The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the newly appointed MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture to urgently intervene in the ongoing neglect and mismanagement of the Northern Cape Theatre in Kimberley, which threatens the hosting of local productions.
The DA’s findings from a recent oversight inspection, are contrary to feedback obtained by the Head of Department, Oupa Phiri, over the past few weeks, that the theatre is well run and maintained.
The structure is severely vandalized and security is weak. The back entrance does not have a fitted security gate and there are security frames missing on windows. At the time, a single employee who complained about delayed salary payments, was attending the facility. Door locks have been removed and security cameras are not working. It is not surprising that the theatre experienced significant theft of equipment in November last year, which now threatens to derail local and potential international productions.
Since the theatre became functional in 2020, it has been struggling to implement effective financial, human resource and planning systems. Performing artists in the province fork out thousands of rands for the use of the theatre and its broken bathrooms, but must clean the facility themself.
Since the Northern Cape Arts and Culture Council (NCACC) advertised an array of vacancies in July 2024 to operationalise the theatre, the positions of Theatre Production Manager, four Front of House Crew, two Theatre Groundsmen and two Front of House Supervisors have yet to be filled.
Even with the dark cloud hanging over the NCACC for the R1.6 million Umsobomvu Youth Festival, that never took place and for which a court case is underway, the department’s leniency regarding their management of the theatre, prevents artists from living out their dreams.
The DA has written to MEC Mangaliso Matika, asking him to urgently intervene in the situation.
The theatre cannot make a valuable contribution to the province’s cultural scene, function independently or turn a profit, without the proper management, staffing and financing.