adminThobekisiwe Gumede
BULAWAYO artistes have launched a trust meant to assist in improving the social welfare of Zimbabwean artistes in and outside the country to try and avoid a situation where artistes are given pauper burials when they die.
The launch of the trust Web of Love which was held last week at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo was witnessed by more than 15 arts groups.
Speaking during the launch the chairperson of the trust, Thomeki Dube, who is also the founder of the most travelled imbube group Black Umfolosi said the coming together of artistes as a council provides easy collaboration and networking with Government on matters that affect artistes in their lives.
“This trust is an attempt at unionising ourselves as workers in order to protect our interests. With this remark it is imperative that we have a good working relationship with our parent ministry and the Government of Zimbabwe as we shall deal with a lot of legal and policy issues in furthering the interests of ourselves as artistes in the country,” said Dube.
“It should be noted that most of our artistes die in poverty past their peak years due to limited knowledge of how best they can handle their resources which they squander while others get exploited by unscrupulous producers. However, the majority have had their earning power eroded through piracy which has happened in line with technological advancement especially related to the growth of the Internet.”
He said there were countries like Botswana which have managed to control piracy by crafting laws that ensure piracy had no fertile ground to grow within the country.
“As artistes we feel like we have to have laws that are going to regulate people from stealing other people’s works like in Botswana where one can be jailed for piracy.
“We want artistes to be able to maintain the lifestyle that they earned themselves in their productive years and as such we are appealing for grants from the Government. Currently the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe has not been doing enough for us,” he said.
Dube said artistes needed an equal share when it comes to performing at national events.
“If you look closely at most of the shows done in the country 99 percent of the performers come from the capital yet there are other good artistes all over the country, we want that to be taken care of because it is in such events that we get our bread,” he said.
The principal director in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, Reverend Paul Damasane who spoke on behalf Minister, Andrew Langa urged artistes to take their work as a business.
“We will try by all means to support you, however, it is important to note that art is not a hobby. If you want your trust to see the light of the day you have to work hard and have a business mind when you do your work. The problem with most of you is that you don’t invest in your work, you are like birds that eat their eggs and then at the end of the day you complain. No one will ever bring money, there is none,” said Damasane.
He said the ministry was working on a national cultural policy that would promote cultural growth in the country through art.
“We are upgrading the policy which was drafted in 2007. We have heard your concerns and when the policy comes out we will make sure most of your grievances are taken care of,” he said.
Web of Love trust membership is open to all Zimbabwean artistes in and out of the country.
Currently there are more than 50 group members with some of the groups having nearly ten members.
Online Reporter