“We cannot eat prestige”: ZimRights under fire over “insulting” sculptor competition prizes

ZIMBABWE Human Rights Association (ZimRights), a grassroots movement of ordinary people for human rights has come under fire from vocal 2D animator, Kadelwa Ndlovu after they made an open call to all sculptors, ZimRights members and the public looking for participants for their, “National Peace Sculptor Competition.”

The controversy ignited following an open call posted by the association on Facebook this Tuesday. The organisation invited talented sculptors to create works expressing peace, unity, and harmony, with the goal of “shaping a more peaceful world through sculpture.”

However, it is the financial reward for this, “powerful artistic expression” that has sparked a heated debate within the creative sector.

According to the official call, the competition – which set a submission deadline of August 20, 2026, ahead of a grand launch in Bulawayo on September 21 – offers a prize structure featuring USD $250 for first place, USD $150 for second place, and USD $100 for third place.

Plumtree-based animator Kadelwa Ndlovu took to social media to voice his frustrations, arguing that these amounts fail to recognise the economic reality of the medium.

“While the goal of promoting harmony and unity is beautiful, the reality for the artists invited to participate is anything but peaceful. The prizes being offered are simply not fair. To a sculptor, they don’t even cover the basic costs of bringing a vision to life,” Ndlovu wrote in an open letter.

Ndlovu broke down the gruelling nature of the trade, noting that high-quality stone, wood, or metal must often be purchased upfront. He further highlighted the rapid wear and tear on expensive tools like chisels and grinders, the physical toll of weeks of manual labour, and the logistical nightmare of delivering heavy, fragile works to major centres like Harare or Masvingo.

“How can we inspire a nation when we are struggling to survive the very process of creating that inspiration? Our art is the soul of Zimbabwe, but we cannot eat ‘prestige.’ We deserve to be paid fairly for the mastery we bring to this country,” Ndlovu queried.

In an exclusive interview, Ndlovu suggested that for a national competition, the top prize should start at USD $800.

“Imagine doing a sculpture as significant as the Joshua Nkomo one, only to be offered $150 for second place. It doesn’t match the value we bring to our culture,” he added.

In response to the growing criticism, a representative from ZimRights defended the initiative, citing budget constraints and emphasising the intangible benefits of the event. The organization maintained that they are working within “available resources” and expressed hope that the competition would serve as a stepping stone for future growth and partnerships within the creative sector.

“We appreciate the feedback and understand that artists invest significant time, skill and resources into their work. While the prize money may appear modest, this initiative is primarily aimed at creating a platform for sculptors to showcase their talent, spark conversations around peace and gain wider recognition for their work. As organisers, we are working within available resources, but we remain committed to supporting and celebrating local artists. We hope this competition will open doors for greater opportunities, partnerships and future growth within the creative sector,” the representative stated.

The big question is: can art truly foster “peace” if the artist is left in financial distress? – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu