A village opera singer and a game designer just won R300,000 (about $17,000) each to chase their dreams

Nhlawuleke Asher Shileng, 19, from Ngove village near Giyani, taught himself Italian opera pronunciation without a single formal music lesson. Lethabo July Boshomane, 23, from Sekgakgapeng near Mokopane, tells Black women's stories through digital art and games. On Friday at the MTN Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, each won a R300,000 (about $17,000) Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha scholarship, chosen from 60 young artists after four months of mentorship, with 11 reaching the finals. Shileng wants to study music at Nelson Mandela University — and one day build an opera house in Giyani. Boshomane is headed for game design.

SDG 4 · Quality education — Mechanism: funding & finance