Applications via the SAE website opened in October 2015 with applicants required to write a 2000 word motivational essay that then becomes the back-bone of their application. The Scholarship patrons themselves read the shortlisted essays and personally select the most deserving candidate. This year, SAE received a record 4374 applications.

The Scholarship applicants are assessed by the SAE Academic body on their character, experience and commitment. However, it is the Scholarship patrons, who have the final say. With such a vast amount of applicants, and with so many powerful and well-written essays, it was particularly challenging to select only four winners.

Additionally, SAE has launched a Film Scholarship in association with Makhulu Productions, an apprenticeship-based production company that believes in addressing inequalities and lack of access to on-the-job learning opportunities in the local South African media industry. With their Sunshine Cinema initiative - a solar powered mobile cinema - they host community screenings in areas lacking access to diverse content, whilst running media training workshops with local community partners.

The recipients of the 2016 SAE Sunshine Cinema Scholarship is Lufefe Figlan. Figlan has been working at Makhulu for about 10 months and is passionate and determined about gaining diverse film making skills to develop his craft as a true creative storyteller.

This year's other successful candidates are:

  • Ready D Scholarship - Bongani Mhone; 
  • Black Coffee Scholarship - Masithembe Rawe; 
  • AKA Scholarship - Joshua van Zyl; and
  • Young Guru Scholarship - Justin Williams. 

Mhone is originally from Zimbabwe and has been DJ’ing since the age of 14 and whilst pursuing this goal has also committed to teaching and mentoring young people around him. Ready D explains why Mhone was chosen as the recipient of the Scholarship; “Bongani comes across as a perfect recipient. I am inspired by his motivational letter and his determination. The industry will benefit from a person with his experience and outlook on life.”

Rawe, winner of the Black Coffee Scholarship, is from humble roots in the Eastern Cape and has been a songwriter and musician for as long as he can remember and his goal is to be a producer and sound engineer.

The AKA Scholarship winner, Joshua van Zyl is from Ocean View and attributes his character and determination to his Cape Flats background. Experiencing the good with the bad, Van Zyl is determined to succeed and give back to his community.

Williams, recipient of the Young Guru Scholarship is from Elsies River and is passionate about music and education and has never given up despite many obstacles over the years.

For more information, visit capetown.sae.edu. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.