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Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday challenged living legends in the arts and entertainment industry to continue transferring skills and knowledge to the younger generation.
Amai Mnangagwa met with the living legends who were drawn from the country’s 10 provinces at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare as she commemorated their artistic work. The artists represented a diverse discipline that included visual arts, music, drama, dance, and media arts.
She also cushioned them from the effects of the Covid-19 lockdown by providing food hampers and other items with the unique support programme being the first of its kind.
There was fun and jubilation as the First Lady joined the legends on the dance floor.
The engagement was a continuation of the exercise that the First Lady started with the cultural and creative industries (CCIS) community from the Southern region when she held an indaba in Bulawayo last year.
Addressing the gathering, Amai Mnangagwa said the legacy of the living legends would go a long way in shaping the country’s cultural heritage.
“I would like to urge all of you to continue transferring to the younger generation, the skills and knowledge that you have acquired during all these years. This is safeguarding our creative heritage resulting in the nation not losing a single grain of these diverse skills, experiences and wisdom that you have,” she said.
Vowing to continue holding similar initiatives, Amai Mnangagwa said the cultural and creative sector would continue to grow and impact positively on the national Gross Domestic Product.
“I am aware that I owe the Northern region of the CCIS an indaba as I continue with my engagement with the sector players. As soon as this invisible enemy in the name of Covid-19 pandemic is under control, we will partake in that engagement which is already planned by the Ministry,” she said.
She said there was need to acknowledge the great work done by the yesteryear artistes.
“Today is actually a unique day. I realised that while the CCIS sector is closed and there is no income getting to those whom I would call our active artists, because they have not been showcasing what they are known for doing best due to Covid-19 national lockdown. I also noticed there is a unique group of artists in our society nationwide who have been entertaining us for the past 20 to 40 years, but are no longer very active today and their lives too have been impacted by this pandemic.
“I then said to myself, there should be something that we can do for this group that we are calling the living legends of the cultural and creative industries sector and it is for this reason that we are gathered here,” said the First Lady.
Amai Mnangagwa said the cultural and creative industries were not only a source of entertainment, but also a source of knowledge and wisdom.
She added that the cultural and creative industries played a critical role in issues of social cohesion, unity, the national wellness and happiness of the people.
The sector, she said, contributed to the national branding resulting in the portrayal of a positive image of the country.
“As we put Zimbabwe on the map by engaging and re-engagement we also use cultural diplomacy and most importantly all these impact the Gross Domestic Product of Zimbabwe.
“It is for this reason that, I have been invited all of you to acknowledge the role that you have played and continue to play within the sector.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is here with us and this has resulted in your revenue streams adversely affected by Covid-19. It is in this context that; I would like to offer my support to living legends within the sector to cushioning you during these difficult times,” she said.
She further urged the artistes to be cautious during the Covid-19 lockdown measures despite a significant drop in the number of infections and death.
“I urge you to take note that Covid-19 is real, although there has been a significant drop in the number of infections and death, let us remain vigilant by masking up, practicing social distance, sanitising or washing our hands with running water and soap. Together we will fight this pandemic.
“I wish to commend artistes for your informative and educational short skits and video clips of spoken word and poetry on Covid-19 awareness that we see on television on Whatsapp and even online platforms. I need not to mention your voices on this matter on our public and private radio stations as they are already known. The upcoming artistes partaking in this exercise get mentorship from you, our living legends,” she said.
Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry said the living legends should promote the country’s cultural identity.
She applauded the First Lady for supporting creative cultural industry which is expected to add value to the vision 2030.
Her deputy, Tino Machakaire said his ministry was putting in place programmes earmarked for living legends in the cultural and creative industry.
Among the living legends who graced the occasion were Hosiah Chipanga, Nicholas Zakaria of Khiama Boys, Paradzai Mesi and prolific novelist, playwright and actor, Aaron Chiundura Moyo.
Others were Jonah Moyo, Jeys Marabini, Chase Skuza, actor Rumbidzai Ribombo from Beitbridge and traditional dancer, Ellen Mlangeni of the famous Thandanani Women Ensemble.
Chiundura Moyo commended the First Lady for the kind gesture.
“We are grateful to be remembered while still alive. We are happy that our works are being recognised. As legends, we need to transfer our skills and knowledge to the next generation,” he said.
He appealed to the Government to set up empowerment projects and a centre for the living legends where they could meet and share experiences with upcoming artistes.
Jeys Marabini also hailed Amai Mnangagwa for recognising their efforts.
“This is the first event of its kind and we are very happy to be accorded such recognition,” he said.
Chipanga, known for his satirical lyrics that focus on social commentary, praised the First Lady for remembering them during trying times. Mlangeni also hailed the First Lady for her warm gesture.
It was all smiles as the legends received food hampers and blankets from the First Lady.
Online Reporter