Where is the theatre association?

June 11, 2009 by zikandaba ·
Filed under: I was just thinking, Theatre

Zimbabwe is one of the greatest countries in Africa and the world over, its one country that is pregnant with hullabaloos, contradictions, opportunists, dictators feeding almost every news agency in the world with a story to tell and naturally feeding themselves with anything that comes across. This is a rare talent that most Zimbabweans have, its greatness thrust upon them to identify an opportunity, loophole or pothole and use it wisely – not necessarily the correct definition of ‘wise’ according to oxford dictionary.

From the political crisis/impasse, to the economic decline/decay, to humanitarian total collapse right through the inclusive government - a story has been told but one thing that has been given little notice is that Zimbabwe has the finest brains to plan strategize but explicitly the worst implementers. This has been one element that has immensely contributed to the collapse of the country as it has spread like cholera across the whole country leaving nothing but trail of untamed disaster.

In 2008 we had some theatre practitioners namely going around the country mobilizing for a theatre association that seeks to address burning issues affecting theatre practitioners. Actors and actresses who have been grossly affected by shortchanging producers were eager to see a body that will protect them and most importantly help the theatre fraternity grow shaping a new and sustainable future in Theatre arts. A noble idea indeed thought and initiated by prominent artists with a vision to set new inclinations.

On the 10th of October 2008 I wrote an article that received many comments, speculations and to some it was a direct insult with the headline –Formation of theatre association a fallacy. Well I need not to defend my article as the events and time has proven that indeed it is a fallacy or just a money making project for a few individuals. With all due respect to the initiators they did a fabulous job in initiating and sharing an idea that indeed was long overdue.

I am adequately informed that at the National Indaba held late last year in 2008 a committee was formed to spearhead this operation clamping down social commenter’s like myself and deliver an association that will inspire even the President of this country. It comprises of chairman Josh Nyapimbi of Nhimbe Trust, Vice-chairman Jasen Mphepo of Patsime Trust, Walter Muparutsa (Global Arts Trust) , Samuel Ravengai (UZ Theatre Arts Department), Chiedza Makowe, Mandla Ncube (Pamberi Trust), Obrian Mudyiwenyama ( Rooftop Promotions), Eresina Hwede and musician-cum-actor Friday Mbirimi.

When I heard about this I was very confident and excited that these high-quality professionals would deliver what Zimbabwean theatre practitioners have been craving for a long time, I couldn’t wait to witness the shift of Zimbabwean theatre, it was a moment to pay tribute to all the theatre practitioners who died paupers as Theatre guru Cont Mhlanga would like to articulate it and most importantly a moment to re-brand, re-strategize, develop and give direction to theatre arts in Zimbabwe.

Theatre arts is lucrative business all over the world and with the 2010 world cup around the corner it is a rare opportunity to market Zimbabwean arts and a prospect to show the world what we can do even if we are in a country that is in a dire state but most importantly and constructively as a tool to reunite Zimbabwe and drive national reconciliation, healing regional and international integration as PM Morgan Tsvangirai would like to put it and perhaps defend and protect our national sovereignty and integrity as theatre is not only a language understood but a language we enjoy to listen to coined and presented in an artistic manner bringing about democratic space ,dialogue, artistic expression, artistic freedom, artistic creativity and artistic orgasm to help untangle Zimbabwe’s wars affecting the people. Not to all does it ring a bell like that, to some it’s a perfect opportunity to abuse tax payers money from other counties like Sweden, Denmark and Belgium who have supported most cultural and developmental activities in Zimbabwe also questioning Zimbabwean government why it has not used tax payers money to support the arts in Zimbabwe?

‘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 statement above from my previous contribution evolved to some as a mere joke that sort to diminish the initiated idea of a theater association and pull down processes to see the theatre fraternity grow and make huge strides in the arts.

I am however not apologetic nor sympathetic and would like to ask simple questions to the committee that was put in place to drive the theatre association hoping they won’t give docile feed back if they do at all.

Where are the Zimbabwe theatre association’s offices?
How does one become a member and what criteria is needed for one to join?
What has the Zimbabwe Theatre Association done in mobilizing artists around the country and most importantly identifying talent at marginalized areas?
What sort of training and skills development programs have you conducted?
How far has the association gone in organizing events particularly the theatre festival?
Did you receive funding and who is administering and monitoring those funds?
Are you committed to the work you are doing?

These might seem to be multitudes of work but also we should take into consideration that the first 100 days since the committee was put in place have passed and still there isn’t any sign of progress. If they could just answer me these seven basic questions maybe I could have an understanding of what is happening or they could also have the light to understand the sort of incompetence they are swimming in, we don’t want our children and grand children to ask why we failed to implement noble ideas that have been tabled due to greed and gross incompetence. We need to leave a legacy of professionalism, hard work and commitment to deliver.

In conclusion this initiative will never work as long as greed, incompetence and selfishness prevail in the team that should be delivering change to the theatre fraternity. Accountability, close monitoring and spirit of developing the arts should be values that are stuck in our hearts and in all our energies.

Nozindaba Zikandaba

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