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Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe needs at least $50 000 to repair its old air conditioning, the institution’s deputy director Mr Raphel Chikukwa has said.

Despite the recent renovations, which gobbled up more than half a million dollars, the problems in the 55 year old building are far from over.

Speaking to The Herald Entertainment, Mr Chikukwa said the gallery had not had any major work done on it since its construction.

“This is an old building, which was established in the 50s and it has never had a major facelift. Recently we solved the problem of a leaking roof that has been there for so many years. We still have other challenges like the air conditioning and we need $50 000. We are therefore looking for more partners to help us to fully air condition this building,” he said.

He said they are still relying on the unit installed in the fifties which has become obsolete and totally unreliable.

As the norm, Mr Chikukwa admitted that in any museums and galleries challenges will always be there, though renovations are not a one-day off event, but a process.

Mr Chikukwa said one of their main problems has been dealt with, which was the leaking roof.

“Through the guidance of the executive director Mrs Doreen Sibanda, we were able to secure funding which was more than half a million from the Norwegian Embassy,” he said.

Mr Chikukwa said they are very appreciative to the embassy for availing the funds which enabled them as from last year up until early this year fixing the roof which was a complete overhaul.

“It was a complete overhaul and we were forced to remove the damaged waterproofing, replacing it with a new one. Later on we realised that the ceiling was also damaged so we replaced it using part of the Norwegian funding,” he said.

Mr Chikukwa added that the other problem was re-electrification, which is almost complete after securing $50 000 from the Oak Foundation.

“The major part of the re-electrification are done, we have removed the old main distribution board and put new ODBs around the gallery,” said Mr Chikukwa.

He ended by lobbying for Government and corporate world to come to their rescue in their day-to-day upgrading, which is an integral part in keeping the gallery in shape.