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The Democratic Alliance welcomes the completion of renovations and refurbishments at the Northern Cape Theatre.

It has been a long road since the department of Labour closed it down in 2008 citing occupational safety and hazard problems, with more than R20million already been spent on renovations.

While we welcome the completion of refurbishments and ultimately its opening later this month, the DA is concerned that the theatre would need about R8million a year to cover operational costs.

The department of Sport, Arts and Culture must now present a solid plan detailing how the operational budget for the theatre will be covered.

Above all the theatre must become a beacon for arts and cultural activities in the province and serve to boost the socio-economic development of the people of the Northern Cape.

We remain happy about the prospects of job opportunities that will be created and that many students will be able to pursue careers in the arts and culture sectors right in the province.

Issued by the DA