Harare — AS much as the stone sculpture is praised as an aspect of rural development and social transformation in Zimbabwe it should equally be so as an aspect of urban development.

It safeguards against unemployment, crime, the plights of widowhood and single parenthood and other afflictions of urban life in high-density towns in Harare.

Chitungwiza, a prime example of high density urban sprawl, a town seemingly under-capitalised in terms of skills training, capacity building and employment has its own of artists, musicians and sculptors working in stone who come from the back streets to the front line, from socially acknowledged failure to success.

Chitungwiza's "locals" include the old guard of the sculptors Fanizani Akuda whose smiling stones spill onto the road, Edward Chiwewete the sculptor of "wandering eyes" Gallerists find their way to houses without numbers, making a killing on the spot.

The Chitungwiza Arts Centre is a recognised fold for sculptors finding backyards filled with rubbish and empty beer cans as not the best of workplaces.

The Centre comprises over 200 sculptors, who although not resident are a true community concerned with each other's welfare.

The Centre takes on widows and unemployed youth that see carving stone as restoring their dignity and recognised place in society.

The Centre offers space, often well tended and planted by garden minded sculptors, a visionary yet feet on the ground leadership, a Committee chaired by Artwell Chipiri with Winston Nyekete as Vice Chairman.

The workday for a sculptor is from 9am until drop, with no overtime considerations. Much of the work is abstract as strong on form as content.

On September 22, the Centre became a "celebration centre" to acknowledge its l0th birthday with a competition, an exhibition. The event was conceptualised by the Committee of the Centre and former Committee Member and advisor Tago Tazvitya.

"Modern abstract works" held the fort, semi reclining abstract forms with a hint of Henry Moore, and a SeaShell inviting one to whistle down it and hear the sound of the sea. There was also "Fine Art" heads with broad noses and braided hair and a white cat by Nyekete, the ghost of all cats much loved, no longer with us.

The highlight of the ceremony was an impassioned speech in Shona by Executive Director Farai Mpfunya of the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust who said:

"I sense in your kind of leadership your efforts to prevent the death of culture and indeed prosper from it.

"When a group of people set up an Arts Centre they are building a Community with shared values and aspirations. Timothy Salimo of the CBZ Bank commended the Centre for its economic accountability and "fair financial mindedness."

I spoke about the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe's enlightened guardianship of the Centre.

The sponsors of the exhibition and other Centre activities Tim and Emma, a young English couple were metaphorically lifted on the shoulders of the sculptors.

Social responsibility is a major concern at the Centre.

"We can support ourselves so why should we not support others?" said one sculptor.

The Centre today is not only an example of how to live by sculpture but how to live life putting others before oneself and looking to the good of all.