adminArts Correspondent
Old mutual bank has vowed to remain committed in supporting the Harare International Festival of the Arts and other related events in its quest to assist in development of the general arts sector. Addressing a press conference yesterday, Old Mutual Zimbabwe, group chief executive Jonas Mushosho said they have been supporting HIFA for many years and they will continue supporting the initiative.
“The many years of Old Mutual’s investment in Hifa demonstrate our commitment to the development of the arts and culture industry in Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said the relationship between HIFA and Old Mutual dates back to 1999.
“Old Mutual’s relationship with Hifa started in 1999 and ran through to 2004. We then had a break and resumed our association with the festival in 2008 and thereafter from 2013 until now,” he said.
He added that Old mutual has provided financial education training to artists from Hifa.
“We aim to be the most supportive of the communities we serve and are aware of the diversity of the communities we reside in. “The arts and culture industry is no exception to our keen desire to continuously support the development of our communities,” he said.
Mushosho also applauded organisers of the festival for giving local artists a platform to showcase their talent and also mix and mingle with foreign artists.
“Hifa 2015 is an opportunity for artists, implementing partners and audiences to think creatively, to express ideas clearly and to communicate a powerful artistic vision,” he said.
Hifa spokesperson Tafadzwa Simba also thanked Old Mutual for the support and promised a powerful closing day of this year’s festival.
“We really appreciate the support we are getting each year from the Old Mutual and the closing day of this year’s festival which is the popular of the whole festival will be the Old Mutual day,” he said.
Hifa will be running from April 28 to May 3 under the theme “Articulate”.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter