Published by the government of Zimbabwe
8 September 2008
Harare — Zimbabwe arts industry is capable of raking in foreign currency and shape the image of the country, a Jenaguru Arts Centre official has said. Director of the centre, Clive Malunga said the Government should use the arts as an important tool in promoting tourism as well as generating foreign currency.
"We take arts for granted and yet the arts have potential to rake in the much needed foreign currency.
"The market is there and the talent is abundant in Zimbabwe.
"Several local groups have performed at some of the world's biggest festivals as part of cultural tourism and what is needed now is support from the Government to ensure the industry grows," Malunga said.
He said the Government should also consider setting up a fully-fledged ministry of arts and culture only as a way of empowering artists and culture practitioners.
"The Government should look at the arts and culture industry with a view to empowering the artists. In this regard, the Government should look at the possibility of establishing a ministry of arts and culture without the inclusion of other sectors like sport and education," Malunga said.
This, he said, would ensure that arts and culture were taken seriously as one of the foreign currency earners for the country.
"We have seen in other countries in the Southern region that they have these ministries for example in South Africa and Mozambique," he said.
He said the Government had already shown its commitment towards the arts and culture industry by the exemption of duty on all imported musical instruments.
"The move to remove duty on imported music instruments was a welcome development and now it is time to move forward with the empowerment.
"It is our hope that the establishment of a ministry to focus on arts and culture would further give an impetus towards the improvement and welfare of artists," Malunga said.
Jenaguru has completed a state-of-the-art-recording studio and now intends to build more arts centres in Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo among others.
In addition, it also recorded and produced the late Sekuru Gora and through the support of Dr Pwiti of the University of Zimbabwe managed to lobby for honorary degrees for Thomas Mapfumo and Ambuya Stella Rambisai Chiweshe.
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