“NACZ is so concerned with registering promoters and artist bodies but other than that there is nothing really for the artists,” says Arts journalist Trevor Makonyonga.
Popular actor and theatre director Silvanos Mudzvova said NACZ which is a government linked organisation should advocate for favourable working condition.
“What NACZ should do is advocate for charities like lotteries to pay a certain percentage towards arts and culture, and give tax incentives to organisations that fund arts programmes. In the past they have managed to remove import duty for artists importing equipment – but it should not have ended there,” he said.
Visual artist and manager of Mokoomba, Marcus Gora, said members of NACZ should be artists themselves, not government appointees.
“My biggest concern is that all appointments into to the NACZ board are done by the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture. At least half should come from consultations with artists because this top-down approach has not produced the best results”
Meanwhile Stuart Mwale encouraged artists to engage the arts council. “The problem here is not about money but engagement, innovation and passion for excellence. Let’s stop talking about each other but talk to each other,” he said.
“Remember its role as a mother body is to regulate and develop. If a mother fails to raise money to send her daughter to school (develop), should that mean she loses her right discipline (regulate) her child?” asked Mwale
Post published in: Entertainment