Authored by: Captain SA |SA Rainbow News |25 June 2026
Date: 24 June 2026
The South African Arts and Culture Youth Forum (SAACYF) Free State has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of arts and culture centres across the province, with particular attention drawn to the situation at the Mmabana Arts and Culture Centre in Thaba Nchu.
#ArtsAndCulture #FreeState #CreativeEconomy
The centre has been without electricity since 21 May 2026 following action taken by Centlec due to outstanding debt. While SAACYF acknowledges that the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is currently undertaking renovations at the facility, the prolonged power outage continues to disrupt the work of creative and cultural practitioners, as well as the communities that rely on the centre.
#MmabanaCentre #CommunityDevelopment #YouthInArts
According to SAACYF Free State Provincial Chairperson, Lekgutsa Mbele, arts and culture centres are intended to serve as the backbone of the creative and cultural sector.
“Across the Free State, arts and culture centres are supposed to be the backbone of the creative and cultural sector. They are where young people first learn to hold a microphone, where community theatre groups stage their first play, and where elders pass on language and dance traditions that might otherwise disappear. However, the reality in most towns and townships is that these facilities exist in name only.”
#ArtsInfrastructure #CulturalHeritage #YouthEmpowerment
SAACYF maintains that the challenges facing Mmabana are not isolated. Across the Free State, from local municipal halls to provincially managed facilities, the pattern remains the same: deferred maintenance, interrupted basic services, and a lack of clear plans for long-term upkeep and sustainability.
“From local municipal halls to provincially managed centres, the pattern is the same: deferred maintenance, interrupted basic services, and no clear plan for upkeep,” said Mbele.
#ServiceDelivery #CommunityFacilities #PublicAssets
Key Issues Identified by SAACYF Free State
1. Systemic Neglect
The deterioration of arts and culture facilities is not limited to one building or municipality. It reflects broader governance and maintenance challenges at local, district, and provincial government levels.
2. Impact on Practitioners
The absence of functional and accessible creative spaces directly affects artists, performers, cultural practitioners, and youth development programmes. It limits opportunities for training, production, performance, and economic participation within the creative sector.
3. Broken Accountability
Without clearly defined accountability mechanisms and maintenance plans, public infrastructure continues to deteriorate, resulting in wasted resources and missed opportunities for community development.
#Governance #CreativeSector #YouthDevelopment
SAACYF Free State’s Demands
SAACYF Free State is calling for:
- An urgent province-wide audit of all government-owned arts and culture facilities to determine which centres are fully operational, partially functional, or abandoned.
- A funded maintenance and infrastructure upgrade plan with clear timelines, public reporting mechanisms, and accountability measures.
- The inclusion of artists, cultural practitioners, and community members in oversight structures to ensure facilities are managed and maintained for their intended purpose.
#Accountability #ArtsFunding #CommunityParticipation
SAACYF Free State reiterates that arts and culture centres are not luxuries. They are essential workspaces, training grounds, and community assets that contribute significantly to social cohesion, cultural preservation, and economic development.
“SAACYF Free State reiterates that arts and culture centres are not luxuries. They are workspaces, training grounds, and community assets. If the Free State is serious about growing the cultural and creative industries, then government buildings must function.”
“The talent in this province is not the problem. The infrastructure is.”
#CreativeIndustries #SupportTheArts #FreeStateArts
For Media Enquiries:
SAACYF Free State Office
📞 081 750 9746
WhatsApp: 081 750 9746
SAACYF Free State Hotline: +27 64 544 6779