adminYeukai Karengezeka Entertainment Reporter
Cultural and artistic activities should start offering significant input to the growth of the economy, a Cabinet minister has said. In a speech read on his behalf at the end of year exhibition of works by the School of Visual Art and Design students at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe last week, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said the cultural industry should be able to create employment, services and products to the nation.
“Cultural and artistic activities should cease to be just for entertainment only. They need to take a new dimension where they have a significant input in the growth of our economy.”
Minister Langa also urged people in the creative sector to explore many opportunities for employment and become the pioneers of positive national identity.
“We have hardly tapped into the several opportunities for employment and significant contribution of the same to the growth of the economy. You and I are increasingly expected to be the main purveyors of positive national identity, the values of ubuntu and to promote patriotism among Zimbabweans and engender pan-Africanism in us,” he said.
Minister Langa exalted the school for continually producing students with necessary boldness required to succeed and become full-time artists.
“All of the students who enrol at the school leave equipped with art skills, confidence and exposure to international standards. This is in line with the Government’s goal to empower marginalised sectors of society and to create employment for the youths. “We are pleased that the school continues to help develop the creative industry of Zimbabwe as art is essential to uphold our national heritage and culture,” he said.
The exhibition, which showcases works of different works from the students is running under the theme “Green Shots”.
Online Reporter