturer from Tshwane University of Technology, Janine Lewis; Mpho Molepo, who is an ACT board member and executive director of the Southern Africa Theatre Initiative (SATI); actor, singer and presenter Aubrey Poo; and Jennis Williamson, manager at the Talent Etc agency.

The Arts & Culture Trust is pleased to acknowledge the funders of this important arts education initiative, the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and Nedbank through their Arts Affinity programme.

ACT is also grateful to the following valued partners: the Globe Theatre at Gold Reef City Casino (host of the Scholarships final); Sleepy Gecko Guesthouse (sponsoring accommodation for the scholarships final); media partner Classicfeel Magazine; and Talent Etc™ (the two scholarship winners will receive the option of signing up with Talent Etc™ as soon as their studies have been completed).

For more details, contact the ACT office at 011 712 8403 or email deidre@act.org.za