Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture is eager to assist several cultural activities and institutions in the country through the culture policy that will be unveiled soon. This was said by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa during his tour at Mbira Centre on Wednesday.
Minister Langa said the policy will cater for several issues including assistance for such institutions. “We are working on the culture policy and very soon it will be made available. “It is almost complete and it will be taken through Cabinet.
“It captures issues such as funding for artistes and arts centres after we realised that they cannot grow alone without our help,” he said. The minister hailed the Mbira Centre for preserving the country’s heritage and culture. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for preserving our culture,” he said.
During the tour he was taken to the workshop at the centre where different types of mbiras are made and to the storeroom where he was shown mbiras from different parts of Africa. “This must be documented because it is part of our culture and will be useful in the coming generations.
“If you need any help in the process please feel free to engage the ministry,” he said. He also pledged to engage the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Lazarus Dokora in creating a market place for the centre. The centre’s director Albert Chimedza applauded the minister for coming to take note of their grievances.
He asked the minister to assist in having mbira declared a national asset, the launch of mbira institute and to have the mbira month declared official. The minister further pledged his ministry’s support for the forthcoming Mbira Month which is held in September. The Mbira Centre is home to various kinds of the mbira instrument from different dialects in the country. Also part of the tour were artistes Dominic Benhura, Chido Musasiwa, Sekuru Gweshe and officials from the National Arts Council.