Bakoni Malapa confirmed as new site for provincial theatre
Polokwane Mayor John Mpe says the decision to have the theatre in this area was encouraged by the fact that the city is currently growing mainly to the north and the municipality wants to ensure it grows in all directions.
POLOKWANE – Polokwane Mayor John Mpe confirmed that the municipality has finally signed off on Bakoni Malapa Open Air Museum as the location of the provincial theatre that is yet to be built.
Premier Chupu Mathabatha initially announced the plans for a provincial theatre during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in 2016.
Since then plans for the construction of the theatre were delayed mainly due to land allocation issues.
Initially the theatre, in conjunction with the Department of Culture, had been put on hold as the land allocated to it by the Polokwane Municipality on the corner of Oost and Grobler streets did not meet the requirements for the planned construction.
Mpe says after looking at the designs and specifications necessary for a theatre of this magnitude it was realised that the land that was allocated would be too small.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/145640/citys-own-arts-theatre/
“The theatre needs many supporting and supplementary facilities. We also want to increase the capabilities of Polokwane and its contribution to arts and culture. The museum seemed to fit the description of the land we were looking for and a theatre will also increase the visitation to the museum.”
Mpe says the decision to have the theatre in this area was encouraged by the fact that the city is currently growing mainly to the north and the municipality wants to ensure it grows in all directions.
According to Mpe, a much-needed ICT hub will also be constructed in the southern area of the city and will be an all-in-one centre with ICT facilities for residents to use. He says it is important for a city to offer its residents the much-needed resources that will accelerate the growth and development of the city.
“With the fourth industrial revolution, there is a need for an increase in the use of robotics and technology. The hub will offer training and facilities and is mainly targeted at our youth. This hub will offer access to internet around the clock and will be the first point of our smart city goals,” he said.
He also mentioned that the municipality has plans to apply for a south-bound bypass from the N1, that will see residents travelling on the N1 to Ladanna, Polokwane International Airport Seshego, Moletji and Dendron have their own route that does not require them to travel through the city.
