National Handicraft Centre reopens

Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent

THE refurbished gallery of the National Handicraft Centre was commissioned yesterday, bringing hope to local craftspeople.

The commissioning also included the handover of a vehicle to boost its operations.

The centre was commissioned by Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa who described the occasion as a “significant milestone in the preservation and promotion of our country’s rich cultural heritage in our quest to showcase the best of Zimbabwean craftsmanship”.

She said the restoration of the National Handicraft Centre aligns with Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), both of which prioritise infrastructure modernisation and institutional strengthening.

“Located in the heart of Harare Metropolitan Province, our National Handicraft Centre has been a beacon for artisans and craft enthusiasts since its inception in 1989,” she said.

“It was born out of a deep commitment to support our craftsmen and women, promote their exceptional crafts and preserve our nation’s unique cultural identity.”

Sen Mutsvangwa said that the Government, through her ministry, provided a grant for the renovation of the centre’s main gallery, procurement of stock, and acquisition of a new vehicle to support operations.

These interventions follow the appointment of a seven-member board in September last year for revitalising the centre, with the approval of President Mnangagwa.

“As a state-owned enterprise, the centre has been dedicated to collecting and marketing Zimbabwean crafts locally, regionally and globally,” she said.

“It has empowered rural women, who produce 75 percent of our handicrafts. However, over the years, the centre ran into several challenges which affected its capacity to carry out its mandate effectively.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, the Government remains committed to ensuring inclusive development, in line with the “leaving no one and no place behind” mantra.

“To this end, the centre is expected to upscale its efforts in marketing craft products from areas such as Binga, Nkayi, Matopo, Chimanimani, Nemanwa and other parts of the country both locally and internationally,” she said.

She took time to highlight key exhibits at the gallery, which included the renowned Tonga baskets from Binga, unique stone sculptures, vibrant textiles featuring the national dress fabric, and intricate pottery.

“The new vehicle will significantly enhance our ability to transport craft products, support rural artisans and expand our market reach, especially to national expos like the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair,” she said.

National Handicraft Centre chairperson Ms Sandra Ndebele said the revival of the centre marked a significant milestone in the promotion of Zimbabwe’s handmade products, which reflect the nation’s cultural identity and craftsmanship.

“It has been a while since it stopped functioning, and since we installed the new board, this is what we’ve managed to do,” she said.

“We have brought all 10 provinces here in Harare so everyone who is listening can please come and see what we’ve done as the National Handcraft Centre.”

She said the centre was committed to supporting handmade products created by Zimbabweans from across the country, especially in rural and marginalised areas. “Our mandate is to promote all things that are handmade by Zimbabweans, be it from the villages or rural areas. You find everything here at the National Handcraft Centre,” she said.

Zimbabwean basketry was gaining traction on the international market, especially in China, where demand for such crafts is growing. Like you heard the Minister say, we were in China last week, and the Chinese are the biggest consumers of our basketry,” she said.

To safeguard the interests of local producers, particularly elderly women in rural areas, Ms Ndebele emphasised the need for formal agreements between countries.

“We need a memorandum of understanding so that our grannies in the villages are protected. And they can only be protected if there are laws put in place, and definitely those laws will be put in place by us at the National Handicraft Centre,” she said.