SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born

Leonard Tshela Mohapi Matsoso was born in Pimville, Soweto. Between 1962 and 1970, while still at school, Matsoso studied at the Jubilee Art Centre under Cecil Skotnes, Sydney Kumalo, Bill Hart and Ezrom Legae. In 1972 he studied at the Bill Ainslie Studios and traveled to France, England and Italy. He then worked for the SABC as a graphic artist. Between 1970 and 1988 he exhibited in South Africa, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Athens, Greece; Canberra, Australia and in Bonn and Nuremberg, West Germany. In 1972 he received first prize and a trip to Paris in the UTA Pavement Artist Competition, and in 1973 a prize at the Sao Paulo Biennale. He was also commissioned to do work for the State Theatre in Pretoria.