Harare — Zimbabwean arts and media consultant Martin Chemhere has created potential links with two South African organisations that may see some local designers benefit from cultural exchanges in fashion design and technical skills training for the entertainment industry.

"This is an opportunity availed to us Zimbabweans to revive the two industries.

"The fashion industry is much quieter these days while the entertainment industry which forms part of the live events and presentation sector needs people with the right technical skills to handle their jobs professionally and also to keep abreast of new technology," said Chemhere.

The linkages have been created between the South African Fashion Designers Agency/Vukani Fashions and the South African Roadies Association. "Roadies" comes from industry jargon that denotes the technicians' who co-ordinate live event schedules and are usually on showcase road-tours. Sometime in June Chemhere successfully managed to meet and discuss with Sonwabile Ndamase, the President and Founder of the South African Fashion Designers Agency (SAFDA) and Vukani Fashion Awards on the possible synergy.

"I have always found it worthwhile to seek ways of reviving the Zimbabwean arts and entertainment industries over the years.

" The desire has now spurred me to create links with leading creative arts and live events organisations in the region that are very much keen to assist with their expertise on Zimbabwean initiatives," he said.

Once everything has been put in place Chemhere would soon look for partners in Zimbabwe to form a fashion designers network and also oversee selection of fashion designers to be part of the bigger picture of the South African fashion shows and exhibitions.

He is also expected to mobilise and market for successful hosting of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week and the Zimbabwe Fashion Awards.

Ndamase said the Zimbabwean fashion sector was a bird's eye view of Africa's fashion industry, which boasts of important historical contexts that were vital in the industry.

"My aim is to sketch out the links between various areas and nodes along the fashion value chain, and survey the status of these "seams": some requiring strengthening, some needing realignment, and others holding together well enough to allow for free movement and growth," he said.

"My proposal is designed to provide evidence-based viewpoints that can inform policy development for the larger clothing and textile industry sector especially for Zimbabwe."