The Dolly Petersen Arts Foundation opens doors for Mitchell’s Plain youth and children

The Dolly Petersen Arts Foundation (DPAF) was officially launched in Beacon Valley.

The launch was held on Sunday, September 21, at Shekinah Full Gospel Church of God, where family, friends, partners, and the faith fraternity gathered to mark the occasion. The foundation has created a space for youth and children from the immediate Mitchell’s Plain community interested in the arts. 

The foundation’s arts school and programmes give young people and children access to dance classes, music lessons, and a recording studio. They can also apply for music theory classes following the London College of Music curriculum.

Qualified music teachers, Paul Daniels and Patricia Jacobs, will facilitate the teaching programmes and recording facility. 

As an added benefit, the foundation will include a London College of Music exam centre, allowing those part of this programme to complete their examinations on site.

At the launch, Dolly Petersen, affectionately known as "Sister Dolly", who was involved in community projects such as the Junior Choir and the Shekinah Choir, was recognised for her long-standing commitment to teaching youth and children from the community about the arts, including singing, choir participation, dance, and drama, to name a few. 

“At three, I was orphaned. It was tough. We were eleven children. I felt forgotten by many. But God saw it fit to keep me,” she said. 

“Life may throw you a curveball. In the latter years, God was grooming me for such a time as this. I can give God praise today. In the orphanage I was protected, educated, got ballet classes, joined the choir — maybe I wouldn’t have had those opportunities otherwise,” said Ms Petersen.

“That was where it all began. I have hope and a thankful heart to each and every person involved in making this possible, especially Bishop Dean Carelse and his wife, Aurelia Carelse. There is a purpose to everything. I love children, especially those from the streets, because one can channel negative into positive, and into leadership,” she said.

“The children in the community must sing,” Ms Petersen said.

Trevor Sampson, donor of the studio equipment, said he grew up in a community affected by gangsterism and drugs and wanted to create opportunities for young people. 

“This facility will give youngsters an opportunity to tell their stories, those fatherless, motherless, boundaryless youngsters,” he said.

Bishop Dean Carelse, pastor at Shekinah Full Gospel Church of God, said: “The purpose of this foundation is to create a larger platform for Dolly’s ongoing efforts. The studio and other initiatives are not new ideas - they are opportunities to expand her capacity, nurture talent and develop the young people of Mitchell’s Plain.”

Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor of Cape Town, said: “This is an important moment, especially for socially vulnerable children. What you are offering provides a healthy alternative in a world where many negative influences exist. It gives young people a pathway to choose a different life through the arts and other creative activities.”

A fee is charged for anyone not enrolled in the foundation’s programmes who wishes to use the studio.

For more information, contact Ms Petersen on WhatsApp only on 072 088 9543 or Paul on 074 107 6571.