By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TellZim NewsTellZim NewsTellZim News
  • Local
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Mapombi Adonha
  • Find it in Masvingo
Search
More News
  • Local
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Mapombi Adonha
  • Find it in Masvingo
© Copyright 2024 TellZim. All rights reserved
Reading: Government isolating us – Manicaland artists
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
TellZim NewsTellZim News
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Elections & Governance
  • Service Delivery & Accountability
  • Women & Youth Empowerment
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • Elections & Governance
  • Service Delivery & Accountability
  • Women & Youth Empowerment
  • More
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Change & Environment
Follow US
© 2024 TellZim News. All Rights Reserved.
TellZim News > Blog > Service Delivery & Accountability > Government isolating us – Manicaland artists
Service Delivery & Accountability

Government isolating us – Manicaland artists

TellZim News
Last updated: July 5, 2023 4:04 pm
TellZim News
Share
5 Min Read
Artists follow proceedings
SHARE

Branton Matondo

Manicaland arts sector has lamented on impending isolation by government, a plight made worse by centralization of programmes in Harare and Bulawayo.
This came at a recently held artist’s status meeting held at Chancellor Primary School in Mutare graced by member associations from Nyanga, Mutare and various parts of Manicaland.
Seasoned artist and administrator Kiven Simomondo said decisions and activities to do with the arts sector are always made in Harare and Bulawayo, a disheartening feat that has led to other provinces feeling left out.
“The recognition of artists should benefit everyone, not only those in Harare and Bulawayo. We want equal opportunities because we all operate in the same country.” said Simomondo
He said government is failing to appreciate art’s welfare as competition rewards always come late and in most cases end up depleted by the ever rising inflation.
“Last year we went to Herbert Chitepo festival on the 18th of December. The parent Ministry, Ministry of Sport, arts and recreation was hosting the event. We were confident that payment was going to be given on the day of or maybe 3 days later but after winning the competition we had to wait for 6 months for payment of US$1,500. The money appeared last week in my account with December last year’s bankrate which was at RTGS$500 for US$1”,” said Simomondo
Adding to his grievances Simomondo said the ministry is abusing artists who invest and survive on arts.
Seasoned music artist Tendai Chari said the Ministry and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) were sleeping on duty as there is no vibrant response to cases and grievances.
“It’s difficult for me to report issues of nonpayment by promoters to NACZ which is under the Ministry but it’s even more difficult when the Ministry which we are supposed to be reporting to is doing the same. I played at one of the biggest hotels in Zimbabwe and l went for a year without payment and I had nowhere to report because if you go and report you will be tossed from office to office.”
On the issue of centralization of programmes in Harare Chari said dissemination of information was the main challenge and the relationship between artists and NACZ was poor.
“There is a problem of poor communication, I was in for the longest time, you miss programmes and you only know of them when they are already past, the information does not get to the right people at the right time. The NACZ is there to oversee and promote the practice of arts in Zimbabwe. It’s like a parent to us as artists but the relationship between us and NACZ is not solid, there is a gap and it makes it difficult for the parent to know what is really going on.”
The meeting which was graced by members of NACZ board was a call out for artists to air out issues affecting their line of work.
Responding to issues raised by artist, NACZ Legal and Compliance Officer Alex Majachani said there were areas that needed attention to solve the challenges
“From the responses we got today it appears that there are two areas that need attention. The first one is the issue of contracts, maybe artists don’t appreciate what is needed to come up with contracts. The second one is the running of arts businesses because there are a lot of legalities that have to be done. Even if we are crafting our laws we have to take that into consideration.”
He said such status meetings were a deliberate effort by NACZ for the new board to meet and engage artists and understand what they are doing and where they are going.
“On our part, this is a deliberate arrangement because we are saying as a new body which is coming on board we have to meet the artist’s to understand the challenges they are facing. This will help in service delivery. As you are aware the role of NACZ in relation with NACZ Act is to foster and promote arts development. You cannot develop when you don’t know the problem.”

You Might Also Like

Outcry as teacher collects pupils saliva during lesson

Public Service Ministry holds retreat to boost mental health, gender awareness

Teachers abandon classrooms, join night illegal mining in Fusira

Bernadette Chipembere Tamba elected first female ZSDA Chairperson

Zimbabwe’s growing public debt threatens Vision 2030

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article MARCFT, RCU donates wheelchair to disabled 17 year old boy
Next Article Silobela cattle farmer loses 3 beasts to deboning thieves
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

Zanu PF member faces US$150K lawsuit over Sikhala book launch chaos
Elections & Governance July 19, 2025
Who is Bernadette Chipembere Tamba?
Women & Youth Empowerment July 15, 2025
Mwenezi teacher arrested for sexually assaulting 3 learners
Court July 15, 2025
Street kid turns conman, convicted for theft, fraud
Court News July 14, 2025
TellZim NewsTellZim News
Follow US
© 2024 TellZim News. All Rights Reserved.
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?