ANNUAL CULTURAL INDABA ON THE CARDS

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) will hold a National Arts and Culture Indaba on 30-31 0ctober 2013 at Stephen Margolis Resort. In it’s third year running the Indaba is a National Arts & Culture Strategy Dialogue held annually to discuss, deliberate and recommend specific courses of action in the cultural sector. It is a platform for stakeholders in the arts and culture sector to meet and dialogue on issues affecting the development and future of the sector, as well as taking stock of sector achievements.

Running under the theme "Turning Around the Arts and Culture for Sustainable Socio- Economic Empowerment" the Indaba will be attended by artists, administrators, policy makers and other players in the arts and culture sector. Some of the objectives being to create a platform/forum for Dialoguing, networking, Learning and contributing to consolidated growth of the culture sector in Zimbabwe as well as strengthening sector collaboration and participation in national processes in a coordinated manner. Moreover, to create a platform for the culture sector to input into national frameworks on Constitutional reform process, Culture policy, national strategies on culture and policies and issues affecting the Arts and Culture sector.

Presentations are expected from (Dr E Mberi and Albert Nyathi) on the topic – “The Arts and Culture Sector in Zimbabwe- Shifting perspectives for suitable livelihoods.”  The Indaba will also deal with " Exploring opportunities in the arts for strategic partnerships- partnering for a win-win situation".

Far Right, Albert Nyathi will be presenting at this year's Indaba: PHOTO BY BATSIRAI E CHIGAMA

The 2013 Indaba will especially be significant as the sector is celebrating the creation by His Excellency President Robert Mugabe, a Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture that we are confident is going to change the face and future of the sector. In addition, this year’s Indaba will be an occasion to celebrate this landmark development and craft strategies of how the sector could ensure the mission and vision of the new Ministry is realized.

This year National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is partnering with Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust who has been supporting the last three Indaba events. NACZ expect that these deliberations will lay the foundation for future advancement of the arts industry.

 

Stephen Chifunyise, addresses delegates at the 2012 indaba. Seated L to R are: Nicholas Moyo, Deputy Director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Ghonche Materego, Executive Secretary of the National Arts Council of Tanzania and Farai Mpfunya, Director of the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust. 

Last year’s Indaba was held in Masvingo at Flamboyant Hotel with guest speaker  Ghonche Materego, Executive Secretary of Basata - National Arts Council of Tanzania sharing the Tanzanian experience with the delegates in attendance.  Key to last year’s presentations was the presentation by Stephen Chifunyise who presented on the funding of the arts in Zimbabwe.  Issues were raised and with no doubt will continue to arise and one hopes that there is a follow up and resolution in these dialogues.

 

 By Batsirai E Chigama