Which way Blantyre Cultural Centre
It has been over eight years since the Malawi Government took over from the French Embassy what used to be called French Cultural Centre and renamed it Blantyre Cultural Centre.
The idea was to make the centre more vibrant for the arts sector. But ever since, the place has deteriorated, equipment stolen and what stands at the once thriving hub of entertainment is a sorry sight.
After the handover, the honorary French consul came up with an alternative arts venue, Jacaranda Cultural Centre at Mandala in Blantyre where artists have been performing, at least giving arts lovers some solace.
Now, the property owners have given Jacaranda Cultural Centre notice to vacate the premises. This has stirred panic among artists as they will be homeless, igniting a debate that maybe government should hand over Blantyre Cultural Centre back to the French consul for its effective running.
A statement signed by the honorary French representative and director of Jacaranda Cultural Centre and Maison de la France, Luc Deschamps, reads in part: “JCC is looking for a new home! The landlord of Jacaranda Cultural Centre and Maison de la France at Top Mandala has given us a three-month notice, as they need their premises to be turned back into offices.
“In 2016, we transformed the venue into classrooms, exhibition areas and a beautiful performing space. Hundreds of cultural events have taken place at JCC over the years in all forms of Art: theatre, poetry, live music, notably our popular Sounds of Malawi acoustic sessions, visual art exhibitions, book launches, conferences, meetings venues for artists from Malawi and beyond.”
However, the news did not go down well with some artists who expressed their wish for Jacaranda to reoccupy the Blantyre Cultural Centre which has failed to retain its former glory over the years under the Malawi Government.
Musician Ben Mankhamba said: “This is really terrible for arts. Why can’t government just give back Blantyre Cultural Centre to the French government?”
On his part, videographer Roland ‘Ron Cz’ Zeleza of Red Ink Media suggested that Jacaranda Cultural Centre should take back the Blantyre Cultural Centre because government is not showing interest to promote culture by renovating the venue.
He said: “I wish government could just give back the Blantyre Cultural Centre to the French authorities because there is nothing tangible that is happening at the centre since government got it from the French Embassy.”
Government of Malawi bought the French Cultural Centre from the French Embassy in 2011 at K300 million after 38 years of operation. In 2016, the French government moved to secure Top Mandala offices in Blantyre and turned it into another arts centre, this time named Jacaranda Cultural Centre and Maison De la France.
While Blantyre Cultural Centre has been facing challenges and lack of progress on its renovation programme. To date, government is still singing the song of renovations, with nothing to show for it.
However, reacting to the calls, Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture director of culture Humphreys Mpondaminga downplayed the possibility of the French embassy regaining ownership of Blantyre Cultural Centre.
He said: “Blantyre Cultural Centre is a brand on its own which seeks to spearhead own mission, values and agenda. So, I don’t think it can reflect well to merge with the mission of the French Cultural Centre.
“But for arts and cultural activities are always intermixed to promote unity.”
Mpondaminga blamed erratic funding and lengthy procurement processes for delayed renovations of the arts hub.
“Renovations at Blantyre Cultural Centre started in 2016, but have suffered a number of major set-backs such as lack of funding and withdrawal by contractor along the way. This has had a negative impact on the progress.
“But this time around, we are optimistic that things will improve. This financial year we are working on the amphitheater and in the next financial year we are embarking on the renovations of the reception, offices and the auditorium,” he said.
