adminEmmanuel Ndlovu Saturday Leisure Correspondent
THE future of Eziko Arts Laboratory, an initiative that was set to revive arts industry in Bulawayo, seems to be hanging by a thread due to lack of financial support from relevant stakeholders.
Established in 2009 by Victory Siyanqoba Arts, the programme used to be held every month at Indlovu Youth Centre in Tshabalala.
It brought together local artistes from various disciplines to showcase their talent and give an opportunity for the public to scrutinise them.
This made it popular as it attracted huge numbers of people, who converged to watch a wide array of live performances that cut across drama, music, dance, poetry, storytelling, and puppetry and stand up-comedy.
At this platform, both the established and budding artistes jostled for public attention as they took turns to deliver their best performances to the entertainment-starved communities of the City of Kings and Queens.
Some of these artistes included; celebrated Bulawayo songbird Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi, Khuxman, Otis Ngwabi, Jeys Marabini, Black Umfolosi, Chase Skuza, Martin Sibanda and Ndolwane Super Sounds.
The laboratory resembled a pot, boiling a mixture of artistic ingredients. It was the noble idea of the organizers to bring artistes closer to communities. This also aimed at ensuring that fans familiarized themselves with local talent- the talent which has in the past bemoaned lack of support from the public.
This gap has been the main cause of cries by local musicians who feel that Bulawayo fans shun them and maintain their loyalty to foreign artistes.
However, the glory of this programme which took the City of Kings by storm in the past few years is slowly fading away.
Last year, it suffered a major blow as it was held irregularly yet it traditionally used to be held every month.
For instance, after the March edition, the programme went on sabbatical and resumed in August.
It ceased again and resurfaced in the month of December.
Desire Moyo, the coordinator of the initiative said if the corporate world and other stakeholders fail to chip in this year, the programme will exist only in memory.
“2013 has been a tough year for Eziko Arts Laboratory as we faced a number of challenges, chief being financial constraints.
“Although we are now in a new year, the same challenge still stands as a hindrance to the future of the initiative. The laboratory still has no sustainable system in place, no equipment and source of funding despite the magnanimous work within the arts industry and grassroots communities in Bulawayo,” said Moyo.
He also revealed that if they get support from stakeholders, the program will extend to rural areas.
Online Reporter