BLOEMFONTEIN – University of the Free State (UFS) drama and theatre arts student Sibabalwe Jokani has been awarded the Crystal-Donna Roberts Bursary in recognition of his academic achievements and creative potential.

Jokani, who is completing his BA in Drama and Theatre Arts, plans to use the bursary to pursue honours studies exploring how physical theatre can communicate personal experiences.

The bursary, named after late UFS alumna and award-winning actress Crystal-Donna Roberts, supports postgraduate art students in the Faculty of The Humanities. It was established through a partnership between the UFS and the Vrystaat Arts Festival, and recognises academic achievement and creative merit while considering applicants’ financial circumstances.

Jokani said he initially doubted the authenticity of the call confirming his award.

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“I was shocked and surprised. I honestly couldn’t believe it, especially knowing that so many people had applied. For a moment, I even thought it might be a prank,” he said.

His interest in theatre developed at the Lady Grey Arts Academy, where he discovered how a performance could move an audience and challenge its thinking. The response to his early work encouraged him to pursue drama and theatre arts at the UFS.

Marijda Kamper, programme manager for the Vrystaat Arts Festival, said Jokani’s application stood out for the connection between his academic commitment and artistic ambitions.

“His motivation conveyed a clear interest in using physical theatre for community education and social transformation, bringing his artistic ambitions into meaningful conversation with the communities around him,” she said.

His academic achievements and letters of recommendation also strengthened his application, which was assessed alongside other candidates on creative merit, motivation, postgraduate potential and financial need.

UFS vice-chancellor and principal Prof Hester Klopper encouraged Jokani to make the most of the opportunity.

“I hope it will give you the space and the support to pursue your work with confidence, but also to explore where your talent can take you,” she said.

Through his planned honours studies, Jokani hopes to explore how physical movement can communicate the experiences of children and teenagers affected by parental separation. He is interested in how movement can give expression to feelings that young people may struggle to put into words.

“I believe theatre should do more than entertain; it should leave audiences with something meaningful to reflect on, even after the performance has ended,” he said.

Jokani hopes to establish a theatre company or foundation that introduces children to the performing arts in communities where access to theatre is limited. His ambition comes from knowing what those opportunities meant to him at the Lady Grey Arts Academy, where performing helped him discover his abilities and gave him the confidence to pursue theatre beyond school.

“Where I come from, many people have limited exposure to theatre, and I would love to help change that,” he said.