Playhouse's 15-year clean audit streak, a rare class act
KWAZULU-NATAL's premier arts complex, The Playhouse Company, has maintained an extraordinary 15-year streak of clean audits while creating over 9,000 artist jobs annually under the leadership of CEO and Artistic Director, Lynda Bukhosini.
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FOR 15 consecutive years, The Playhouse Company has quietly achieved a clean audit record that many public entities can only dream of.
At the helm of this remarkable milestone of unsullied financial management and strict governance is CEO and Artistic Director Precious Lynda Bukhosini, who attributes the achievement to a deeply embedded culture of ethical leadership, discipline and accountability.
"Clean audits don't happen overnight.
"They are the outcome of years of building strong systems where transparency, compliance and hard work are non-negotiable," said Bukhosini.
She explained that the theatre's success is anchored in meticulous internal audit processes, continuous risk management and regular staff training to ensure everyone understands their compliance responsibilities.
At governance level, Bukhosini says trust between management and the accounting authority, the Council, is key to maintaining stability without overreach.
A professionally trained opera musician, Bukhosini is in familiar territory leading KwaZulu-Natal's premier performing arts theatre.
Each year, the theatre's performance plan, aligned to its long-term strategic plan, is approved and closely monitored by management. Quarterly reports are then submitted to the Council to ensure targets are met and corrective steps are taken where necessary.
"Council plays its oversight role without interfering in daily operations. That balance of independence and accountability ensures strong checks and balances across the value chain," she said.
Like most public entities, The Playhouse operates under tight financial constraints. Yet Bukhosini said strict planning and constant monitoring allow the organisation to remain fully compliant despite shrinking budgets.
"Our CFO (chief financial officer) and finance team enforce tight internal controls. Every cent is accounted for, and any risk of irregular or fraudulent activity is kept under close scrutiny," she explained.
The Playhouse receives artistic programming funding from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (KZNDSAC), with strict targets linked to every financial item. While artistic demand far exceeds available resources, partnerships with independent practitioners help keep the programme vibrant.
Despite financial pressures, the institution continues to make a significant impact. In the 2024–25 financial year alone, The Playhouse provided job opportunities to 9 324 artists, staged 142 productions, and hosted about 450 performances.
"These numbers don't cater for every artist in the province, but they show that thousands continue to earn quality employment through The Playhouse.
"With increased funding, our artistic output could be even greater," Bukhosini said.
However, she cautioned that consistent clean audits have not translated into improved funding. Instead, the organisation has faced regular budget cuts that threaten service delivery across KwaZulu-Natal.
"To bridge the gap, we rely heavily on partnerships and box-office income from high-performing productions. This allows us to continue creating employment for close to 10 000 artists a year," she said, singling out loyal audiences whose ticket purchases sustain the theatre.
Bukhosini believes clean audits should be the minimum standard for all public institutions, not a rare achievement.
"We set targets annually and work smartly and diligently to meet them. Where there are shortcomings, we act decisively."
She said the organisation’s clean governance record is sustained through continuous planning, accountability, corrective action and what she calls "sterling leadership".
Her sentiments were echoed by the chairperson of The Playhouse Company Council, Khwezi Kunene, who said the achievement is a testament to the hard work, diligence and commitment of the management team and staff to uphold the highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability.
Beyond the numbers, The Playhouse continues to engage regularly with artists to ensure transparency around available opportunities and institutional limitations. Through these engagements and collaborations, the theatre maintains a thriving cultural programme despite financial obstacles.
Yesterday, it hosted Inkos'yamagcokama Live in Concert for the second year in a row. Last year's sold-out show was the first of its kind for maskandi, as the artist, who was celebrating 10 years in the industry, was supported by a live band.
The theatre company also plans to wrap up 2025 on a high note with an array of shows, including A Christmas Celebration, which features artists like seasoned pianist Don Laka and gospel vocalist Ayanda Ntanzi, accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.