Ekurhuleni Theatres Gasping for Life

By — Cllr Mike da Silva — DA City of Ekurhuleni Deputy Spokesperson for Sport, Heritage, Recreation, Art and Culture (SHRAC)

Date: 02 October 2024

Theatres in the City of Ekurhuleni have become the stage on which the mismanagement of the city under the ANC-EFF coalition is played out for all to see.

In March 2023, Council passed a resolution to create a Theatre Policy that would guide the management and use of the theatres across the city. The policy was set to be completed and tabled by July 2024, yet, as of October 2024 — no policy has been proposed.

Extensive discussion in the SHRAC Oversight Committee revealed that without a policy specifically to manage them, the City’s theatres amount to white elephants trotted out on the odd occasion.

It is worrying that departmental officials have attempted to hide behind budget constraints when the development and implementation of the policy could potentially see enhanced revenue that would at least offset the costs of staffing these facilities.

Theatres in Ekurhuleni are gasping for life, along with countless artists who wish to access and utilize them but can’t because of the numerous obstacles created by a lack of policies.

The failure to create this policy is another example of a growing trend under the ANC-EFF coalition whereby resolutions of council are not implemented.

Council resolutions are not acts of whimsy; they are legally binding decisions which impact the lives of residents.

While the ANC and EFF continue their political theatrics, our theatres fall into disarray.

The DA will submit questions to council to ensure that this legally binding resolution is enacted so that our theatres are open for all our residents to make use of.

Media Enquiries:

Cllr. Mike Da Silva
DA City of Ekurhuleni Deputy Spokesperson for Sport, Heritage, Recreation, Art and Culture (SHRAC)
072 963 2654