ACT announces powerhouse mentors for the 2026 Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
ACT announces mentors for the 2026 Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) remains one of the few long-term undergraduate arts scholarship initiatives in South Africa dedicated to identifying, mentoring, and funding the next generation of creative talent. At a time when sustained funding for arts education is limited, the programme continues to provide rare and meaningful access to tertiary arts studies, professional mentorship, and industry exposure for emerging young creatives across the country.
ACT is proud to announce the mentors for the 2026 edition of the annual ACT NSP. Acclaimed visual artist and creative practitioner Dahlia Maubane returns as the visual and digital arts mentor, while performer, producer, creative strategist, and entrepreneur Lungile Themba joins the programme as the performing arts mentor.
Johannesburg-based photographer and multimedia designer Dahlia Maubane is best known for her widely respected and ongoing project Woza Sisi, which explores identity, beauty, and storytelling within black communities. Maubane, a graduate of the University of Johannesburg and the Market Photo Workshop, has exhibited her work locally and internationally and was named one of The Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans.
Themba's work spans performance, musical storytelling, film, media, and live production, with a focus on bringing African historical narratives to contemporary audiences. He is the creator of SIKELELA: The Enoch Sontonga Story, recognised at the 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards in the category Outstanding Theatre Production.
'We are delighted to welcome Lungile Themba to ACT NSP and excited to have Dahlia Maubane continue her journey with the programme,'
says Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT.
'Dahlia returns to the programme with invaluable insight gained through the 2025 mentorship experience, and we are excited to see her support and guide a new cohort of visual and digital artists as they navigate their journeys towards professional creative careers. Lungile is an exciting addition to this important mentorship role, and his extensive experience across performance, production, and creative entrepreneurship will help ensure that the 2026 performing arts participants emerge both polished in their craft and future-focused in their professional development.'
ACT NSP, supported by long-term partner-sponsors Nedbank and Sun International, alongside returning sponsor the MTN Foundation South Africa, is designed to empower qualifying youth with opportunities to pursue tertiary education in visual, digital and performing arts. Simultaneously, the programme aims to equip practising artists with career-accelerating skills, ensuring sustainable careers in the contemporary cultural and creative industries.
Selected programme participants will participate in a 4-month biweekly online mentorship and training programme. The programme combines discipline-specific mentorship with practical industry exposure and continued exploration of the integration of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies within the arts.
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme will see a selection of 11 finalists progress to the production and exhibition showcase phase, hosted at partner community arts centres across South Africa. The programme will culminate in a prestigious winners' media event, where 2 finalists will each be awarded a scholarship valued at R300 000 to pursue a qualification in the arts.
Under Maubane and Themba's mentorship, this year's ACT NSP finalists will have the opportunity to learn from accomplished practitioners who bring both specialised creative insight and tangible industry knowledge to the programme. Their mentorship will enable participants to refine their artistic practices, strengthen professional skills, and engage meaningfully with the changing landscape of the South African creative economy.
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