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Minister Andrew Langa

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE arts and culture should not be regarded as secondary but as equally a major contributor to wealth and employment creation and eradication of poverty in Zimbabwe, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Officially opening a two day Arts and Culture Indaba at a Bulawayo hotel, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa, in a speech read on his behalf by the permanent secretary in the ministry Thokozile Chitepo, said his ministry was striving for the arts and culture sector to be recognised as serious contributors to the growth of the Zimbabwean economy. The Indaba is running under the theme, “Towards the Turnaround for a Professional Creative Sector”.

Langa said the only way for the arts and culture industry to be taken seriously was for it to be organised.

“Let’s remember that solutions to the challenges in the sector will only be worthwhile when we’re organised. The more focused we become the more visible we’ll become hence the more benefits we’ll receive. We’re channelling our efforts to ensure that the arts and culture are recognised as business entities that should be sustainable in arts promotion and development,” he said.

Langa said with the help of delegates and other captains of the arts and culture industry they wanted to professionalise the creative industry to build the sector.

“Once we professionalise our sector other key inputs such as funding, collaborations and partnerships will be enhanced by our conduct in the sector. Therefore, your input is the foundation to the success of our industry,” he said.

Turning to the Culture and Heritage Policy, Langa said it was long overdue and would be ready by year end. He urged those in the arts and culture sector to contribute more to the document.

“I admit the policy has taken long to be finalised. However, this is partly as a result of the fact that as a new Ministry we’d to first of all clarify mandates in addition to developing a structure as well as getting the staff. It’s not been easy.

“However, I’d like to assure you that finally we’re hoping to get Cabinet approval for the draft that we’re finalising before year end. I sincerely thank the industry for your patience and support during this very difficult formative period,” Langa said.

The Indaba which ends today was attended by the principal director of culture in the ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture Reverend Paul Damasane, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Elvas Mari, his deputy Nicholas Moyo, dub poet Albert Nyathi, Raisedon Baya, Pathisa Nyathi and Prince Zwide Kalanga among others.