Tawanda Marwizi
HARARE – Captains of the creative industry say they have not been consulted in the formulation of a culture and heritage policy, which is set to be launched tomorrow, Business Times has learnt.
The National Arts, Culture and Heritage Policy has been crafted to resonate with the current national development framework and processes. The document builds upon previous researches and the Culture Policy document of 2007, while drawing attention to issues that have not received adequate consideration from the previous Culture Policy.
It seeks to address the major needs, concerns and opportunities within the creative sector, while enhancing its contribution to national development goals.
However, players in the arts industry say they had not been consulted in the formulation of the policy document.
Ministry of Sports, Culture and Recreation officials said Minister Raymond Kazembe distributed a soft copy of the policy during his first encounter with stakeholders in the sector early this year; a claim disputed by musicians and dancers who have engaged the local arts governing board, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ).
Zimbabwe Musicians Union leader Edith WeUtonga said they got the news through the grapevine and have tried to get information from NACZ but her efforts went in vain.
“Only yesterday I tried to get in touch with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe but I have not received anything from them. We were not consulted on this one,” WeUtonga said.
Jibilika dance festival director Plot Mhako said he was not aware of the policy and the launch.
“We have never been consulted in this matter,” he said.
Chitungwiza Arts Centre chairman Taurai Tigere said they were only told that there was a soft copy of the document.
“We are yet to receive a formal invitation. We are however aware there is a soft copy of the document. We have not received it as of now,” he said.
Renowned filmmaker Joe Njagu said he was not aware of both the launch and the content of the document.
“I am not aware of anything in the document. Please write that we have not been consulted on this one,” he said.
NACZ acting director Nicholas Moyo referred all questions to the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Recreation.
“Anything that has to do with policy is handled by the ministry so they are in a better position to give details on that,” he said.
Director of Arts in the ministry, Biggie Samwanda, said they had proposed to have the document launched at the Harare International Conference Centre by President Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe has a long history of creative expression. This has been seen through the various rock paintings spread in Mashonaland and Matabeleland. It has also been seen through stone sculpture given prominence by Henry Munyaradzi, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Bernard Matemera, Joseph Ndandarika and lately Dominic Benhura.
Song and dance has also played a huge part in society and the rich history can be seen through the various co-ordination of dance types such as Jerusarema, Muchongoyo, Amabhiza, Mbakumba, Ingquza, Chinyobera and Ngungu.
However, the country has not been able to derive any significant value from this expressive sector and any successes that have occurred in the different sub-sectors are at an individual level.
On its part, Government has not provided significant funding to promote the arts since independence and yet Zimbabwe could reap major economic and social benefits if it efficiently develops and promotes its creative economy.
