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Nkululeko Nkala
In a week where most of the local creative sector was on complaint mode in regards to appreciation of the local arts scene, I chose to embrace this fragile baby with a need for tender loving care.
We have said this more than enough times, because we believe the arts can contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, and believe me, we can do a little bit of the math to see how much our export talent racks in.
We can tell you how many young people are employed by this beautiful industry. Arts is one of the few local industries that feed into many other ministries that can benefit both country and artistes.
Our arts go beyond Mapfumo, Tuku (May he rest in peace), Jah Prayzah and Winky D. Our arts are beautiful, from Imbube music (probably the most exportable), jazz, choral music, visual arts, film, literature and theatre to name a few. Bulawayo is rightly placed as the cultural hub of the country and is pregnant with all these arts genres. So what’s lacking? Well, a lot more could be done. That question has been asked ten fold and answers supplied to that effect. I will try to answer that again. Number one on that list will be funding. The arts need a cash injection, a boost, a jump start, but cash by any other name.
Back in the day National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (Nacz) ran such a fund. Though with its faults it really worked wonders for the arts industry. There was obviously the Culture Fund and with its faults still kept a lot of arts organisations alive, either through institutional or project funding.
Our budget for once did put a few smiles as we were allocated (though little) 53 million between arts, sport and youth. I will be lying if I said I knew if anything has happened to that effect. The last interaction we had with our bosses was soon after the cabinet announcement when they came to interact with us “again”. We can’t honestly sit on our laurels and expect miracles when we are not putting in money hours.
We need state-of-the-art venues to complement the works that are already out there. We need smart partnerships with embassies that have bases in Zimbabwe so we can export our arts to their countries. We need to sync with the ministry of tourism to market our destinations and again export our art. Imagine if music studios were equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. If we could film movies in this country. I do not remember any quality high budget movie shot in Bulawayo besides Power of One in the early 90s.
The arts need love and hope. The works are there, all we need now is to work together. The arts industry, Ministry and audiences alike.
Until next week, be safe… @nkuenkala 0772214373
Online Reporter