SA: ACT announces second Thuthukisani recipients

The programme is a partnership between ACT and Nedbank Arts Affinity. It was created to invest in a select group of registered businesses and practitioners in the arts industry from nine provinces, rolled out in three cycles, to help applicants implement and execute their chosen projects in a strategic and sustainable way, with the goal to deliver income-generating and profitable products in 90 days.

The first cycle, which comprised recipients from the North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, was announced in March. The second cycle includes projects from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Applications for the second cycle opened in April, with more than 50 arts entrepreneurs from across the three provinces vying for a spot on the programme. The third cycle will focus on the remaining provinces and applications will open later this year.

“As one of ACT’s new strategic programmes, Thuthukisani has taught us many constructive lessons in the first cycle of the roll-out,” ACT interim CEO Jessica Denyschen said. “We are building a relevant, compelling and contextually rich programme that will propel arts businesses into a sustainability mindset and stimulate a boost in their profitability through investing in selected projects.”

The Thuthukisani programme is designed to take 63 successful applicants from across South Africa on a holistic journey to empower them through training and professionalisation. After thorough training and mentorship, participants must pitch their projects for the opportunity to receive monetary investment. Three projects per province receive cash investments and ongoing mentorship throughout the implementation of their projects.

“There is a lot of repair work to be done in the arts sector, and the focus will be on economic sustainability and, eventually, economic growth needs. Former president Nelson Mandela, once said that it always seems impossible until it’s done. The arts sector is known for making the impossible possible, and with support, vision and focus we can support artists to achieve sustainable livelihoods,” Denyschen said.

Nedbank head of group sponsorships and cause marketing Tobie Badenhorst said: “People in the arts in every part of South Africa must learn to run a business efficiently and make money in order to be sustainable and grow. Essential to this is training in business entrepreneurialism and arts administration, which is why ACT’s new Thuthukisani programme was developed. We are very excited to see how these projects progress.”

The following projects from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces were selected:

Eastern Cape

• Lovechild Music – Vuyiseka Maguga
• Daughters of Integrity Publishers & Distributors – Colleen Mapatwana
• Keinetik Media – Litha Mpiyakhe
• Ntlantla Sphosenkosi Yaze – Kanda Kul Concepts
• FreeUp Studios – Ntsikayomzi Benya
• Youth in Mining Clay and Multipurpose – Zinzi Gobala
• Butterworth TV – Velile Petshu

 Northern Cape

• Seodin Jazz & Cultural Ensembles – Rapelang Gilbert Antony
• Black Salt Creative Company Project – Rodrick Kuthula Mavundla
• GLU Creations – Garnett Ludick
• Late Bloomers Creatives – Bridgette Thato Morwe
• MindFlow – Lindile Stenge
• Phanda Pozi t/a Phanda Pozi Media – Abongile Aaron
• Mogale Sedibe – Laycenther Mogale Sedibe

KwaZulu-Natal

• Umkhubane Performing Arts – Phumlani Wiseman Mkhize
• Bhuda Q – Qiqa Makholosa
• Youth Access – Sithembiso Gift Mbatha
• KZNSA Gallery – Angela Shaw
• Trulife – Fuzile Macala
• VNSA Solutions – Nerusha Sadapal
• Archrose Publishers – Vumani Mbili