The South African State Theatre’s management team met with the mayor of Tshwane and various municipal officials to discuss the future of the theatre. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
The South African State Theater hopes to strengthen its ties with Afrikaans theatergoers through close collaboration and workshops with, among others, the Voortrekker Monument and the Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Associations (FAK).
This is one of the goals that Shane Maja, CEO of the State Theatre, highlighted this week during dr. Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s first official visit to the theatre.
The South African State Theatre. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
Moya, accompanied by several municipal officials, visited the theater to discuss, among other things, a cooperation agreement for increased security around the theater, the implementation of renewable energy, as well as the renovation and renewal of the city center.
“We didn’t see it simply as a courtesy visit, but as a necessary step to support the development of the arts in the area,” says Maja.
He has held the theater management position since November and Maja, also a former drama student, says a book about the State Theatre’s opening night in 1981 inspired him anew and reminded him that they “shouldn’t reinvent the wheel” when it comes to improvement.
“At the time, in my job interview, I had already raised my idea for the repositioning of the State Theatre. I believe we have lost touch with who we are as a theatre.
Shane Maja, CEO of the State Theater, introduces Dr. Nasiphi Moya, mayor of Tshwane, leading his team. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
“We first had to identify all the necessary role players, such as the presidency, city, orchestra, ballet and opera company and especially Afrikaans communities, and renew our relations with them.
“That’s why we contacted the Voortrekker monument, because like the other role players there is a lot we can learn from each other,” says Maja.
“Two things stand out to me about the Voortrekker Monument: firstly the excellent work they do with marketing, tourism and the way they manage the site, and secondly the emotional connection the monument has with its community.
“No one can function in isolation, and the fact that the Voortrekker Monument accepted our invitation and invited us to them is very exciting.”
The State Theater is looking for more Afrikaans theatergoers through its doors. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
According to Maja, he “has a lot in common with Afrikaans culture”.
“We are not just people of paper; we must first resonate with each other and form connections. You must see and understand my interests and intentions, and we must first build friendships. We are still getting to know each other, but I am excited about what the future may hold between our institutions and communities.”
Although he describes his goal to attract more Afrikaans audiences and tourists as “a kind of obsession”, he emphasizes that issues such as the drastic improvement of security in the city center should benefit all theater goers.
“We’ve seen areas around places like Loftus and Hazelwood position themselves as great places for entertainment and leisure. We want the same for this area. Absa and the Reserve Bank have made the necessary improvements. So the onus is on us to also stand up and encourage improvements that will strengthen the whole city district.”
Renovation and renewal of the city center is high on the theater’s priority list. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
For this, cooperation with the City of Tshwane is crucial.
“Security and access must be prioritized, including the deployment of visible policing in the city center and especially the routes by which you access the State Theatre. There must be patrols in and around Sammy Marx Square, the theater and Reserve Bank, so that we can encourage more pedestrians in the area,” he explains.
According to Maja, the meeting with the mayor went well, but as a self-confessed “man of action” her focus is on implementing the discussed solutions.
“They gave us an opportunity to share our plans and goals for the theater and also told us what work is already being done to achieve many of the same goals.
Dr. Nasiphi Moya, Mayor of Tshwane. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
“We have always enjoyed a good relationship with the municipality and also just wanted to remind them that as the city they have a duty towards the State Theater and its success,” says Maja.
“Our mandate is the promotion of art, culture and heritage, and the mayor’s mandate is the city and security. The things we ask for, like renewable energy and rebates on the water and power bill, are not to fill our own pockets and salaries, but to redirect those funds to the kind of programs and initiatives that will support our mandate.
“The arts thrive on philanthropy and patrons of the arts, and the city must be our top patron.”