Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma in Harare
THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has revealed that it is in the process of developing an Arts Bill and requests one percent in the National Budget yearly.
This was said by the Clerk of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Mr Benson Gwandingwa during his presentation at a dinner meeting held at a local hotel in Harare on Wednesday.
The meeting organised by Chenhaka Trust under the CfCA – Connect for Culture Africa, was attended by the portfolio committee members led by acting chairperson Hon Joseph Tshuma and Hon Lungile Ncube, Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Acting Chief Director, Dr. Biggie Samwanda, members of Zimbabwe Theatre Association, Zimbabwe Sculptors Association and Zimbabwe Fashion Association.
In his presentation on a topic titled “How Parly Forces Change”, Mr Gwandingwa said there are working flat out to improve the Creative Cultural Industries (CCI’s).
“As a portfolio committee there are a number of changes that we are enforcing and chief among them is coming up with an Arts Bill. This will help improve the livelihoods of players in the CCI’s.
“We also want to propose that the National Budget each year reserves a one percent component which will be guaranteed money for projects,” said Mr Gwandingwa.
He said if the one percent proposal sails through, the sector will receive close to US$4 000 000 each year.
“If we win, that means we are likely to receive a projected minimum of US$3 800 000 each year. We will also work on more UNESCO partnerships, trainings and equipment,” said Mr Gwandingwa.
Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Acting Chief Director, Dr. Biggie Samwanda said such engagements are critical in developing the sector.
“There is need for more of these engagements throughout the country and throughout all the sectors within the Ministry as we are able to collect data and it can be used to better inform our stakeholders on what needs to be done,” he said.
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