Policy and Budget Speech 2015
MBOMBELA – Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC, Norah Mahlangu-Mabena has pledged that her department will work hard this financial year to deliver services to the people of Mpumalanga.
‘’We will continue working hard to roll-out services in the province so that our people could continue to benefit from progressive programmes rolled out in their communities,’’ said Mahlangu-Mabena during the tabling of the department’s 454 891 million budget to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on May 26.
According to Mahlangu-Mabena, the department will focus on the projects and programmes that will help government in creating job opportunities for the youth. One such project is the Cultural Hub, which will be situated in White River. Upon its conclusion, the Cultural Hub will be a one-stop shop for the creative industry for the SADC region. “We are on the process of attracting Public and Private Partnership for investment in Cultural Hub with an aim of invigorating economic development in the province,” said the MEC.
She continued, “The target on the establishment of the cultural hub was to finalize planning which included architectural design, civil works and other services such as the bill of quantities and these were completed as planned, however based on the bill of quantities, the project proved too costly to be undertaken and they are now in a process of downscaling the plan. The Cultural hub will provide platform for musicians, designers, film and video producers, visual artist and crafters to develop, and showcase their skills.”