Marapong arts centre makes headlines

The Evergreen Arts Centre in Marapong was the talk of the town this week after it was featured on a national news station last weekend. The Centre was established in Marapong in June 2013 by Bafedile Masasa (26) who has a passion for art and is also passionate about teaching young and old the art of drama.
Masasa, who studied drama under Paul Rapetsoa at the Paul Rapetsoa Institute of Dramatic Art (PRIDA) in Polokwane, is currently teaching 17 local students. Well known to the community, Masasa grew up in Lephalale and was schooled at Nelsonskop School in Marapong. He tells Northern News that his love for drama started at a very young age and that he has dreamt of showcasing his and his student’s talents worldwide.
“I want the youth of Lephalale to know that they can create their own employment. You don’t have to be an engineer or a doctor to have a future. I started this drama company to help the youth discover their own talents and to capitalise on their gifts.”
Since establishing the Evergreen Arts Centre, Masasa and his dance and drama company have performed a play about drug abuse at a provincial police gathering in Marapong in March this year. They were also asked to perform the play at a department of education conference.
Since then Masasa wrote a musical called Lepharadise, which tells the story of the Lephalale community, rich in culture. In the musical Lephalale is likened to paradise, rich in natural resources and a haven for tourists. The company has not been able to perform the musical, but hope to be on local and national stages very soon. “We hope that the municipality and local companies will help us spread the message through art. We need a place to rehearse and perform our theatre productions,” Masasa says. Other musicals and dramas from Masasa’s pen include Cheesegalz, My policy, Hlobaboroko and Gorileng.
For more information about The Evergreen Arts Centre contact Bafedile Masasa on cel: 073 527 7147.