Three Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy learners returned from the 2026 South African Championships of Performing Arts with 38 medals between them. For two, the competition also brought another appearance on stage. For Marilize Els, it opened the door to a recording and label scholarship.

Marilize, Catherine Christie and Camilla Copeland competed at the national championships at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, where performers from across the country gathered from 26 September to 3 October.

Together, the three learners earned 20 gold medals, 12 silver medals and six bronze medals.

Another call to the stage

Marilize led the medal count with 16 gold, five silver and six bronze medals.

Her performances also earned her selection for the Final Showcase, a curated programme featuring performers chosen during the championships. SACOPA runs separate showcase auditions during nationals before selecting the final programme.

Catherine joined her there after collecting three gold and five silver medals of her own.

Their Final Showcase selection therefore added another achievement to their national results, giving both learners the opportunity to perform again after the competition rounds had been completed.

Camilla added three medals to the Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy tally, earning one gold and two silver.

A new opportunity for Marilize

Marilize’s week in Rustenburg also produced an individual opportunity beyond the medals.

She was named the winner of a Nova Talent USA recording and label scholarship.

The school supplied the award under that title, and its precise terms have not been publicly detailed. It adds a further step for a learner who had already accumulated 27 medals during the national championships.

The scholarship should therefore be understood as the opportunity awarded to Marilize at SACOPA, without assuming that it represents a record contract or guaranteed commercial release.

A competition across the performing arts

SACOPA brings together performers across disciplines ranging from vocals and acting to dance and instrumental performance. Competitors reach the national championships through earlier qualifying stages.

The Final Showcase then draws selected performers from the wider competition programme, giving Marilize and Catherine’s inclusion additional significance alongside their medal results.

For Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy, the final numbers tell only part of the story. Three learners returned with 38 medals, two were selected to perform again in the Final Showcase, and one left Rustenburg with a recording and label scholarship that could extend her performing experience further.