The Sod Turning ceremony of the Limpopo Provincial Theatre
Construction of the R376 million first provincial theatre in Limpopo has begun.
The theatre will be built next to Bakone Malapa Open Air Museum, along the R37 road towards Lebowakgomo, just outside Polokwane.
The construction of the theatre was first announced in 2016 by Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha during his State of the Province’s Address (SOPA).
Mathabatha said that the theatre will become an economic boost that will extend to adjacent sectors like hospitality, tourism, and local businesses.
“The theatre, in particular, is significant here at home because our province has rich cultural heritage. A provincial theatre, therefore, becomes a beacon for preserving and promoting the unique history, traditions, and stories that define the local identity.”
“Moreover, we are opening up a stage for economic growth and development. The completed structure should stimulate the creative and cultural industries, generating employment opportunities for various professionals such as stage managers, voice-over artists, designers, and performers.”
The theatre will occupy 10 hectares of land, and the building area is said to be 17,000m2, consisting of a theatre with 600 seats. A secondary building will have a seating capacity of 200. The landscaping, parking, and driveway area will be 7,000m2.
MEC of sports, arts and culture Nakedi Kekana said the project’s duration is 24 months, and the theatre will be handed over to the community of Limpopo by May 31, 2026.
“We are not just dreaming local; the completed project will look to attract local, national, and international audiences so that they may contribute to the growth of the creative economy, positively impacting our province’s GDP. This economic boost extends to adjacent sectors like hospitality, tourism, and local businesses, creating a ripple effect that benefits the entire community.”
“We are building a bridge between cultures and generations so that the structure itself becomes a melting pot where different artistic genres converge, promoting social cohesion and understanding. This would be speaking to our core mandate as Department.”
Supporting facilities such as a restaurant and bar, a coffee shop, a bookshop, poetry spaces, covered parking, internal road networks, access road, and road widening along the provincial road to accommodate new traffic are some of the additions to be constructed on-site