Artists fail to occupy Blantyre Cultural Centre
Unless government speeds up renovations of Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC), artists will not have their offices there anytime soon due to its dilapidated condition.
Government gave arts associations a go-ahead to have their secretariat at the centre following their precarious financial position which hardly permits them to lease Claim Building (Blantyre Arts House) on their own.
Representatives of the country’s arts associations recently visited BCC to assess its condition, which revealed that it is not habitable.
Speaking on behalf of the arts associations Mike Sambalikagwa Mvona described the state of BCC as pathetic.
“The said offices at BCC are doorless with broken windows and ceiling. They are inhabitable and prone to further vandalism and theft. Therefore, we asked government to speed up the renovations of the centre,” said Mvona.
Government purchased BCC (formerly French Cultural Centre -(FCC) from the French government four years ago. But delay in handing over the facility led to massive looting of valuable materials and resources such as music equipment, doors and glasses.
Three years ago government renovated the amphitheatre, painted the buildings, did electrical installation and partial plumbing works.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development, Christopher Mbukwa said government is committed to refurbish BCC.
