Application: NATi Rising Stars

Questions to consider before applying for this mentorship:

1. How long have I been in the performing arts (theatre, television or film) industry?
2. Have any of my plays been performed at major theatres nationally or at any festivals?
3. Have I been nominated for or won any awards for my work in the industry?
4. Have I received any commendations for my plays?
5. How many of my plays have been workshopped or been in development?
6. With my experience, am I perhaps over-qualified for a mentorship for emerging writers?

Please have the following information on hand before starting to fill out the application form. Please note: The combined size of all files may not exceed 20 MB. If the total size is more than 20 MB, your application will not reach us.

Applicable to all applicants:

• Full names and surname
• ID number
• Address
• Contact number
• Email address
• Good photo
• Short author bio

Additional documents for NATi Rising Stars:

• Motivation letter
• A complete new play with a duration of 50 to 60 minutes (± 25 to 35 pages) and no more than four actors. Please note: Dramatists are advised not to act in their own plays or direct them.

Requirements and important dates:

• Open to emerging writers only*
• Applications close: 27 March 2026
• Announcement of successful candidates: 15 May 2026
• Residency (candidates must confirm availability for the set dates when applying): 22 June to 12 July 2026

* We define an emerging writer as someone of any age who is still in the early stages of their writing career in a specific genre, and who has not had the necessary support or exposure to receive major recognition for their work in this genre.

An established writer is someone who has published two or more works with major publishers; has received recognition for their work or is widely known within their genre; and/or earns a portion of their income from writing in that genre.

APPLICATION FORM

Full names and surname (mandatory)

ID number (mandatory)

Address (mandatory)

Contact number (mandatory)

Email address (mandatory)

Do you have a medical condition
and/or disability we need to be
aware of?

Are you available on the mentioned dates?
Select one:YesNoI don't know yet

Where did you hear about the Jakes Gerwel Foundation?
Select one:FacebookInstagramLinkedInJGF newsletterJGF websiteanother websiteradionewspaperword-of-mouthnon of the above

If your text is not in Afrikaans, will you be willing for parts of it to be translated into Afrikaans?
Select one:YesNoMaybe

Please upload the following files:

Good photo

(accepted file types: .jpeg | .jpg | .png)
(maximum size: 8 mb)

Short author bio

(accepted file types: .doc|.docx|.odt|.txt|.pages|.pdf|.rtf)

Motivation letter

(accepted file types: .doc|.docx|.odt|.txt|.pages|.pdf|.rtf)

Draft of play

(accepted file types: .doc|.docx|.odt|.txt|.pages|.pdf|.rtf)

Additional message to the Jakes Gerwel Foundation (optional)

PLEASE NOTE
• No individual feedback will be given to the applicant about the quality of his/her application.
• If your application is successful, you will be expected to spend the full duration of the residency in KwaNojoli and to interact with the other writers. The residency is not for writers who want to write in complete isolation.
• International writers are responsible for applying for their visas on time if their application is approved.