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Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
LOCAL authorities in Mashonaland West have been challenged to provide space for art hubs as the sector is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing devolution.

Speaking at the inaugural Mashonaland West Music and Arts Festival in Chinhoyi recently, Provincial Affairs Minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said business should invest in the arts sector.

She urged people in Mashonaland West to embrace artists and their works, while urging the business community to explore investment opportunities that the creative industry offers.

“I would like to urge all local authorities in Mashonaland West province to avail working space to serve as hubs where artistic talent is nurtured and developed,” she said.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said art and culture were expected to play a key role in the roll-out and success of devolution.

Turning to the Music and Arts Festival which was organised by the Mashonaland West Show Society, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, she said the event should feature on the annual calendar.

“I would like to commend the concrete steps taken towards improving the ease of doing business by the Mashonaland West Show Society and ministries of Government in coming up with the festival,” she said.

“Ease of Doing Business does not start with us being nice to the investors, but being nice to each other in our various departments. Next year, I trust that the festival will be at the same level as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).”

She said the Chinhoyi Showgrounds which traditionally have only hosted the Chinhoyi Agricultural Show should move a gear and be a hive of activity throughout the year.

Mashonaland West Show Society president Mr Godfrey Mavankeni said the festival was a response to President Mnangagwa’s call for provincial show societies to remain vibrant.

“As show societies we have to move away from a situation where we close our gates once the annual show is over,” he said. “We are ready to play our part in devolution and contribute to the provincial Gross Domestic Product.”

Mr Mavankeni called on companies to build permanent structures at the showgrounds for everyday use.

The festival saw various performing artists exhibiting. It was organised in collaboration with the Chinhoyi University of Technology School of Creative Art and Design, which also staged a modelling showcase with clothes designed by students.