MUTARE – OUTSPOKEN musician cum politician
Hosiah Chipanga has said artists in Zimbabwe will continue to wallow in poverty
if arts and recreation minister, Kirsty
Coventry, does not change the poor governance system in the arts sector.
In an interview on Tuesday, Chipanga said the old governance system that has
been impeding local artists from realising economic gains seem to have not changed from the previous
government headed by Robert
Mugabe.
The candid Chipanga said government’s constant failure to recognize the arts
and entertainment as a serious business sector has made it impossible to
eradicate poverty on the artists.
Chipanga said:
“There are a lot of expectations
within her (Coventry)
ministry. She has made promises to improve the arts sector but this sector has
a myriad of challenges. The current policies, if not, would dent Coventry’s
efforts of improving the industry.”
He added that Coventry’s delivery is largely determined by a number of factors,
chief among them effective sports and arts policy implementation.
“Even if she was an angel from Heaven
there was nothing much she could have helped without a changed system of
governance. The Zimbabwe problems and challenges have much to do with the
system rather than the individual ministers,” explained the Kwachu Kwachu
hit
maker.
“It is impossible to eradicate poverty
within the artists in the country due to lack of sound economic policies and
general poor governance, among several other issues,” he added.
The gifted composer said a lot of Zimbabweans artists could make a living from
the arts and entertainment sector if there was a drastic change in the system
of governance and implementation of sound
policies crafted to suit the smooth operation of the arts sector.
“It is high time that the government
takes our arts seriously. The government must now classify the arts and
entertainment as an industry,” he said.
The musician said notwithstanding the poor governance, the system was also
characterized by corruption.
Coventry said her ministry will create empowerment for youth through sport,
arts and recreation through creating platforms and support to athletes and
artists for them to grow and be recognized
internationally.
