On Tuesday, October 4 at the Globe Theatre, Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, four Danville Girls’ High family members held their breath as the winners of the ACT/DALRO/NEDBANK scholarships were announced.
The competition had been extremely stiff as six finalists from around South Africa entertained the audience, proving their eligibility as the “triple threat” – excelling in singing, dancing and acting.
In the picture: Glenda Goddard-Gill (Deputy Principal and head of Dramatic Arts at Danville Park Girls’ High School) with Gugu Gumede, the Grade 12 pupil who won the ACT/DALRO/NEDBANK scholarship.
Last year’s winner, Danville’s Zola Myeza, was the guest artist, opening the show with You’re the One that I Want and closing it with Fame. Danville’s Gugu Gumede was one of the finalists who had been preparing for this tough competition for weeks before she left for Johannesburg, and then in intensive rehearsal and interviews with a panel of six top professionals in the performance industry.
Aha moment!
When Gugu stepped on to the stage in her black evening dress to perform her solo from Cabaret, the Danville family knew the moment was going to be special. As one of the judges remarked afterwards: “That was an Aha! Moment”. Gugu excelled in all three disciplines – her song was sophisticated and polished and earned her the respect of the audience. Her dance routine was sincere and very different as she incorporated aspects of Zulu culture, which gave it a very fresh feel and her duologue showed her comic side, keeping the audience in stitches.
Pumi Zulu, Danville head girl and Deputy Principal Glenda Goddard-Gill held their breath as the winners were announced . . . and it was a “Yes please!” moment as the talented Gugu was announced the recipient of a scholarship to pursue her drama studies at a South African tertiary institute of her choice for three years. On completion of her studies, she has the option to sign with an agency who will manage her performance career.
“This is what teaching is about – watching our pupils fly and soar as they achieve wonderful things,” said Goddard-Gill.