The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) is the proud sponsor of a brand-new event to join Pretoria’s youth arts scene. The ShowUP Arts Festival, which was held in the University’s iconic Aula theatre on 13 July 2024, was the brainchild of David Brink, Director of the Stage Alive production company.

The aim of the festival was to foster cultural exchange, inspire artistic expression and provide a platform for emerging artists to display their talents. The spectacular event proved to be a celebration of creativity, diversity and community engagement through various forms of the performing arts. It offered school learners and students the opportunity to compete against each other in various genres. The format was based on the popular “America’s Got Talent” programme, with three judges offering comments to the artists after each performance.

The judges were leaders in their field in various types of performing arts in South Africa. Mortimer Williams is a stage and television actor, best known for his starring role as Ricci September in the SABC2 drama series “Erfsondes”. He has also worked in several stage musicals and television soapies, such as “7de Laan”, “Isidingo” and “Scandal”. Heidi Edeling is a well-known South African performer and vocal coach. She served as a judge in the South African Music Awards (SAMA) and the Aardklop Awards’ Music Panel. David Brink, who also coordinated the event, is a producer and director, who has directed productions for leading artists such as Lizz Meiring, Martin Bester, PJ Powers and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. With such auspicious judges to provide feedback, Pretoria’s talented youth were eager to entertain the audience with their unique talents.

Artists were drawn from 65 of the University’s feeder schools in and around Pretoria, with 250 artists from these schools, as well as the University’s student community, participating in the event. It was the first of its kind in South Africa.

The event was concluded with a gala evening in the Aula. First place went to vocalist Reneésha Kruger from Hoëskool Die Wilgers, who performed the song “Never enough” from the musical “The Greatest Showman”. Second place went to another talented vocalist from the same school, Zarko van Niekerk, who performed Michael Bublé’s popular song “Sway”. Third place went to Freddy Swarts from Hoërskool Linden, who performed a hip-hop contemporary dance item to the lyrics of Tate McCrea’s “That Way”.

By sponsoring this event, the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology demonstrated its commitment to promoting the role of technology in the arts. Prof Wynand Steyn, Dean of the Faculty, explains: “Although the Faculty is home to several highly technical fields, we encourage our students’ development into well-rounded individuals and actively support the arts.”