‘Let us preserve African heritage’

Arts Correspondent
Calls were made to preserve our cultural heritage and identity by various key players in the African arts and heritage sector at the just-ended International Conference on African Culture held at the National gallery of Zimbabwe.

The three-day conference was running under the theme “Mapping the Future” and it attracted 60 gurus in the cultural and contemporary arts sector across Africa.

Pascall Taruvinga who is an experienced heritage expert regionally and internationally said there is need to build strong heritage industries that can also benefit communities.

“We must come up with systems and products that are designed with full adaptive capabilities, efficient and effective governance system. “Communities should be able to benefit through various income generating projects,” he said.

It emerged from the conference that preservation of African culture and heritage was under the spotlight and numerous solutions were given to develop the continent.

Gemma Rodrigues who was recently appointed curator of African arts at the UCLA Fowler Museum highlighted that there was need to digitalise artistic and cultural heritage and take a post colonial approach for the industry to develop.

Renowned arts and culture consultant, Stephen Chifunyise noted that new approaches were needed in the formulation of National Cultural Policies in Africa. Current policies do not address key things in the sector and governments should be involved in the implementations of the policies.

In an interview, NGZ executive director Doreen Sibanda said they were happy that the event was success. “I am elated that the event was a success and there was overwhelming turnout throughout the conference.

“It was s a game changing platform and we are hoping that it will become a regular event. We hope that ministry of education will partner with us in the future as schools are now taking heritage as a subject,” she said.

The inaugural Congress of African Culture took place at the National Gallery in 1962 and this year it came at a time when the gallery is celebrating their 60th anniversary.