Paul Rapetsoa

Mahuma Paul Rapetsoa (1950 – 29 December 2020) was a South African actor, playwright, radio broadcaster and theatre manager. Often called the "father of township theatre" in Limpopo, he is best known for his portrayal of Malome Josias on the SABC1 soap opera Skeem Saam, his leadership of the Thobela FM drama department, and for founding a community theatre institute that trained generations of township actors.

Mahuma Paul Rapetsoa
Born	1950 (1950) Limpopo Province, South Africa
Died	29 December 2020(2020-12-29) (aged 69–70) Seshego, Polokwane, South Africa
Occupation	Actor · playwright · radio broadcaster · theatre manager
Years active	1970s–2020
Known for	Portrayal of Malome Josias on Skeem Saam; head of drama at Thobela FM; "father of township theatre”

Early life and education

Rapetsoa was born in 1950 in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Details of his early schooling are not widely documented. He was inspired by "the father of township theatre" Gibson Kente after watching his play Sikalo in 1968.

Radio and theatre career

In the 1970s Rapetsoa joined the SABC’s Thobela FM, where he eventually became head of drama. Over two decades he wrote, produced and directed dozens of Sepedi-language radio plays—many of which launched the careers of young voice actors from rural Limpopo.

After resigning from Thobela FM in the early 2000s, he opened drama schools in 3 provinces. He founded the Rapetsoa Township Theatre Institute at Yeoville Recreation Centre in Johannesburg. He opened the 3 more drama theatres after he had realised a demand. He then opened the Mamelodi Community Centre, Pretoria – and one in Mpumalanga at the Siyabuswa Community Centre and he established the Paul Rapetsoa School of Dramatic Arts (Prida) in Thlabane in Rustenburg, North West. There he ran weekly workshops in acting, scriptwriting and stagecraft for township youth, drawing on the techniques of Gibson Kente and other pioneers of Black South African theatre. He toured Limpopo schools and community halls, effectively establishing a permanent footprint for drama in a province that previously lacked formal theatre venues.

Television and film

Radio

Medium	Title	Role/Contribution
Play	Ba tla kwa ka mang	Contributor
Play	Leswiswing La Pelo	Contributor
Play	O re haa	Contributor
Play	Bjang kapa Bjang	Contributor
Show	Fola Moya Waka	Host
Radio	SABC Radio Drama	Head of Drama

Theatre

Medium	Title	Role/Contribution
Theatre	The Last Song	Writer/Director
Theatre	Themba	Writer/Director
Theatre	The Bicycle	Actor/Director
Theatre	The Last Dance	Actor/Director
Theatre	The Fall	Actor/Director

Television

Medium	Title	Role/Contribution
Television	Skeem Saam	Malome Josias
Television	Dimilone tsa Keriri

Rapetsoa's most prominent on-screen role was as "Malome Josias" on the SABC1 soap opera Skeem Saam. Initially a cameo, the character grew into a series regular credited with bringing Sepedi-speaking audiences to the show. Colleagues remember him as a generous mentor on set, often coaching younger actors such as Charles Maja.

Personal life

He was married and had children, including his son Matome Rapetsoa, who in 2022 began using community musicals to raise awareness and fight gender-based violence in Gauteng townships.

Awards

• Artes Award in Italy, in 1994 for best radio drama productions on behalf of Thobela FM.

Death and tributes

On 29 December 2020 at 18:56, Rapetsoa died aged 70; his son announced the passing on social media without specifying a cause. The Limpopo provincial government announced plans to honour him, including naming the planned Limpopo Arts Theatre in Polokwane after him.

Legacy and honours

In September 2022 the Paul Rapetsoa Legacy Foundation was established to preserve his work and support emerging artists. Each September the Foundation hosts a Legacy Month Extravaganza in Polokwane, featuring performances, workshops and panel discussions in theatre, radio drama and music.