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Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Sculptor Melody Fombe believes the fight for corruption needs collective effort by all citizens. To him corruption is the worst enemy of economic growth and the development of Zimbabwe as a country. He has taken it upon himself to fight corruption through his stone carvings. Fombe, who is based at Chitungwiza Arts Centre, said he started doing pieces

themed on corruption after observing rampant corruption activities taking place in different entities. His outstanding piece on corruption, which is simply titled “Corruption” made from spring-stone has a man with gold tooth, holding a bag with money. It says it all. Fombe passionately explains that the piece tells a story of money monger, who is greedy and corrupt.

“When I did this piece I wanted to encourage people fight against corruption. It is not only for the President and his ministers to fight but a mandate for every citizen of the country to make sure he fights against it,” he said. The piece took him a month to complete and his hope is to see a corruption-free nation.

“When the nation becomes free from corruption, then everyone will be happy. That was my wish when I made this piece,” he said. The sculptor said that the piece has been considered for the International Exhibition to be held at the Arts Centre on October 26. “For us artists this is the beginning of brighter days because exhibitions are the way to go. We are hoping that the exhibition will bring relief to us,” he said.

Chairman of the Arts Centre Taurai Tigere said they were happy that the artists were working hard to produce meaningful pieces for the three day event. “We have our artists working hard. We are leaving no stone unturned in making sure that the event will be one of the biggest in the history of arts,” he said.

More than 200 artists have registered for the event that will see several stakeholders in the arts industry attending.