ELIAS MAGINYA IN GWERU
The Midlands Teen Arts Awards (MTAA) have been rebranded to Midlands Royal Arts Awards (MRAA) in response to concerns that they were not inclusive.
Farai Chigumbu,
Kumbirai Kupfavira.
Jnr Minister of state for Midlands – Tanatswa C Cube,
Jnr Mayor, City of Gweru, Calton Nenutenzi
Established in 2019 by Clever Bokosha and Farai Chigumbu, the MTAA had arguably become the notable arts promoter in the Midlands Province.
The awards initially concentrated on teenagers in arts within the Midlands province, but calls from some players in the industry forced them to rebrand.
“The idea was to concentrate more on teenagers, nurturing young talents, but we faced some challenges in blending these teens with adults,” Chigumbu said.
“Some artistes and stakeholders were taking the idea literally as if it is for teenagers only. We also realised that there is indeed a gap to fill in our Province. There are no distinguished organisations that recognise artistes in such a way at provincial level,” Chigumbu said.
Bokosha said MRAA seeks to recognise, appreciate and promote all talented youths in the Midlands Province.
“The awards are also a way of creating competitive ideas within the individuals who are in the cultural and creative industries. MRAA also aims to embrace the different talents that people have and also a way to encourage other individuals in the country who are doing nothing to discover their purposes,” he said.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Midlands Provincial manager, Kumbirai Kupfavira said that the occasion must encourage and motivate the corporate world to chip-in and make sure that such visions must not just die.
“At this juncture it is therefore important to call upon everyone in the Province to play a role in promoting arts. Thus, I would like to appeal to the corporate world to partner with the arts sector to enhance this idea.”
