Amakhosi Cultural Centre director Cont Mhlanga has reacted angrily to the recent announcement by government that
as part of its response to assist those affected by the pandemic, a total of 2 548 athletes and 867 artists benefitted from the tune of ZW$11.8 million under the Athletes and Artists COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The Zambezi Times, below shares the unedited version of Mhlanga’s response to government
THE efforts of government to assist artists affected by the Covid pandemic is applauded although it is clear from the statistics that athletes (2 548) are favoured ahead of creative artists (867) who benefitted from the ZW11.8 million.
Is this because the Hon Minister responsible for Arts and Culture is herself a distinguished athlete who does not have any romantic history of association with the cultural creative industries but only with Olympic sports, and is not part of African culture and traditions to accord them the value they deserve in our society?
We expected a 50/50 distribution of the fund between the departments of Arts, Culture and Sports and not this shocking marginalisation of arts and culture by our government, a black liberation led government. Our African Arts and culture and Creatives got similar marginalisation from white settler colonial governments of the years only to get the same or worse under black rule majority governments. This is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently.
Accountability of the 867 artists who benefited from this public fund will be of next interest to us in the cultural creative industries sector. We call upon the
and the National Arts Gallery of Zimbabwe to furnish the cultural creative industry sector with a breakdown of who got what support and what amount by Province and by the cultural creative industries sub sectors.
Again this support to the sector is very much appreciated.
khulu Cont Mhlanga
