Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) formerly French Cultural Centre (BCC), the once mighty entertainment mecca remains a shuttered spotlight awaiting its restoration.
The hub which was ransacked by thieves in 2011 has this year clocked 15 years and its story remains that it is not yet clear when it will reopen for activities.
The rehabilitation works have since stopped following a request by the contractor for price adjustments owing to price increase of materials on the market.
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Spokesperson Macmillan Mwale confirmed the development Wednesday saying the request for price adjustments by Opco Limited is covered in the contract.
“The submissions are being reviewed by Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA). If approved, the contractor will finish the rehabilitations this year. If not approved, the remaining works will have to be re-tendered as procedures require,” Mwale said.
The rehabilitation works for BCC have moved at a snail’s pace since the works launched.
Early this year, the works also stopped due to payment which had been since December 2025.
The current development means creatives in the country have to continue waiting for BCC’s reopening.
A visit to the BCC recently has showed some headway on the Amphitheatre whose roofing has been done but there are other final works that need to be finalised.
BCC has had several visits of ministers that have made assurances of reopening the entertainment mecca but nothing has happened so far with the venue remaining an eyesore.
Director of Arts in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga also said that the contractor made submissions for price adjustments and that this was reviewed and submitted to PPDA.
He further admitted that the rehabilitation works have been moving at a snail’s pace.
The government bought BCC formerly French Cultural Centre from the French government at K300 million but this far millions of kwachas have been lost.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata recently also assured creatives in the country that BCC would be rehabilitated soonest.