Harare — THE Culture Fund of Zimbabwe, which received about US$1 million from the Swedish International Development Agency, was launched last week in Harare.

The seed money is meant to help in the development of the culture and arts industry in Zimbabwe.

Officially launching the fund, Dr Hope Sadza called for more funding towards the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust.

"Many stakeholders, who wish to contribute to the growth of the culture sector in Zimbabwe are invited to create a new era where the provision of finance and technical support to cultural practitioners, institutions and activities leads them to create sustainable wealth.

"Government, business community, international friends to Zimbabwe and all arts practitioners have a key role to play as has been done elsewhere. The culture industries of countries like India and America contribute vast amounts to their national economies," she said.

She hailed the creation of the independent balanced board of technocrats and management team that would benefit the culture sector.

Chairman of the board of trustees, Luxon Zembe, applauded the co-operation between the trust and its strategic partners.

"Government departments like the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture among others have agreed that we can work with their network and structures of cultural officers countrywide, in order to reach potential beneficiaries resident in the various districts of our country," he said.

The Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Sten Rylander, reiterated his country's support for the development of the arts, as shown by the US$1 million support for the culture fund.

"Through Sida, we have a long-term commitment to the sector's growth," Ambassador Rylander said.

He said he hoped that other organisations would support the initiative.

Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Aeneas Chigwedere took time and awarded two charitable organisation -- Dandoni Kids Club of Chipinge, a traditional dance group made of orphans and Nompilo Nkomo, a disabled Bulawayo painter who uses her legs for her craft.

Dandoni Kids Club received $60 million while Nkomo got $40 million as part of the trust's social responsibility.

Although the fund was launched last week, it was registered in January 2006 with a board being constituted in June of the same year.

Farai Mpfunya was appointed executive director in January this year.