Finalists of Performing Arts Scholarships announced

Six young performers have been selected to compete for one of two scholarships to the value of R105 000 each.

Two candidates from KwaZulu-Natal, Amanda Kunene from Danville Park Girls High School and Rendani Mufamadi were selected. Candice Modiselle from McAuley House in Parktown, Johannesburg, Johan Nöthling, also from Gauteng, Chantel Evans from the East Rand and Alison Hillstead, originally from East London (now based in Johannesburg), will be competing in the final.

The final round is set to take place in Johannesburg at the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre Theatre on 4 October 2012.

Investment in young artists' careers

"We are privileged to be in a position to nurture growing talent in South Africa," says Pieter Jacobs, general manager of ACT. "Thanks to DALRO and Nedbank the Trust has made a direct investment of more than R600 000 in careers of young performing artists since inception of the programme in 2009."

Scholarship recipients are at liberty to study any undergraduate performing arts course at an accredited South African tertiary institution of their choice. This year's winners bring the total number of scholarships under the Arts & Culture Trust's administration to six.

For the second year, the scholarships final will also be utilised as an opportunity to hone the skills of an aspirant emcee. Bongani Nomcweya, currently a third year student in Vocal Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology, has been selected to present the scholarships final.