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Bubelo Moyo
“If the local arts industry is to grow, then all those that are involved in the arts should take the industry seriously by rewarding contestants with better arts equipment, because it takes more than a bag of maize to nurture and grow future artistes. — Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu (Actor)
The Bulawayo province Geraldine Roche’ Drama (GRD) competitions which were held last Friday at the Music Academy saw the thespians perform in an empty auditorium although it was a free entry function. As if that was not enough, actors who had been promised a trip to South Africa and the Mutambo Festival experience in Harare as rewards, were showered with nothing more than food hampers and a certificate.
An honest suggestion on what future thespians should be rewarded with has led to one of the GRD participants banned from all the proceedings by one of the co-ordinators.
GRD co-ordinator Khaliphile Khally Sibanda has sent home packing, one of the concerned actors, Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu who contacted her through WhatsApp suggesting what they should have been rewarded with something else rather than a hamper of mealie-meal, cooking oil, green bar soap, milk, rice and other basic commodities.
“Yes, a food hamper is necessary but it was not enough because as future artistes we should grow our talent, maybe if they had rewarded us with cameras or anything to do with the arts, it would make more sense, all we received was hampers and US$2 for transport,” said Ndlovu.
GRD has been well known for rewarding participants handsomely with funds to boost their artwork and many artistes registered for this year’s competitions with hopes of getting the rewards.
“We heard that last year, contestants walked away with a lot of money and that’s what we were hoping for as a team so that we could get our own PA system and cameras,” said one actor.
GRD coordinator Sibanda’s phone rang continuously and she was not available for a comment.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter