A high level entourage from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has visited the Northern Cape Theatre on Tuesday 3 February 2015. The entourage was led by MEC Lebogang Motlhaping, Head of his office Mr. Neo Maneng, as well as the Head of department Mr. Faisal Aysen and the project team. The visit to the facility was aimed at gauging the progress made in the upgrade of the facility since the job resumed in September 2015.
The MEC and his team were shown progress made in the revamp of the theatre and were given the assurance that the facility will be completed by Apri1 2015. As the department we are happy with the progress made thus far. We have received the Rheinzinc Cladding material. This is the material to be used in the completion of the façade and Porte couture and outer part all round cladding of the Theatre; once that is completed, the construction team can then commence with their internal touch ups which include flooring and installation of chairs.
The department had spent over 16 million rand towards the first phase of the project. It was left at 85 percent of completion by last year due to unavailability of funding. We have however managed to source an additional 12 million rand from the National Department of Arts and Culture to conclude the final of the project.
The April 2015 deadline is the timeline which was initially set by the construction company and the Department of Roads and Public Works last year. We are happy with the progress made and can confidently report that the project is well within its budget and scope.
Once complete, the theatre will boast a new state of the art auditorium seating, new disability seating, ramp for disability access to backstage, lift for disability access to the VIP area, boardroom and auditorium seating for disabled persons all located in the upper level/first floor of the theatre. The theatre will also have an extended foyer area, improved backstage facilities, upgraded Orchestra Pit and new roofing. It will boast extended ablution facilities with new emergency evacuation points.
The department would like to re emphasise that the additional funding should be seen as an investment as the lightning, sound equipment and acoustics is world class and this will therefore allow the Province of the Northern Cape to host high profile stage productions. The people of the Northern Cape have been denied the opportunity to watch theatre productions from highly acclaimed performers and producers due to the fact that we did not have a facility conducive enough. Once the Theatre is completed the ANC Led government guarantees our communities that we will expose them to the best productions and concerts from local, national and international artists because of the state of the art theatre.
The facility will also be a hub for local artists where they can express their talents to the public of the Northern Cape and to the rest of South Africa.
