Zimpapers Logo

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
 YOUTHS in Manicaland have been urged to play an active role in the documentation of the country’s history, as part of their contribution to economic independence as Zimbabwe moves towards becoming a middle income economy by 2030.

Speaking at the second Independence Commemorations art exhibition held at the National Art Gallery in Mutare yesterday, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said visual artists had a role to play in depicting the current war for economic independence. “President Mnangagwa’s mantra is to put politics on the passenger seat and focus on economic development,” she said. “But economic development comes through technological innovations, entrepreneurship, hard work and creativity.

“We have passed the baton stick to you, young people and we expect you be innovative and take the country forward and bring economic independence.”

Minister Gwaradzimba said art was one of the best ways of preserving culture and called on young people to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

“A nation without a history is dead and non-existent because our history shapes our present and that shapes our future,” she said. “There is need to appreciate our identity and have pride in ourselves as black people, it is very critical. We need to preserve our own culture and be proud of who we are.

“When we talk of political independence, it begins with us knowing who we are, where we came from and where are we going as a country. You, the young ones, when you flaunt your culture, you hurt those who sacrificed their lives to bring independence.”

The exhibition, which was launched last year, is in sync with Independence celebrations set for April 18.

This year’s exhibition was held under the theme “Economic Independence”, showcasing a collection of stories by young visual artists from Chinhoyi University of Technology, with regards the current socio-economic situation and the journey towards attainment of the national vision of turning the nation into a middle income economy by 2030. Minister Gwaradzimba called for the National Gallery of Zimbabwe to bring the exhibition to the provincial Heroes Day commemorations at Sakubva stadium on April 18 to also share the liberation war story with the masses.

National Art Gallery regional manager Ms Elizabeth Muusha said the exhibition was showcasing economic independence from a fine arts point of view.

“We have partnered with Chinhoyi University to bring out the young people’s thinking on what they want President Mnangagwa to consider as he pushes to transform Zimbabwe into a middle income economy by 2030,” she said.

“But it is not enough to talk about Zimbabwe’s independence without speaking about our neighbours. The exhibition also depicts pictures that speak of how Mozambique helped us to be where we are.”