DRAMA STUDENT SIBABALWE JOKANI FROM UFS RECEIVES CRYSTAL-DONNA ROBERTS BURSARY
By: Neo Ntsele
Sibabalwe Jokani, a Drama and Theatre Arts student at the University of the Free State (UFS), has received the Crystal-Donna Roberts Bursary in recognition of his academic success and creative potential.
Currently pursuing a BA in Drama and Theatre Arts, Jokani plans to use the bursary to pursue honours studies on how physical theatre can convey personal experiences.
The bursary, named after the late UFS alumna and acclaimed actress Crystal-Donna Roberts, supports postgraduate art students within the Faculty of the Humanities.
Established through a collaboration between UFS and the Vrystaat Arts Festival, the bursary acknowledges academic excellence and creative talent, while also considering applicants' financial situations.
When Jokani received the call confirming his bursary award, he momentarily questioned its authenticity.
“I was 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 recalled.
Jokani's passion for theatre began at the Lady Grey Arts Academy, where he realised how a performance could impact an audience and provoke thought.
The positive reception to his early work motivated him to study Drama and Theatre Arts at UFS.
Marijda Kamper, Programme Manager for the Vrystaat Arts Festival, remarked that Jokani's application was exceptional due to the link between his academic dedication and artistic goals.
“His motivation showed a clear interest in using physical theatre for community education and social change, connecting his artistic goals with the communities around him,” she said.
His academic accomplishments and recommendation letters further strengthened his application, which was evaluated alongside other candidates based on creative talent, motivation, postgraduate potential, and financial need.
UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, encouraged Jokani to take full advantage of the opportunity to grow as an artist.
“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 aims to investigate how physical movement can express the experiences of children and teenagers affected by parental separation.
He is interested in how movement can articulate feelings that young people may find difficult to verbalise.
“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 aspires to create a theatre company or foundation that introduces children to the performing arts in communities with limited access to theatre.
His ambition stems from understanding the value of those opportunities to him.
At the Lady Grey Arts Academy, 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.
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