Mashupe Phala

Mashupe Phala is currently studying towards an MFA at AFDA

Finishing a Post Graduate Diploma in Media Management with Rhodes University

BA Honours Degree in Arts and Culture Management from Wits University

Advance Certificate in Radio from Wits Radio Academy

Mashupe Phala is very passionate about theatre and Arts. he works daily towards the development of the sector, especially in Limpopo Province which is still at the tail end when it comes to issues of theatre development. he is a selfless leader who is not only about himself but the development of others as well. All what he knows and does in his life is theatre and the arts and he is a well-known figure in the field in his Province of Limpopo and nationally. More about his involvement and support the reason why he deserves to be honoured for his work can be found on his Facebook page and through mentions by other people he has assisted, on Facebook. His Facebook page is Hon Mashupe Phala.

Mashupe Phala has been championing the concept of having a State Funded theatre in Limpopo Province since 2015. He challenges the status quo every time he has an opportunity to do so to make sure that theatre and the arts in Limpopo Province improve. He is a theatre practitioner of note, who has been producing theatre shows representing Limpopo Province at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival since 2004 up to date. He has toured around the country with his performances as well as countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Kenya. He served on the advisory task team to the minister of Arts and Culture on theatre and dance matters. He is the curator of Botho Arts Festival which is proving to be an important arts festival in the Limpopo Province attracting interest from theatre practitioners from all over South Africa and beyond the borders.

Mashupe Phala was once assisting Tshwane University of Technology students to hone their talents through extracurricular activities through theatre. He is also involved through his company as a sponsor for Kinsley Spelling Bee (An educational project helping learners to improve their English vocabulary) He is involved with Excellent Emelda as Foundation through their learners motivation talks and awards ceremonies awarding top learners in various districts across Limpopo Province. Mashupe is also using theatre for social behavioural change whereby he presents shows addressing social burning issues such as Teenage pregnancy, mental illness, disability awareness, HIV and AIDS, etc. He served as a member of the Polokwane Chamber of Business.

In his own words, Mashupe Phala went to school without shoes and he rose above his situation and changed his life. After completing matric, his late mother couldn’t take him to school and he only started taking himself to school 14 years later in 2015 and he is still working towards attaining his goal of wearing a red gown and contributing meaningfully to the knowledge bank, especially about the arts in Limpopo Province.