….as creative sector demands fair share
Tawanda Marwizi
Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry faces a mammoth task in working with the$53,5 million the ministry was allocated in the 2019 National Budget.
The creative sector which employs hundreds of thousands is asking for a fair share from the allocated amount to enhance its growth and contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
A successful creative industry builds the economy at a local level, enhances surrounding non-arts businesses. It also provides job opportunities and ways for individuals to participate in activities associated with the arts and cultural events. A lot lies ahead for the minister who has a strong background in sports.
Players are calling for the creation of an arts development fund that will be administered by a credible board. But before that some of them believe there is need for the Minister to call for an arts indaba.
One of the arts and promotion companies Jive Zimbabwe has requested the minister to balance all the sectors in enhancing the development of the creative sector in the country.
The organisation’s director Benjamin Nyandoro said: “Youth and Sports are more demanding ministries but now we are asking the minister to take the creative industry seriously. We would expect her to come out in the open and tell us how much has been allocated to National Arts Council of Zimbabwe so that these public funds are well accounted for,” said Nyandoro.
There is also need for consultative planning to come up with innovative and sustainable strategic plans for arts and culture promotion.
Eugene Museredza, manager of Afro Jazz musician Mbeu said: “There is a lot that needs to be done in order to make the creative industry productive. Like Wenera there is need to have production houses owned by the government so that they become accessible to the communities out there,” he said.
Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Network for Economic and Social Transformation (Zinest) Takemore Mazuruse called on the government to engage relevant authorities before allocating the money. “As young people, we have the willpower to contribute to nation building but only if the requisite support is availed. $53.5 million for a ministry that deals with various sectors with the potential to rake in billions is a far cry. It is imperative that government engages relevant stakeholders before it allocates funding for the respective ministries,” he said.
