Japan to the government of South Africa for the State Theatre
4 October 2006
The Government of Japan will officially hand over the sound equipment to the
Government of South Africa for the State Theatre. This is the culmination of a
process initiated by the Government of Japan in 2003, when they called for
Grant-in-Aid proposals from government institutions in South Africa. A number
of proposals were submitted to Japan via the Embassy of Japan, for their
consideration.
In November 2004, the Department of Arts and Culture was informed that the
State Theatre was selected amongst many applicants as the recipient of the 2004
Grant-in-Aid. The Grant-in-Aid is worth 44,500,000 Japanese Yen (approximately
R2, 5 million) and is specifically for the sound equipment. On 24 November
2004, then Ambassador Toshinori Shigeie of the Embassy of Japan in South Africa
and Minister Pallo Jordan of the Department of Arts and Culture exchanged
Official Notes during the signing of the Grant-in-Aid ceremony. The purpose of
the grant is to contribute to the promotion of cultural and artistic activities
in South Africa.
In April 2006, the Government of Japan sent a technician from Tokyo to
install the equipment and also to train in-house technicians of the State
Theatre on the use of the sound equipment. The acquisition and installation
phase is over and it is time for the Government of Japan to hand over the
equipment, and the Government of South Africa to receive it officially.
The handing over ceremony will take place on 3 October 2006 at the State
Theatre. Minister Pallo Jordan and Ambassador A Furuya will both be present at
the ceremony
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
4 October 2006
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)
