CIT:Y winners named

Arts students have won bursaries to continue their studies from the City, in the CIT:Y Festival. Submitted works are on show at Museum Africa.
PHUMLANI Ntuli, a 23-year-old visual arts student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) – who has “never won anything in his life” – is one of 13 art students who walked away with bursaries at the 2011 CIT:Y Festival Awards.

Phumlani Ntuli gets his prize from Steven SackPhumlani Ntuli gets his prize from Steven SackNtuli, who is in his fourth year, said he was going to use the R20 000 bursary he won to study art and culture management. The CIT:Y awards ceremony was held at Museum Africa on 24 August.

“I am so excited. This competition presented me with the opportunity to further my studies up-to the level I have always wanted,” he said.

Over R200 000 worth of bursaries were awarded to arts students, with each winner getting a R20 000 bursary. Joint winners split the first prize, while runners up got complimentary tickets see various theatre shows.

The animation category was won jointly by Eric Barnfather, a third year student at Afda, and Thapelo Keetile, a fourth year student at UJ. There were joint winners in the broadcasting category as well – Nonjabulo Zwane and Johannah Legodi, both first year students at Nemisa.

Maleshwane Mohoasi, a first year student at Vuyani Dance Theatre, walked away with the bursary valued at R20 000 in the dance category. Teague Wyngaard, a foundation course student at Greenside Design Centre, won in the graphic design category.

Phumlani Ntuli's winning work, UtshivianePhumlani Ntuli's winning work, UtshivianeIn the music category, a joint win went to Sindisiwe Sibiya, a second year student at Central Johannesburg College, and Miseka Gaqa from Wits University – they both opened the ceremony with the sweet melody of opera and traditional music.

Matthew Kay, on an intermediate course at Market Photo Workshop, won in the photography category, while Christopher Mdlane at the Imbali Visual Literacy Project, won in the textile design category.

Wandile Motha, a graphic design student from Greenside Design Centre, walked away with the best newcomer bursary, while Thabiso Sekgala from Market Photo Workshop won a career bursary worth R30 000.

Students
According to Steven Sack, the City’s director of arts, culture and heritage, in the community development department, the intention of the event was to bring students from various institutions together to establish contacts within the industry.

“No doubt there will be collaborations between different artists from various institutions. The other reason is to say to the world, Joburg is the place to come and study arts. You find everything here – good institutions, teachers and a very vibrant community of students.”

Steven Sack presents dancer Maleshwane with her prizeSteven Sack presents dancer Maleshwane Mohoasi with her prizeSack said the obvious intention of initiating the awards was to expose the talent that was coming from the city’s art institutions. “Also, the City gets a snapshot of what is going on at the schools around Joburg. Having an understanding of what is happening, helps the City to create the platform that will assist in absorbing artists to come and study and work in Johannesburg.”

He said the next six months would be exciting for his department as the Soweto Theatre would be completed in November. “Maybe we will look at taking the CIT:Y Festival to Soweto next year,” he added.

The awards ceremony kicked off the festival season in Johannesburg, with Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive coming up. “It is appropriate that we are kicking off by assessing and looking at the young talent in the arts schools,” he said.

The work of the nominees and the winners will be on exhibition at Museum Africa until 30 September as part of the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival.