HILLZY PRESENTS AFRIMA TROPHY TO MINISTER
GOVERNMENT DONATES GROCERIES TO ACTOR LAZARUS BOORA
NYAZURA-The Government and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) this week presented groceries and an assortment of home consumables valued at $7000 to actor/comedian, Lazarus Boora, popularly known as “ Gringo” who is currently convalescing at his rural homestead in Rukweza after undergoing surgery in October last year.
Presenting the groceries NACZ Deputy Director Mr Josia Kusena said the government and the council had seen it fit to provide the token assistance to the veteran actor to ease the burden of taking care of his family during the time he was tending to his health.
“This token is coming from the government of Zimbabwe through the Minister of Youth Sports, Arts and Recreation Dr Kirsty Coventry, The Deputy Minister Cde Tino Machakaire, the Permanent Secretary Dr Thokozile Chitepo, the Director National Arts Council Mr Nicholas Moyo and the Zimbabwean people at large, to say to you we love you, we are with you during this time and we wish you a speedy recovery and return to full health,” he said.
In response, the popular Boora said it was heart-warming for the government to even think of him at this time when there were so many issues that could have been given priority.
‘To me, this is more than just assistance, it is a recognition of my talent by the people of Zimbabwe. Many artists are acknowledged when they die, but for me its an honour to be recognized when I am still alive, through this present,” he said.
The jovial Boora said he was recuperating quite well and he had resumed light acting duties for social Media “Skits” on his way to full recovery.
“In December I had time to do a few episodes for some social media shows and I hope to be back soon to conclude some projects that I was working on,” he said.
A father of 7, Boora is employed full time by an Agro-processing and Distribution firm in Harare and drives to Rukwezva his Village homested regulary. His homested features a modern four roomed house complete with an orchard of indigenous and exotic trees that he enjoys tending too.
Boora was propelled to fame by the 1997 ZBCTV hit drama Series “Gringo” and he subsequently featured in other spin-offs of the show like “Gringo Ndiani” and “Gringo Mari Iripi”. He recently starred as Gibbo in the new ZTV series “Village Secrets”.
ARTISTS BENEFIT FROM SINO-ZIM CULTURAL COOPERATION
HARARE- Scores of Zimbabwean artists have directly benefitted from the country’s cultural, political and economic ties with China.
The Director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Mr Nicholas Moyo, says the increased cooperation between China and Zimbabwe has created tangible opportunities for Zimbabwean Artists to showcase their work.
“The cordial cultural ties with China have benefitted scores of local artists who have had an opportunity to participate at prestigious events hosted in China. Such events put artists at the forefront of enhanced cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
Mr Moyo said this while addressing local and Chinese residents at 7Arts Theatre in Avondale at festivities celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar year last week.
He said the Chinese New Year celebrations, were of important significance as they coincided with the 40th anniversary of relations between Zimbabwe and China.
Assistance to the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe by China is guided by the Executive Programme for the years 2020 to 2023 which aims to keep direct connections between Zimbabwean and Chinese Cultural Institutions.
Mr Moyo said China and Zimbabwe were all-weather friends whose cooperation spanned across economic, trade, political and cultural ties.
“China has provided Zimbabwe with practical cooperation involving Megaprojects like the New Parliament building Project which are a vivid reflection of the Chinese government’s commitment to Zimbabwe,” he said.
The ambassador of China to Zimbabwe, Mr Guo Shaochün, said the New year celebrations were particularly important for Zimbabwe as they came soon after the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Wang Yi concluded his visit to Africa with a tour of Zimbabwe.
“The visit is itself important as it shows that China prioritises its relationship with Zimbabwe and is a serious partner for the development of Africa,” said Mr Guo.
The event which ushered in the Chinese Spring festival was graced by the Minister of Information Media and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa and comprised a two-hour performance of music, traditional Chinese dances and instrumental performances by the world-renowned Chinese National Opera dance and Drama theatre from Beijing.
Local and Chinese artists under the banner of the Jacaranda Media and Culture Corporation (JCMC) also performed at the event which was supported by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The China Zimbabwe Business Association and various corporates.
2003 CHIBUKU ROAD TO FAME WINNER DIES
Masvingo-Bosco Yeppe (45) leader of Tchuka Trinity Crew the Chibuku Road to Fame 2003 National Winner has died. He died yesterday after a short illness at Chibi hospital.
Yeppe rose to national prominence when he participated at the Chibuku Road to Fame competition and scooped the national and Masvingo Provincial titles in the same year.
Chibuku Road to Fame is a music talent search show organised since 2001 by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in partnership with Delta Beverages.
The group then recorded its first album called “Uchandifunga” which carried the popular song “uchandifunga” in 2005 with RTP studios. Yeppe followed this release with two more albums “Rise and Shine” and “Scofa”.
The late Yeppe was born in Malawi in 1974 and he grew up in Mashava, Gaths Mine after his parents moved to Zimbabwe. He started music at a tender age with the inspiration he got from listening to local groups Devera Ngwena and the Zhimozhi Jazz Band.
After his Road to Fame Succes, Yeppe worked with other groups in Masvingo namely Orchestra Mafara Chete and Identity Band who all went on to reach the finals of the competition.
He is survived by wife Agnes Jaya two sons Tamantani and Tamani. Mourners are gathered at village 3, Temeraire in Mashava. He will be buried at his homestead on Wednesday 22 January 2020.
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE ANNOUNCES MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENTS
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE ANNOUNCES MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENTS
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has announced the appointment of Mrs Barbara Gotore as the Assistant Director Arts Promotions and Development as well as Mr Rodney Ruwende as the Communication and Marketing Manager with effect from 01 January 2020.
In a statement to stakeholders, players in the Arts business, investors, practitioners and friends of the NACZ, Director Mr Nicholas Moyo, said the appointments marked the conclusion of the NACZ management recruitment exercise which began in 2018 with the appointments of the Director and the Deputy Director in 2019.
“The conclusion of this exercise means the Council can now actively pursue its Strategic Plan for 2020-2023, whose main thrust is to transform the Arts Council into a net revenue generator and financial contributor, not only to the development of the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe but also to employment generation and gross domestic product” he said.
Mrs Gotore joins the NACZ from the Public Service Commission (PSC) where she was a government consultant in public sector reforms working with both state and private entities. She is an expert in developing strategic plans, Human resources and Customer service. A certified Results-Based Management (RBM) Trainer Mrs Gotore has over 13 years of High School teaching experience in the creative arts. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Sector Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Education degree.
“As Assistant Director Programming Mrs Gotore is tasked with initiating programmes for the development and promotion of the arts sector” the Director added.
Mr Ruwende joins the council from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) where he was a Presenter and Senior Executive Producer for Classic 263 Radio. He holds a Masters degree in Public Policy and Development Management, a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Political Science and a National Diploma in Mass Communication.
Mr Moyo said the new Communication and Marketing Manager is tasked with developing a robust stakeholder and media engagement strategy to raise the visibility of the council, its programmes and the sector at large.
“He will also lead the public relations and marketing fronts of the Council,” he said.
The Director also advised that to deliver in its mandate, the following appointments were also made in the Provinces for positions of substantive Provincial Arts Managers;
Ms. Caroline Makoni – Manicaland
Ms. Erengwi Chido – Mashonaland East
Ms. Sindisiwe Eunice Ndlovu – Matabeleland North
Ms. Kumbirai Farai Kupfavira – Midlands
Mr Moyo said the Council is working on appropriate recruitments that will allow delivery of services as mandated by the shareholder government and as expected by its clients.
ENDS
PRESS RELEASE ATTACK ON MUSICIAN
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) would like to condemn the detention of musician “Shinsoman” by armed men in Chegutu who are alleged to have forced him to sing one song for many hours for their enjoyment.
The council would like to encourage enforcement agents in the country to increase their presence in public gatherings to avert such cases of abuse.
British Council FestivalConnect For Young Artists 2020 Call for Proposals
Eligible Countries for the festival are East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda Southern Africa: Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe West Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leonne, Senegal UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales.
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL IN BID TO COLLECT DATA ON ARTS ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTRY
Harare-The National Arts Council will this year embark on a robust information gathering exercise aimed at detailing the activities of the sector and their contribution to the economy.
Addressing staff during an induction workshop for new personnel held at Head office recently Mr Nicholas Moyo, the Director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) said the council aimed to become the most reliable source of information about the Arts sector in Zimbabwe.
“I would like to urge you to go back to your work stations and gather as much information as possible on arts activities in those areas. Document all the music shows, exhibitions, festivals and other activities so that we can quantify the contribution of the sector to the country’s economy”. he said.
Mr Moyo said the information gathering would include enumerating the number of shows held in each province per given period, the number of people in attendance and the admission fees charged for the concerts, exhibitions, plays or festivals.
The exercise is in line with the vision of the council which is to create a vibrant, professional and sustainable cultural and creative industry by 2030. This dovetails with the vision set by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to turn Zimbabwe into an Upper-Middle-Class Economy by 2030.
“The creation of an upper-middle-class economy means we would not have cases of artists dying as paupers and we should thus be able to explain how much the sector is contributing to the economy and how much the artists are getting for their work. This all begins with the collection of the right information on the sector.” said Mr Moyo.
The two-day induction was attended by new staff members who joined the council at the beginning of the year and others who were promoted from within the ranks of the organization. The induction was meant to bring the new members up to speed with the mandate and operations of the Council.
The NACZ is a statutory body established by an Act of parliament in 1985. Its main function is to foster, develop and improve the knowledge understanding and practice of the arts and their presentation, performance, execution and exhibition to the public.
Former NACZ Board Member and Music teacher gets top British honour
Former National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Board Member and Music Teacher Mr Michael Bullivant has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Award for outstanding contribution to music education.
Amagugu becomes first recipient of arts fund
IN what Amagugu International Heritage Centre founding director Pathisa Nyathi has described as a giant leap for the arts, Government has established the Arts Development Fund, with the Matobo-based centre becoming the first recipient after it was given $25 000 to complete one of its buildings.
According to National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Nicholas Moyo, the fund will from next year be part of the country’s national budget.
Nyathi revealed that the amount was handed over to the centre on 26 November, following an earlier visit by Government officials. They were impressed by the centre’s self-sufficiency and decided to lend a helping hand.