We first met Diego back in 2019 — a bright-eyed Grade 5 learner at Westlake Primary School who joined our very first Drama for Kids programme. From the moment he stepped into the room, we knew he was something special.
At just 10 years old, Diego was the kind of kid who didn’t wait to be asked — he carried bags, poured juice for his peers, handed out worksheets, and threw himself into every drama exercise with heart and hustle. That spirit hasn’t wavered.
By 2021, he was on stage in our debut performance for the Shakespeare Schools Festival. By 2024, he had completed the Waterfront Theatre School’s recreational programme, where he was accepted alongside five other Westlake learners we had the privilege of mentoring. Thanks to the Fondazione Labia, he fulfilled his dream of challenging himself through the performing arts.
But Diego’s story doesn’t stop with the arts.
Now preparing for matric in 2026, Diego has already stepped into civic leadership as part of the City of Cape Town’s Junior City Council. True to his roots, he’s poured his passion into founding his own NPO: Raising Leaders of Tomorrow Foundation — focused on youth upliftment in his beloved Westlake community.
Armed with creativity, compassion, and the leadership skills he’s grown over the years, Diego is now building youth development programmes inspired by his journey with us and the Waterfront Theatre School.
This is what impact looks like. This is the power of drama.
We’re proud to walk this path with Diego — and we’re just getting started.
Collaboration. Support. Community.
Watch this space.
