Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

When playwright Paul Rapetsoa came to Gauteng two years ago he had only one thing on his mind - to revive theatre.

Since then he has opened two drama schools in Gauteng - at the Yeoville Recreation Centre, Johannesburg, and the Mamelodi Community Centre, Pretoria - and one in Mpumalanga at the Siyabuswa Community Centre.

He did not stop there. On Sunday he established the Paul Rapetsoa School of Dramatic Arts (Prida) in Thlabane in Rustenburg, North West.

Rapetsoa is looking for people interested in radio broadcasting, scriptwriting and the performing arts.

Auditions will be held at the Thlabane Community Centre on January 6.

Rapetsoa said: "Since I opened the Yeoville school there has been demand from everywhere for more drama schools. People who have seen the success of and the difference made by my three schools are challenging me to set up more schools.

"People from Thlabane have proved that they are passionate about theatre."

Rapetsoa is intent on reviving theatre in Rustenburg.

"Young people there need something to keep them busy."