Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
REVERED arts practitioner Daniel Maposa has called on the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) to revive meaningful stakeholder conferences during Culture Month, saying such platforms are critical for the development and resuscitation of the arts sector.
Zimbabwe’s Culture Month celebrations officially kicked off on May 21 at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, where thousands of people gathered for a colourful showcase of the country’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
President Mnangagwa officiated at the national launch, which brought together citizens, artistes, traditional leaders and creatives from across the country under the theme “Cultural Diversity: Advancing Vision 2030”.
Maposa, who is the director of Savanna Trust, said Culture Month should go beyond performances and celebrations to include structured engagements that allow for deeper policy and industry discussions.
“There’s a need to revive or create a platform in the form of a conference so that we don’t see Culture Month as a mere process, but as a symposium. Important discussions can emerge from such a platform, which can also allow us to invite heads of other ministries.
“It’s not ideal to engage alone, as we often end up only meeting junior officials. We need to revive the conference and ensure that experts are invited,” said Maposa.
He said such engagements would strengthen coordination within the arts sector and ensure that key decisions are informed by senior policymakers and industry experts.
Maposa added that meaningful dialogue during Culture Month would help unlock solutions to long-standing challenges facing creatives and cultural practitioners in Zimbabwe. – Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
