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Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

A LANDMARK move for the arts sectors of Southern Africa has materialised, seeing the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the National Arts Council of South Africa (NACSA) formalising their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday.

This significant collaboration is set to enhance the cultural landscape of both nations while fostering regional integration through the arts.

The signing ceremony took place at the NACSA head office in Newtown, Johannesburg, where NACZ executive director Napoleon Nyanhi was welcomed by NACSA’s interim chief executive officer, Ms Julie Diphofa.

The MoU symbolises a shared commitment to promoting growth, sustainability, and innovation within the arts and culture sectors of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In a press statement, the NACZ outlined what the MoU will entail.

“As an agency under the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, NACZ remains committed to being an accessible and responsive organisation, driving public value by leveraging strategic partnerships. This MoU marks a pivotal step in fostering collaboration on projects of shared interest, ensuring expanded opportunities for artists across both countries,” read part of the statement.

He emphasised the MoU’s potential to create reciprocal benefits for artistes in both countries, enhancing opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration.

The partnership aligns with NACZ’s vision to create a vibrant, professional, and sustainable cultural and creative industry by 2030, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1.

The NACZ, established in 1985, operates under the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and is committed to promoting artistic endeavours and regulating the arts sector.

The MoU outlines several key areas of focus, including Cultural and Creative Exchange Programmes, Heritage Preservation Initiatives, Arts Education Initiatives, including Residencies and Partnerships, Institutional exchanges, internships, and training, Research and Development in the Arts Sector.

In her remarks, Ms. Diphofa highlighted the importance of knowledge exchange and mutual learning, particularly in strengthening NACSA’s policy framework and supporting NACZ in enhancing its funding model.

The NACZ was established in 1985 as a government agency meant to foster the understanding and practice of arts as well as the exhibition of such activities.

It is also a cultural institution, a mainstay of arts development and it works under the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

NACZ’s mandate has been to promote and add value to the artistic endeavours within the country.

The NACSA is an Agency of the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. It was established in April 1997 through an act of Parliament (Act No. 56 of 1997).

It is the largest Arts & Culture funding agency in South Africa, responsible for serving most of the arts disciplines namely, dance, music, theatre, craft, literature, visual arts and multi-discipline.

Both councils aim to ensure that art practitioners across Southern Africa benefit from this collaborative approach. The partnership marks a pivotal step in enhancing cultural ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa, promising a transformative impact on the arts community. As both nations navigate the evolving landscape of the arts, this collaboration signals a united front in promoting and preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Through this MoU, NACZ and NACSA reaffirm their commitment to the arts, setting the stage for a future where creativity and cultural expression thrive across borders. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu