Don’t delay centre opening any longer

ALLOW me to challenge the current administration not to delay any longer the dream for a black child to participate in the arts.

It is critical that we build a healthy, positive community through drama, poetry, music and drawing, what we call art.

In September last year people were asked to submit their applications and more than 2 000 people applied for the jobs that were advertised for the Mendi Arts Centre. We were made to understand that the project would be managed by the Opera House.

People were waiting in great anticipation for the response.

The applicants were told via The Herald that the Mendi Arts Centre operation would go to tender (“Opening finally on cards for 20-year-old Mendi centre project”, March 23).

Surely the people who took the trouble to apply deserve better.

The centre is in New Brighton and it makes sense that the New Brighton community should be central to the implementation of the project, not mere recipients.

Neighbours need to be actively involved to safeguard the centre, they are the eyes and the ears of this project.

The centre will need someone who understands the community dynamics, a face that the community can identify with.

May I beg the administration to speed up the process and take it back to the Opera House to finish the process it has started?

Let us not use this project to score political points.

We need to develop people and the youth with strong arts skills.

The arts centre should work as the intervention that will enable young minds to take charge of their lives.

Time has been wasted already, now it’s time to kick-start the project. The arts centre should be the beacon of hope for the community.

Mncedisi Mvinjelwa, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth