Nkosilathi Sibanda Urban Beats
THIS week’s idea was an impulsive inspiration. It came from Joshua Nyapimbi, director of Nhimbe Trust. His speech about the need for the showbiz industry to do away with ‘bootlicking’ donors at the Ibumba International Arts Festival was enough to leave as many sad faces around.

Probably, Nyapimbi’s advice was the best thing learned this year. There was excitement on hearing that Ibumba festival, running from 16 to 22 December, was back because it meant another week of festivity in Bulawayo. Soon after the regional youth games, came an arts fete. Next is Christmas. The homecoming of Oskido and the Kalawa Jazzmee crew will also invade the urban space. I’m sure by the time we reach 2015, there will be a loud sigh of relief. Phew! We enjoyed 2014 in style in the City of Kings.

Hearty thanks to Nyapimbi for the lecture on Tuesday. It was not for the benefit of Mambazo, Siyaya and the Friends of the festival, but all artistes.

The donor mentality has long settled in the mindset of local artistes to a point where some would never perform if there is no international sponsorship. Oh yeah we know of it! Some of the young, promising but arrogant performers have put a nail on their careers because of their liking for donor funded projects. Will we ever be independent to a point where every event is wholly funded by Zimbabweans?

With Ibumba, the biggest lesson learned was never to put money first. The other touching comment was on the Culture Fund. The moment Nyapimbi implored artistes not depend on such money, there were sad faces all around.

A comparison with Harare’s art landscape is a far cry from the scenes in Bulawayo. I know some may not agree with the contrast, but it is a fact that show organisers in the City of Kings lack the craft. There is a need to go to school and learn the basics of event management.

Nyapimbi of Nhimbe Trust was the star at this year’s Ibumba festival opening ceremony. The Big Josh did not mince his words when he advised Ibumba’s director, Mambazo Phiri, of the need to be independent.

Artistes have to get rid of the donor dependency syndrome. The message was aptly put well after Mambazo had cited financial problems bedevilling the festival. Unexpected, Nyapimbi had to use the platform as guest of honour to lecture artistes on some business concepts.

We are tired of guests of honour that only pamper event organisers, instead of telling them the truth. This is what the urban movement has always advocated for. Why would established artistes compete with the up-and-coming ones for donor funding? The situation breeds a space where those known and established get the buck while the youngsters wait till they are old to be funded.

Ibumba International Arts Festival as an arts fete is distinctive in the essence that it is held in Makokoba-elokitshini, Bulawayo’s cultural and artistic hub. At 16 years now, there is a bigger story to tell about the festival. From humble beginnings, the festival seems to have grown in leaps and bounds. Of the few years I have watched performances, I must say that Ibumba set the tone for other festivals.

It remains the oldest arts fiesta in Zimbabwe. Although having been running for all these years, some art lovers and seasoned festival goers had no kind words for the way the festival was organised. Time management was the curse of the festival’s opening ceremony. Both organisers and performers looked confused and unperturbed by the fact that they had invited people to their show.

Director Mambazo and his crew’s biggest blunder was to make guests wait. After nearly three hours of waiting, some guests could already sense danger. It is not all of us who are comfortable being in Makokoba in the late hours. The apology that came through was not convincing, save for Mambazo’s brilliant speech. Had the 2014 Ibumba festival launch been held in the normal evening times, the festival could have gone on well.

At first glance, I could be forgiven for noting that artistes are fond of partying. It’s their line of duty to be merry, it must be enjoyable to a performer! Of concern though is their lack of etiquette. In Africa we entertain guests before we amuse ourselves. Some artistes just have to revise their public manners rather than to shame a good idea that came with the festival.

We have heard of bakers who eat their cake, but it should not be the case with art. As the festival progressed in the week, the same scenario of arrogant artistes continued. There are those who were so big-headed to a point that they forgot who pays their bills.

It is amazing how we expect the audience to pay for performances, yet we treat them like trash. I’m particularly incensed by the way they made us wait. Staring at an empty stage was the order of the day.

Mambazo was an honest man surely. The revered art administrator revealed how broke Ibumba International Arts Festival was. From the look of things, he did not say a single lie. Maybe the reason for the delays and arrogance of the artistes was the issue of money. But is it money that makes the arts thrive? Money is just but a motivator. For projects to be a success, there requires talent, passion and vision.

While we look for funds, it is wise to be entrepreneurial at times. Use the donor money to grow, or else we shall write proposals forever.

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