A Bloemfontein-bred performing artist, Naledi Lebelo, is delighted after winning a sought-after scholarship to study towards a degree at a South African arts institution of her choice.
Valued at R350 000, the scholarship will pay all expenses for the duration of her studies aimed at realising her childhood dream of becoming a fully-fledged musician.
Category winners, in visual and performing arts, were announced at a ceremony held in the Joburg Theatre Complex on 7 October.
Lebelo (24) was among the 15 finalists who were hopeful to secure one of two scholarships offered by the Nyoloha Visual Arts initiative. She had applied in May and was shortlisted alongside Free Stater Lebohang Matlakala.
“The scholarship means that I get to study my number-one passion: Music. I am one step closer to becoming the artist I have always imagined myself to be,” said Lebelo.
“I get the chance to learn how to impact the hearts and minds of people through art. I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity. I am so humbled, honoured, and incredibly blessed.”
The 18-year-old Azanda Nyangintsimbi from Pretoria is the other recipient of a scholarship.
Candidates participated in an online audition and the subsequent interview phase that ran from 15 May to 2 June.
The artists who passed the audition round received three months of professional training and mentorship. The programme commenced in June, with bi-weekly online training until mid-August.
The artists were rated by their mentors monthly, with the best scorers qualifying as finalists.
