The Mendi Arts Centre is owned by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

Consult our TOUR GUIDES for tours of the centre.

Experience the vibrant heartbeat of New Brighton at the Mendi Arts Centre, where you can enjoy live performances, immersive art exhibitions, and dynamic cultural events that showcase the rich talent of Gqeberha’s creative community. Whether you’re attending a theatre show, music concert, or local arts workshop, the Mendi Arts Centre offers an unforgettable cultural experience in the Eastern Cape.

The Mendi Arts Centre, located in New Brighton, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), is a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to nurturing and showcasing local talent. Officially opened on 28 April 2021, the centre was transformed from a former apartheid-era beer hall into a modern facility for the arts, with a development cost of R25 million funded by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Named after the SS Mendi, a ship that tragically sank in 1917 with over 600 South African troops aboard, the centre serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s history. It provides artists from across the metro with spaces for rehearsal, performance, and exhibitions, fostering a creative environment for various art forms.

Beyond its role as an artistic venue, the Mendi Arts Centre is also a community gathering point, hosting events and initiatives that contribute to the cultural and social fabric of New Brighton and the broader Gqeberha area.

Arts & Culture, Artists, Arts, Arts & Craft Tours, Beads & Beadwork, Craft Market, Curio / Souvenirs, Dance, Drama, Theatre, Film Location, Township