Zim actors need training: Wharton

Tafadzwa Zimoyo recently in Masvingo
Zimbabwe is endowed with talented actors but they need proper training, a seasoned theatre director has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Youth Cultural Arts Festival workshop in Masvingo, Julie Wharton, who is wife to US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton, said she was overwhelmed by the talent displayed by youths.
“I am pleased by what I have seen here. Zimbabwe is full of energetic and talented actors. It is just that there should be proper training so that everyone won’t masquerade as an actor,” she said.

A theatre and dance graduate, Wharton said acting was about passion. “I think there should be a resource centre to help those who have a passion in acting. They lack resources and opportunities hence their career is jeopardised,” she said.
She said actors should exchange ideas as this will also grow the industry.

“The festival exposed the young talents in Masvingo. People should not wait for such festivals but should continue pursuing their chosen careers. Art itself can sustain livelihoods, if taken seriously,” said Wharton.

The three-day festival held at the Civic Centre and Charles Austin Hall ended on a high note with schools such as Mucheke High, Pamushana High, Thornhill High, Hippo Valley and Victoria High among others putting up exhilarating performance.
YOCAF artistic director Leeroy Gono said he was happy with the turnout.

“The festival is in its third year and it’s growing each year. I am happy with the overwhelming response from the public as we seek to promote the cultural heritage. I believe Rome was not built in a day, so each year we are learning new things,” he said.

The event, which was co-hosted by Dzimbahwe Festival, saw some of the top-notch musicians from Ma- svingo, poets and dancers participating.

“We started with the Dzimbabwe Festival because we wanted to cut costs. We had guest appearance by Judgement Yard sound who thrilled the youths. There was also Xplosion, Chenjerai Mazambani and Proto-Types among other groups that wowed the crowd,” said a spokesperson.