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Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Correspondent
BULAWAYO residents have been encouraged to preserve the city’s heritage and culture while tapping into the endowment for the economic development of the region.
Bulawayo’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said this at an awards ceremony held at Bulawayo Theatre to honour Imbube legends on Friday night.
Bulawayo metropolitan province has remained the epicentre of cultural and creative arts and it is against this background that the minister called for the preservation and commercialisation of this heritage.
Culture which entails a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that define a group of people, includes the elements that characterize a particular peoples’ way of life.
Organised by Thobela Arts Foundation, the awards ceremony saw performing artists, imbube legends both living and departed being honoured. While reaffirming Government’s commitment towards promoting local culture, Minister Ncube bemoaned how citizens are now so westernised and despise their own culture.
“It is important for us as Zimbabweans to preserve our cultural heritage and the best way is to keep it alive. As Government, we are ready to work with organisations that promote the local culture particularly those working with our youths some of whom have lost their culture.
“Today, if you take a walk on our streets, the youths, even adults have become so westernised that they despise their own culture and associate it with backwardness. They think and believe that culture from other countries is superior and should be embraced. Let us take pride in our Zimbabwean culture,” said Minister Ncube.
The world is slowly transforming with the creative industries and arts now playing a pivotal role in driving economies. The awards ceremony saw a number of imbube groups from the city showcasing their talents. — @nyeve14
Online Reporter