He described the arts sector in the eastern region as an “idle giant,” which “has great potential to mesmerize art lovers once awakened” by the establishment of the centre.
Having performed in Netherlands, South Africa, at HIFA and atChimanimani Arts Festival and brushed shoulders with outstanding artistes like Walter Mparutsa and Ngugi Wamiri, he vowed to use his influence and experience to give the province a mouth to mouth.
The thought-provoking poet, who is also Mutare Haarlem City-Link education art and culture coordinator, said, “The industry here lacks a lot of resources and corporate support. But I have big dreams for the arts industry in Manicaland. My biggest vision is to witness the establishment of a sound Arts Centre.”
“Talent is born and bred here and establishing it would resuscitate our arts sector to become vibrant as in other cities,” said Smomondo.
He said part of the roadmap would be to resuscitate all public halls. “There is need to resuscitate the use of community halls in Mutare – we have Courthauld Theatre, Sakubva and Dangamvura Beit halls.”
Since 2006 at City-Link, Smomondo has initiated several education and arts programmes with a bearing on community development – including the Damaarstraat Project sculptor programme which had the biggest consortium in Mutare ever to go to The Netherlands, as well as Theatre Exchange programmes and the Photographers Pilot Project.
They have also written projects like the Hunger for Books Campaign, constructed a Library in Hobhouse and are now working on introducing a pre-school in the same suburb.
Post published in: Entertainment