TAWANDA MARWIZI
The appointment of 35year-old Kirsty Coventry as the minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation has not only attracted cheers from all corners of the country but has also revitalised the hopes of the arts and culture sector that has for years been considered as underdog.
Hopes are that she will manage to turn the fortunes of the arts sector into a multi-million dollar business like what other countries have managed to do.
Coventry’s ability is not in doubt as she raised the country’s flag on several occasions.
However, a lot lies ahead of her. To start with, there is need to revisit the National Culture and Heritage policy that was recently launched by her predecessor Kazembe Kazembe. The policy was launched without her making consultations with the industry stakeholders. Though the former minister insists that he distributed the soft copy of the document, industry captains are not even aware of the policy even up to now.
Therefore, there is need now to revisit it again and make it an allinclusive document.
The sector expects the newlyappointed minister to facilitate arts education from primary to tertiary level so that people can have a clear understanding of the industry. A group of young and vibrant arts stakeholders called Africa Innovation Trust in conjunction with Jive Zimbabwe have proposed that government should come up with a command arts programme.
Any progressive mind would agree with what Africa Innovation Trust proposed, command arts would be a way to go.
For command arts to be in motion, Coventry needs to engage the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and all the players in the industry.
The arts sector is calling on the minister to do consultative planning so that she is able to come up with innovative and sustainable strategic plans for the sector.
Coventry needs to understand that the sector is corrupted with hidden viruses such as piracy, corruption and the abuse of artistes’ rights in any form and there is need to fight for the enforcement of existing legislation.
Artists with the capacity to invest in arts centres should get government support. For example, Nicholas Zakaria has for years yearned for the construction of an arts centre in Chitungwiza but due to piracy and the failure by the arts sector to capacitate its player, the musician’s dream lies in limbo.
Four years ago, former Sport and Arts minister Andrew Langa promised to facelift Murehwa Cultural Center but his promise never materialised. Community-based festivals need to be revived and supported to encourage and scout for talent that will take the sector forward.
The arts sector’s potential lies in her hands and the ministry and Coventry has to abide by the President’s word that he has appointed young energetic ministers who will deliver.
