Ministry to refocus NACZ activities

From Daisy Jeremani in Harare
THE Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa has said his ministry is taking a deliberate effort to refocus the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) so that it operates within the nation’s goals and aspirations. Speaking on Wednesday at a two-day National Arts indaba being held here, the minister said there had been lack of confidence among the public in NACZ for various reasons and the ministry would soon be implementing corrective measures.

He said: “We expect the focus of the council to go beyond a simple regulatory role to one where they are developmental – working directly with the artiste,” Langa said.

He said the Government was in the process of working on legislative interventions that would see boards under the ministry, NACZ included, being realigned to the current national thrust.

In that line, the ministry is also working on the implementation of a number of changes that would make NACZ respond to the nation and government’s priorities as pertains the sector, in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).

“Whilst one notes that the theme of this discursive forum is ‘Turning Around the Art and Culture for Sustainable Socio-Economic Empowerment’, the discussions are implored no to lose sight of the overarching priorities that Zim Asset prescribes,” he said.

The minister said people in the arts sector need to ensure that the arts and culture, as a critical segment in Zimbabwean society, takes centre stage in the national economic agenda.

“Let us utilise our diverse and unique cultures for economic development. Most countries are benefiting immeasurably from the arts and it is the arts that contribute to a reduction in unemployment,” he said.

He regretted the general exclusion of artistes based in rural areas from the NACZ agenda, saying the council was legally bound to reach out to all artistes in the country.

“The emphasis in the past has been on the artistes in the urban confines, which should end,” he said.
Langa added that Government had a responsibility to its people, hence the call for attention to be given to citizens with special needs, youths and women as well.

The minister called for cohesion, unity of purpose within the arts and culture sector saying lack of these was a cause for concern and needed to be addressed promptly.

“Government cannot speak to all and sundry. There should be some order and sector discipline for strategic implementation of the larger plan for the sector. The sector is greater and bigger than the associations or individuals . . .” he said.

Director of NACZ, Elvas Mari said artistes were privileged to meet at a time when the creative industry was celebrating the birth of a new ministry whose goals are, among others, to create employment and contribute to economic development through arts and culture.
“We must join hands in rebranding the arts and culture as a vehicle that will take us to our social and economic destination that will see the empowerment of individual artistes and organisations,” he said.

Mari urged artistes to work within the vision of their parent ministry so as to drive the sector forward in a sustainable manner.