Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

Paul Rapetsoa's play My Pride addresses the prejudice that some people have towards physically challenged people.

It will be performed at the Library Gardens Auditorium in Polokwane tomorrow and on Thursday.

Rapetsoa, a veteran playwright, says the play is aimed at changing people's minds about people who are physically challenged.

"Many people who have relatives and children hide them because they are ashamed to be seen with them," he says.

Rapetsoa says the play encourages people to support physically challenged people.

"What I say in the play is let's give them jobs and let's love and support them. After all, they might be physically challenged but they have abilities. Their minds are fine."

Rapetsoa says it is high time that the issue is explored, especially in the theatre.

"We need to teach society to understand people who are living with disabilities."

Rapetsoa says through My Pride he hopes to lift the spirits of physically challenged people who have lost hope.

"We want to show them that they can do anything because they have what it takes.

"Disabled people should not think less of themselves because of their disability."

Though he has spent a long time in the arts, Rapetsoa admitted that working with people living with disabilities was very challenging.

"I have learnt a lot and especially to understand them."

My pride starts at 7pm promptly and tickets cost R50 each.

For further information call 079-952-2959.