Category: General

ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS FOR NATIONAL GALLERY OF ZIMBABWE

The Minister of Youth, Sport Arts and Recreation, Hon Kirsty Coventry has appointed Six new members, to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) board in line with the Gallery of Zimbabwe Act of 1985 and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act of 2019.

The new board members who include Zimpapers chief executive officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke, Ms Chelsea Sian Evans, Mr Morris Mpala, Mr Bryn Taurai Mteki, Mr Nigel Phillip and Ms Joyce Chimanye will serve a five-year term

The appointment of the six complements the already serving board members who were appointed by President Mnangagwa in 2017. These are Dr Solomon Guramatunhu, Mr Busani Bafana, Mr Job Ronald Torindoh, Mrs Patricia Broderick and Mr David Scott.

Announcing the appointments Dr Kirsty Coventry, challenged the board to come up with an arts strategy deriving from the national creative industries strategy.

“I expect you to come up with a visual arts strategy that derives from the overarching national creative industries strategy. The Government has two critical documents that you need to know as a board, these are the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Policy and the National Culture and Creative Industries Strategy.”

Cabinet recently approved the principles for the Arts and Culture Bill, which seeks to harmonise the laws on administration and structures of the sector.

Minister Coventry said visual arts were critical in the quest to attain an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“As you are aware, Government has clearly articulated the need to attain an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030 and this will be attained through a five-year development plan under the National Development Strategy,” she said.

“Within this framework, the visual arts are a critical vehicle for several areas like the national economy, employment creation, image building, strategic national rebranding and national building.”

To guarantee the development of quality products, the Government is keen to institutionalise quality training which would help reclaim the visual arts market and combat piracy.

Minister Coventry implored visual arts practitioners to utilise digital media platforms in showcasing their work.

NACZ MOURNS VETERAN JOURNALIST MAXWELL SIBANDA

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has learnt with deep shock and sadness, the tragic news of the passing on of the Daily News Assistant editor, Maxwell Sibanda (52).

Sibanda’s career in the media sector stretched over decades starting in 1994 where he worked for several magazines until he joined the Daily News at its inception. He previously served as the Newspaper’s Entertainment Editor.

Sibanda was an accomplished writer who published the book D’Zimbabwe – House Made of Stone. He also attended various writing programmes during his stay in Germany between 2006 to January 2007.

He was a dedicated journalist who plied his trade with conviction. He distinguished himself in the Zimbabwean media landscape and he has left a huge gap in the entertainment sector.

NACZ would like to convey its deepest condolences to the Sibanda family, his colleagues at the Daily News, and the entire Media fraternity in Zimbabwe.

May His Soul Rest in Peace

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES FACILITY FOR YOUNG INNOVATORS

The Ministry of Youth Sport Arts and Recreation is opening a platform for young innovators from all walks of life with an opportunity to showcase their work to the Government and stand a chance to secure technical and financial support for their innovations as part of this year’s National Youth Day Commemorations.

In a statement to the media, the minister of Youth Sport Arts and Recreation Dr. Kirsty Coventry said the ministry through the Zimbabwe Youth Council, National Arts Council, Sports and Recreation Commission, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe had lined up an online, two-day, fun-filled and enlightening programme to celebrate National Youth Day from 25-.26 February 2021.

“As Zimbabwe embarks on transforming into an upper-middle-class economy by 2030, this year’s celebrations will seek to capture the voices, actions and initiatives of young people to combat the pandemic and its effect s to retard socio-economic development,” she said.

The Minister said Zimbabwean youths have over the years showed an insatiable thirst to make the country the great place it is as they are innovative, valiant, and brilliant.

“The Ministry of Youth Sport Arts and recreation is proud of our youths and will take advantage of every opportunity to provide young people with opportunities for growth and participation in the broader national economy,” Dr. Coventry said.

The 21st of February is National Youth Day. The day was proclaimed and instituted by Government in 2017 in order for the nation to recognise and celebrate the contributions made by the youths throughout the history of the country as well as for the young people to recognise and emulate the leadership values which include: patriotism, self-sacrifice, hard work, respect, dignity, compassion among others.

Since then, the day has been commemorated annually and the youth in Zimbabwe have embraced this day as an opportune moment to celebrate the fruits of long and hard-won independence and to reflect on their contribution to national development.

Minister Coventry said Zimbabwe had not been spared from the devastations of the Corona Virus Disease of 2019, Covid-19.

“The pandemic has impacted on the lives and livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans. Young people who lead active and adventurous lives have been impacted the worst by the global pandemic. Ironically, as the world adjusts to a new normal where ICTs have become the answer to the demands of daily activities, it is the resilience, easy adaptation and innovativeness of young people that is called upon,” she said.

The minister said the government of Zimbabwe is ever cognizant of the ever-changing global trends and with it the needs and experiences of young people. She said the National Youth Day is a window of opportunity for engaging young people, to hear their views and opinions, to create a dialogue with the government aimed at bridging intergenerational gaps, and most importantly to act on the needs of every young person.

NACZ MOURNS SOUL JAH LOVE

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) says the death of Soul Musaka (31) aka Soul Jah Love has robbed the nation of one of its talented young musicians.

In a statement, NACZ Director, Nicholas Moyo said “Sauro” pioneered in the production and promotion of ZimdanceHall music from the high-density suburb of Mbare to national prominence.

“NACZ would like to convey its sincerest condolences to the Musaka Family following the sudden and untimely death of Soul Jah Love. May the family find solace in the comfort of the Lord”, Moyo said.

The Director said Jah Love emerged from a crop of youngsters who were hungry for success in the music industry with their mix of Jamaican-influenced reggae beats with Zimbabwean style lyrics which resonated with the experiences of the youth in the country.

“He was a talented musician who took the nation by storm with his innovative lyrics in songs like “Pamamonya Ipapo”, “Ndini Uya Uya”, “Fare Fare Tindike”, “Ndongosimudza Musoro” among a host of other compositions”, he said.

The statement said Soldier Love had left a big void in the Zimbabwe music and dancehall sector and he will be sorely missed by his legions of fans and the entire music fraternity in Zimbabwe.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

The Culture Fund launches CreativeACTIONs 2nd Call for Proposals

The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust today launched its 2nd Call for Proposals under the CreativeACTIONs project which seeks to strengthen capacities for Zimbabwean artists, cultural practitioners and institutions, creative civil society organizations, private operators involved in creative industries, arts associations and professional networks as well as arts education institutions.

In statement Mr Farai Mpfunya the Executive Director of Culture Fund Zimbabwe Trust said CreativeACTIONs aims to facilitate and strengthen the growth of Zimbabwe creative sector and their capacities to promote equitable access, inclusive participation and benefitting from artistic and cultural expressions by all citizens.

“It seeks to help improve social cohesion, gender equality and livelihoods. Projects implemented in the digital environment but impacting a diverse and wide range of publics will receive special consideration”, Mpfunya said.
Under the programme which is supported by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, only project proposals containing activities that fully comply with the COVID-19 guidelines and demonstrate adaptability to different stages of the lockdown measures by the government of Zimbabwe will be considered.

The statement outlined that project proposals may be submitted under two categories with the first category having a providing a grant minimum of USD6, 000 and a maximum amount of USD50, 000 with the indicative allocation for grants under this category at USD100, 000. Under the second category applicants can apply for minimum of USD500 and a maximum amount of USD5, 000 with the indicative allocation for grants under this category pegged at USD50, 000.

The deadline for submission of proposals is Thursday the 11th of March 2021 at 5pm and more information on application modalities can be accessed at https://www.culturefund.org.zw/ or info@culturefund.co.zw and the contact number for enquiries are +263 242794617 / +263 242794211.

THEATRE LEGEND DOUG HILL DIES

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has learnt with shock and sadness news of the passing on of Zimbabwe’s revered theatre guru and National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) winner, the Legendary Doug Hill (93).

NACZ Director Mr Nicholas Moyo says the death of Hill is a great loss to the entire arts industry.

“Doug was a true gentleman who dedicated his life to mentoring young theatre groups especially through his support of the Masvingo High school Drama festival”, he said.

The founding director of Charles Austin Theatre, in Masvingo, Hill’s career began in the then Umtali (Mutare), in the 1950s where from the onset he exhibited great ambition and instinct from staging his first production on a makeshift stage to being one of the cornerstones of Masvingo’s multi-award-winning drama company, the Masvingo Drama Circle, now the Masvingo Theatre and Arts Club.

Hill passionately advocated for the construction of the Charles Austin Theatre, Masvingo’s only theatre house, which was officially opened in 1974.

The late theatre practitioner is also a former mayor and alderman of Masvingo where he enjoyed a Freedom of the Municipality.

He is a former District Governor of the Rotary Club during the period when the District encompassed Zimbabwe, Malawi, Swaziland and a region of South Africa.

May his soul rest in Peace.

NACZ/PIFF LAUNCH ONLINE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR AFRICAN FILMMAKERS

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Piton International Film Festival (PIFF) have launched the PIFF “Africa 2021” a 12-month initiative that focuses on celebrating filmmaking and seeks to work collaboratively with filmmakers who are based in Africa.

PIFF Director Ed Herman “Umoja,” says PIFF “Africa 2021” is a unique opportunity for Filmmakers in that it focuses on education, collaboration, and celebration, instead of competition.
“Filmmakers will be able to work together to inspire and influence the global community in a positive and uplifting manner”, Herman said.

Farai Kupfavira the NACZ Provincial Arts Manager for Midlands says PIFF “Africa 2021” is one of the programmes which fall under the Memorandum of Understanding between NACZ and PIFF based in the United States of America (USA).
“The partnership aims to create and foster relationships amongst artists not only in Zimbabwe but also to have them engage with fellow artists beyond. Its programs are aimed at promoting African artists based in Africa to see their works showcased beyond their countries and the African continent. The program intends to push the essence and value of black culture and have it appreciated”, she said.

The focus of PIFF “Africa 2021” is to address the various aspects of the billion-dollar industry known as filmmaking as well as understanding filmmaking from “in front of the camera to behind the camera” through workshops and seminars.

Herman says the opportunity is aimed at assisting independent filmmakers with opportunities to expose and monetize their creative artworks as well as celebrating filmmaking in its various forms.

“PIFF-Africa 2021 is a family-friendly event that encourages unity within families, allowing them to watch, discuss, learn, and enjoy the films together”, he said.

Several Zimbabwean Artists have used the annual PIFF to premiere their productions. During the 2020 edition, which was hosted virtually due to the travel restrictions imposed by countries due to COVID-19, the late Thola “Osman” Banda premiered his short film “Disturbed” while Visual Artist Keith Zenda had a page created on the main festival website which showcases his work.

The NACZ/PIFF also held an international online Poetry Jam in November where over 15 participants from Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe showcased their talent. Through the Poetry Jam, a collective anthology of Poets who participated is currently under production and will be published shortly.

Filmmakers who want to take part in the mentorship programme can log on to https://filmfreeway.com/piffafrica for more details.

PIONEERING SCULPTOR TAKAWIRA SUCCUMBS TO COVID-19

The Director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Mr Nicholas Moyo says the late veteran Sculptor Lazarus Takawira who succumbed to COVID-19 in Harare on Wednesday, was a pioneering Sculptor whose sudden death is a big blow to the local arts industry.

In his message of condolences to the Takawira family, Mr Moyo said the late Lazarus (69) who was buried yesterday was a legend of Shona stone sculpture whose name is recognisable across the globe for his artworks.

“We would like to express its deepest sympathy and sorrow following the death of Lazarus Takawira, one of the country’s multi-award winning and foremost Visual Arts first generation sculptors”, the Director said.

Mr Moyo said Lazarus was a pioneer in the field of sculpture whose work is held in the permanent and overseas collections of the Zimbabwean National Gallery, as well as various public collections around the world, including the Musee du Rodin in Paris, The World Bank in New York, The Africa Museum in Belgium and the Museum of Mumbai, India.

“The death of Lazarus is a big blow to the arts fraternity in Zimbabwe and globally. While he began working in sculpture under his brother John’s guidance in the early 1970s over time his style, subject matter and approach changed considerably as he worked almost exclusively in Spring stone, an exceptionally hard and heavy local stone that gave his work a beautiful finish,” said Mr Moyo.

Takawira was born in 1952 in Nyanga the youngest in a family of four boys. He attended St. Paul’s Secondary School and joined the Police Force after completing his secondary education and received his training at Tomlison depot in Harare in 1970. By the time Lazarus joined the Police force his brothers John and Bernard were already beginning to establish themselves as prominent sculptors both locally and internationally.

During his career with the Police Force, Lazarus did a lot of sculpting in his spare time and his sculptures were exhibited in several exhibitions. In 1980 Lazarus left the force as he felt his work had gained sufficient acclaim to allow him to take up sculpting full time.

“His early work showed a definite influence by his brothers but as time went on his individuality began to come to the fore. He then developed an unmistakable style of his own, which brought him fame at home and abroad,” Mr Moyo said.

During his decades’ long career Takawira was a recipient of many local and international awards including the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) (2008), Award of Merit, Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe (1993), Award of Distinction, Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe(1991), Certificate of Excellence, Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe (1990), Award of Merit, Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe (1989), Certificate of Excellence, Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe (1988) and the Commission for Old Mutual, (1987).

He also participated in various local and International Solo and Group exhibitions including the “Spirit of a Woman”, Galerie Emil Julis, Černčice, Czechia (2009), Französische Botschaft, Harare, (1989) and the Standard Chartered Gallery, John Boyne House, (1987). Other exhibitions include the “Embracing the Spirit”, Henley on Thames, London, UK (2010), “Sculptors of Zimbabwe”, National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenia (2008) and the Minnesota Rocks International Stone Carving Symposium (2006) among others.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.

NACZ MOURNS MOURNS BUSINESSMAN AND MUSIC PROMOTER THOMPSON DONDO

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Says it is shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Businessman, Philanthropist and music Promoter Mr Thompson Dondo (48).

NACZ Director Mr Nicholas Moyo says the death of Mr Dondo has robbed the Arts fraternity of an all-weather friend who was always on standby to support artists and Arts projects.

“Mr Dondo was heavily involved in the Arts through his promotions company as well his other companies like Fast Fit Matlock and Impala which sponsored prominent Arts events including the National Arts Merit Awards,” Moyo said.

Mr Dondo was also instrumental in promoting his Son King 98 whose music has spread beyond the country including collaborations with prominent continental artists like Tanzanian Diamond Platinumz.

“On behalf of the Management and staff of the NACZ, stakeholders and the entire Arts fraternity, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the Dondo family following the passing on of one of the country’s foremost promoters of the Cultural and Creative Industries,” the Director said.

Mr Moyo said the late Mr Dondo had left a huge void in the Arts industry which had come to depend on his support.

“Mr Dondo was at the time actively involved in supporting practitioners in the CCI sector who were heavily affected by the COVID-19 restrictions by giving them food hampers and even supporting some to record their music. He has passed on at a time the industry needed someone like him for support,” he said.

Funeral arrangements for the late Dondo are yet to be announced. May his soul Rest In Peace