Formation of theatre association a fallacy
Filed under: Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Opinion, Analysis, Advice
The arts industry in Zimbabwe is one that is thriving in some sections though generally low in many sections especially theatre. I must say I had an overwhelming anticipation of the consultative meetings that had been held around the country, consulting theatre practitioners if they see a need for a theatre association. This was organized by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe with the help of Global Arts Productions, chaired by Nicholas Moyo - Asst director for arts development and promotion.
I feel that many actors and other practitioners did not understand what it meant to have an association, the main confusion is on its role and how it will benefit artists, some think that it should subsidize their day to day activities while some take it as a retirement pension association that will look after them when they retire and grow older. Well I don’t want to dwell on this today but I feel it should be known that an association broadly looks at the formation of an industry that is viable and vibrant hence creates jobs for them to make money and not suffer for individuals who did not make hay whilst the sun shined.
However I am very worried about the process that has been enacted to try and form an association that will bring the theatre fraternity to life. The ideas and suggestions put in place by participants revealed a huge need for an association and the commitment was overwhelming. Theatre practitioners around the country that I spoke to were very happy about this process and expressed full participation of whatever is needed to make this work.
For the first time for as long as I can remember the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has come with an initiative that seems to assist, benefit and brings light to many artists who have cried foul over many things. My honest opinion is that the National Arts Council has since the beginning of its existence seemed like a confused body, a body that has just been there for no purpose at all but spend tax payers money. Even now it seems confused , toothless and continues to guzzle tax payers money but we hope it has found a good dentist to help them formulate good strategies to develop and promote the arts.
We have also seen many projects of this sort of forming unions and associations come to play whenever there is loose money somewhere and it is good to note that Africalia from Belgium and Culture Fund of Zimbabwe are willing to fund this initiative if it comes to life.
I am very sure that on paper this will come to life but I am not entirely sure if it will practically function and serve its purpose.
The way it I see it is that already somewhere somehow it has been structured and awaits inauguration after some riggings at the National Indaba to be held somewhere in Harare where few will attend and hence make it easier to steal the association.
We have seen some leaders in the arts take some initiatives that fail at idea level yet they have been whistle-blown to the public, you will also note that Cont Mhlanga once accused some Harare opportunists in lack of consistency and shortchanging actors.
“What kind of union works only when international donors put in money and if that money dries out the union weathers out…”
- Cont Mhlanga
He went on and said:
“Recently when an international donor put money in the long awaited for dream union in Harare, a four star workshop/seminar was organized for all stakeholders in the sector. I waited with hope for the outcome and resolutions….”
Now we have the National Arts Council and Global Arts roaming around saying they are consulting with various stakeholders in the spirit of forming a theatre association. Do they honestly think we are fools that we can not read between the lines that it’s a money making project. We have seen the zeal and effort that NAC and Global Arts puts whenever there is lots of money involved. Why don’t they address those issues whenever there are no funds.
Why do they always shy away from artists and meetings that are developmental but appear because they want to benefit on behalf of the artists. This kind of unprofessional behavior has to stop. We will make sure it does stop. Why were major players in the Theatre fraternity not invited? You can never talk of theatre in Zimbabwe and not involve Rooftop Promotions or Amakhosi Theatre. That would be a complete insensible joke. I must warn those that think this association will be a money making project that we will keep a close eye on them and bring to book those who mislead people whilst dining and wining on their behalf.
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I think the arts fraternity in Zimbabwe is generally disorganised. With all due respect to you Zikandaba, if artists got better organsied they could put pressure on the National Arts Council to deliver certain things.
There is no way the National Arts Council can continue to provice a shoddy service if its major stakeholders- the artists- speak as one voice demanding a higher standard of service.