ARTISTS have demanded representation in the constitutional reform process saying they have been left out in consultative thematic committees. Musicians, sculptors, actors, filmmakers and other artists that converged at a two-day Constitutional Reform and National Healing seminar at a hotel in Harare said they would only be satisfied with a constitution that addressed their issues.

Speaking at the seminar, artist and human rights activist Okay Machisa said it was unfortunate that the Parliamentary Select Committee had not included artists on the list of 17 thematic areas that would guide the making of a "people-driven" constitution.

He said artists had apparently been bundled under the media sector when they formed a large cultural community that should be treated independently.

"It is unfortunate that artists have been pushed to the periphery of the constitution-making process when they are an integral part of the country's cultural activities," said Machisa.

"Culture is one important aspect of any society and it is erroneous to leave out people that lead in culture marketing and preservation in important issues like the making of a constitution."

Machisa said it had become the norm that artists are only valued at an entertainment level because their issues were not taken seriously. "Artists can present people's views in their various art works. They mirror society through their songs, paintings, films, sculptures, plays and dances among other art products," he said.

"But it is disheartening that they are called to important national events just as entertainers and hardly contributors to pertinent debates and discussions.

"After serious issues have been discussed in doors or at higher levels, artists are called in to bring refresher entertainment through performances. That is tantamount to abuse and that mentality should end."

Machisa, who is also director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (Zimrights), said artists would ensure that they push for representation and threatened a "No" vote to a constitution that did not address artist issues.

Artists at the seminar concurred saying issues like piracy and freedom to express themselves through their various products were the major aspects that should be given attention.

They cited songs, plays and films that were banned on political grounds as some of the examples of abuse of their rights that the new constitution should specifically deal with.

However, in response Parliamentary Select Committee co-chairperson Paul Mangwana (Zanu PF) blasted the artists accusing them of failing to push for representation in the thematic committees.

He said the committee had consulted social, economic and political sectors prior to the lining out of the thematic areas but artists had not used that opportunity to ensure that they were represented.

"We called upon people from various sectors to come up with their proposals and contribute to the listing of thematic areas," Mangwana said.

"As a committee, we had identified 12 areas but representatives of other sectors made suggestions and you did not make any contribution. You chose to be left out."

But the artists insisted that it was not too late to get involved and Mangwana bowed to pressure and asked them to choose two people to represent them in the process.

The two will be absorbed into consultative committees that would be chosen to work under the various thematic areas.