Midlands Authorities Urged to Build Modern Theatres

By Kwedu Reporter

Gweru - Midlands local authorities have been challenged to construct state-of-the-art theatre facilities that will enable artists to showcase the province’s rich cultural heritage and stimulate economic growth.

The call was made by Florence Mukanga, Arterial Network Zimbabwe (ANZ) Coordinator, during a workshop evaluating the implementation of the National Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy (2020–2030).

The participatory dialogue brought together 42 artists and arts practitioners from diverse genres to reflect on policy impact over the past five years.

Mukanga lamented the poor state of theatre infrastructure in Gweru, warning that it undermines the quality of performances by seasoned artists.

“I saw professional artists like Chirikure Chirikure, Aron Chiundura Moyo and your own veteran poet Mbizo Chirasha performing at high-profile platforms, for example at Hivos functions where they gave their best performance.

"But if you take for example theatre guru like one of our facilitators here present, Daniel Maposa, and make him perform at this Gweru facility you will go out thinking they all know nothing because of the poor state of the infrastructure,” she said.

She contrasted Zimbabwe’s situation with South Africa’s “awesome” theatres, which she said show the will of those responsible to promote the arts.

Veteran theatre expert, Daniel Maposa, urged artists to find innovative ways to commercialise their work while pressing government to adopt flexible and sound cultural policies.

“We are here to evaluate policy implementation and impact on the sector with special emphasis on job creation, trade and investment, social cohesion and macro-economic contribution.

"The evaluation will propose alternative policy and governance models and reflect on key successes around creation of decent work and economic growth.

“This will help local artists celebrate our identity, who we are, where we are coming from and where we are heading to.

"This day gives us an opportunity for social and cultural expression, integration and cohesion through languages, values, customs and norms," Maphosa said

Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association Production Manager, Siphosami Ndlovu, challenged Gweru City Council to follow Bulawayo City Council’s example in genuinely promoting arts and culture.

“Art should not just exist in a vacuum. It is not just for our pleasure. The richness of our art and culture should play a major role in the boosting of our economy.

"I have absolutely no doubt that if we promote our art and culture, its richness and its diversity, we will get greater numbers of tourists who come here.

“We will get more people who come and buy our artefacts that our great Midlands artists create. They will also get to see the greatness of our Midlands Province, especially its great environment such as the Naletale Ruins and the larger Danamombe and Insukamini ruins,” he said.

Provincial Arts and Culture Officer, Reward Shockson joined in, noting the potential for Gweru to become an arts hub but highlighting the need for commercial strategies.

“The city claims to explore cultural value chains, but we need to see concrete evidence of budgetary commitments to arts promotion.

"If we ask the city how much they invested in arts and culture development and how much they budgeted for this year and next year they won’t tell,” he said.

He added that Bulawayo’s revitalised home industries, which equipped beneficiaries with raw materials and training, should serve as a model for enhancing Gross Domestic Product contributions through arts and culture.

Workshop coordinator Noreen Mutera described the gathering as transformative.

“It was an eye-opening workshop, especially for us as a province. Attendees gained knowledge that I believe will shape their creative platforms for the better.

"This workshop has left us with a task as a province, and I believe that with unity, Midlands will rise again.

"The attendance was impressive; we had artists who came from as far as Gokwe North, Mberengwa, and Zvishavane,” she said.

Midlands State University lecturer and theatre expert, Muchineripi Gwarinda, emphasized the importance of integrating arts development into local and national government frameworks.

“Gweru’s arts, culture and heritage growth would boost talent, innovation and national pride,” he said.

Gwarinda believes arts and culture strengthen social unity and showcase Zimbabwe’s identity.

The workshop coincided with ANZ’s launch. The initiative was supported under CreativeACTIONs2 funded by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe for the organisation to evaluate the country’s cultural and creative industries policies since 2020.

The initiative aims to propose alternative governance models, measure impact on economic growth, and anchor Zimbabwe’s strategies on international best practices adapted to local realities.