(Amanda Kunene. Pic: Idols SA)
In 2012, then matriculant, Amanda Kunene sang her way to the
finals of the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarship Programme. Since
winning a Scholarship, the young starlet has performed across the country and
currently holds a place in the Idols SA Top
16.
“Winning an ACT Scholarship has changed my life completely,”
says Kunene, “not only have my dreams of going to university come true, but I
have been given the opportunity to further my knowledge on what I am passionate
about.”
Since 2009, ACT has been supporting arts
students through their Scholarship Programme. The only difference this year is
that with additional support from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), ACT
is also able to make Scholarships available to first and second-year university
students.
After winning a Scholarship in 2012, Kunene used the funding
to enrol at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard Campus. There she completed
a three-year undergraduate degree in Music and Drama Performance.
Pieter Jacobs, Chief Executive of ACT says; “It’s very
rewarding to see our Scholarship recipients achieve their goals and realise
their dreams. We are tremendously proud of Amanda for making it to the top 16
of Idols SA and wish her the very
best as she embarks on this exciting journey.”
Since graduating, Kunene has been performing around her
community and around South Africa. “I was also given the opportunity to
represent Africa at the ANOC Olympic Gala Dinner in Bangkok, Thailand in 2014
with the legendary Madala Kunene,” she says. Kunene believes this artistic and
educational whirlwind has helped her grow both as a person and a performer.
“Being able to step on different stages where phenomenal artists have performed
is such a humbling experience. I am really fortunate to be able to do what I
love and to work with well-respected individuals in the entertainment
industry.”
During this year’s popular production of Idols SA, Kunene wowed the celebrity
judges, who granted her with a covetable Golden Ticket during the first round
of auditions. This ticket fast-tracked Kunene to the Top 16 of the
competition’s 12th season. “Being on Idols
has been a wonderful experience,” she beams. “And being chosen to be in the Top
16 has been the most amazing experience ever!”
Gracing the small screen on a weekly basis has garnered
Kunene a throng of fans. Every Sunday, the hashtag #AmandaKunene floods Twitter
with messages of praise and support for the talented young songstress.
She firmly believes her studies, which were made possible
through the ACT Scholarship Programme, helped to get her to this point in her
promising career. When asked what her advice for this year’s Scholarship
hopefuls would be, Kunene says; “continue believing in what you love”. “You are
your biggest competition in life, never compare yourself to others because
there is no one else like you on this earth,” she continues. “Respect is the
most important thing in life, humble yourself, and always be willing to learn.”
Kunene, who is currently working towards her Honours degree,
firmly believes that hard work and practice make perfect. "Live and walk
in gratitude because pressure builds diamonds," she concludes.
After a nationwide audition process, this year’s finalists in
the Grade 12, first and second years ACT Scholarship finals have been selected.
The first and second years will go head-to-head in final showcases hosted in
Cape Town and Johannesburg, and the Scholarship recipients will be named at
each respective event. The six Grade 12 scholars will showcase their talent at
a glittering grand finale on October 10 at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.
These winners will also be named on the night.
Funded by the National Lotteries
Commission (NLC), and supported by the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary
Organisation (DALRO) and the Nedbank Arts Affinity, the 2016 Scholarships
Programme will change the lives of dramatic arts, singing, dance and musical
theatre scholars and students with scholarships to the value of R800,000.
For more information, visit http://www.act.org.za/programmes/scholarships.html
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