With venues for performances inadequate in the country, Director of Arts in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga on Thursday offered hope to creatives that the once mighty entertainment mecca Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC), formerly French Cultural Centre, is taking shape as regards rehabilitation.
BCC’s rehabilitation has been moving at a snail’s pace since it was ransacked by thieves in 2011 after the French government sold the centre to the Malawi Government at K300 million.
In its good state, BCC has played host to both local and international performances in different artistic disciplines including Mali’s Salif Keita, Jamaica’s Mutabaruka and Ivory Coast’s Dobet Gnahore.
Mpondaminga admitted that the rehabilitation of BCC had delayed and that it was long overdue but indicated that works were in progress and that soon the venue would be functional.
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“The contractor had in December last year casted the concrete works for the ring beam at the amphitheatre, which will support the roof and had fabricated the steel trusses,” he said.
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Mpondaminga said, at the moment, the contractor was mounting the steel trusses.
He, however, could not be drawn to say when the work would be completed.
Ministers have visited the centre but it still remains in its sorry state.
Last year, Vice President Michael Usi invaded the familiar arena that shaped his artistic career, visiting BCC where he lamented delays in its rehabilitation.
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He called on relevant authorities to get their act together and complete renovations soonest with Director of Buildings Sam Ngoma assuring him that by October last year, the works would be finalised.
But October passed with no completion and now in the second month of 2025, creatives still wait for the opening of BCC.
In 2023, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda also visited BCC where he ordered the contractor – Opco Limited to finish off the works.
A taskforce was initiated by some artists last year with the aim of lobbying for the reopening of the centre as soon as possible by engaging relevant players saying they were tired of the delays.
